Route 66 Oatman Road Back Country Byway | Arizona
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Route 66 was one of America's first transcontinental highways, linking Chicago and Los Angeles with nearly 400 miles passing through Arizona. Along its path, it linked the "Main Streets" of towns and cities.
This 42-mile stretch of two-lane paved blacktop in Arizona is one of the last and best-preserved segments of the original Route 66. Almost all variety of vehicles are suitable to traverse the segment however wider vehicles (e.g., RVs) should use caution. The segment also has a length requirement of no more than 40 feet over Sitgreaves Pass between Golden Valley and the historic ghost town of Oatman There is signage in Golden Valley to remind travelers of the restrictions.
The byway passes through public and private lands, wilderness, valleys, and Main Streets. Please respect all lands and property. Signs posted along the byway range from 20 to 45 miles per hour, obey all posted signs and traffic laws. Any road-worthy vehicle can drive the byway since it is paved asphalt, but automatic transmission is recommended due to steep grades.
This portion of the highway once included one of the most fearsome obstacles for "flatland" travelers in the 1930s. These include the hairpin curves and steep grades of Sitgreaves Pass, which characterize Old Route 66 as it makes its way over the Black Mountains of western Arizona.
The Route 66 Historic Back Country Byway passes between the Mount Nutt Wilderness and the Warm Springs Wilderness. Visitors can admire the Black Mountains along the way.
Along the byway, mileposts 15, 17.1, 33.8 and 34.7 all provide access to the Warm Springs Wilderness, which offers offer outstanding opportunities for primitive recreation like dispersed camping, hiking, and horseback riding. Four-wheel drive is required for all access routes to the wilderness.
Nearby attractions and amenities include Oatman and the downtown Kingman Visitor Center.
Hours and Seasons
The Route 66 Historic Back Country Byway is open all year although the best time to visit is October through April.
Attractions and Features
- Cultural and historic sites including Oatman, AZ, a historic mining town.
- Natural attractions including the Black Mountains
- Scenic driving along a segment of one of the longest and best preserved Route 66 sections remaining
Byway Designation
Route 66-Oatman Road Back Country Byway was officially designated on February 8th, 1993. This designation is in recognition of the historic value of the area encompassing some of the best-preserved road of its time with educational values of these man-made roads and the natural areas these roads pass through. As a Type I byway, this route is open to vehicles of all kinds, but high-clearance vehicles are required for offroad exploration, and vehicles over 40 feet in length are not permitted along the majority of this route. The byway is managed by the BLM Kingman Field Office.
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Directions
The Route 66 Historic Back Country Byway begins five miles south of Kingman at the McConnico exit (exit 44) off Interstate 40. To begin at the southern end, exit off Interstate 40 at the Topock/Golden Shores exit (exit 1). Switchbacks access Oatman and the mining community of Goldroad.