Customer Reviews

Route 66 Across Arizona : A Comprehensive Two-Way Guide for Touring Route 66 (Arizona and the Southwest)

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The Mangums have another hit. This is exactly the sort of book Route 66 travellers have been waiting for. "Route 66 Across Arizona" is a very user friendly guide book that gives accurate, detailed directions to the existing sections of Route 66 across Arizona. I have tried several of their tours, and found them to be exactly as described. There are good maps, some history and local color, and perhaps best, recommended stops along the way. "Route 66 Across Arizona" beautifully updates Jack Rittenhouse's 1946 "Guide Book to Highway 66" and provides a practical foundation for many other books about Route 66.

Best of the best ! If you plan on traveling Route 66 in Arizona...this is a no brainer. Great photos, easy to follow directions...both East to West and West to East, color coded. From folks that live in and know AZ....not just passing thru.

I was fortunate enough to buy this book just before my family's summer drive on 66. I'm definitely glad I did! This book made my family's drive along Route 66 in Arizona into a real adventure road trip.
I have read most of the national and state guides for the Mother Road, but this is definitely one of the very best. The Mangums have included all the alignments of the old Road, have them color coded and dated, and even include journeys for 4WD vehicles and bicycles on Route 66. I never would have found some of these alignments with the standard maps and guides.
One particular favorite was the old 1930s alignment between the Monte Carlo exit on I-40 (149) and the Welch exit (151) farther east. It was potholed and torn up, but I really felt like I was experiencing the real Route 66.
The book's recommendations for hotels, cafes, and attractions were extremely helpful. Also, unlike most Route 66 guides, this book describes the trip going in both directions!

Travelers will enjoy this fun and colorful book to Route 66 in Arizona. Authors Richard and Sherry Mangum have filled the pages with fascinating stories and helpful travel hints to help you rediscover the delights of slowly motoring down the "Mother Road." While wandering through the book, you'll find many detours, historic and modern photos, maps, museums, and little-known bits of history.

"Route 66 Across Arizona" is a must guide for those traveling across northern Arizona - especially users of I-40, which largely parallels the old Route 66.

As a regular traveler in that area who has already undertaken a fair amount of research and exploration on Route 66, I can personally attest for its general accuracy (not 100% though - time changes most everything) and usefulness. The most substantive update I would offer is to definitely stop at Two Guns - it is no longer fenced, readily accessible, full of history, and quite interesting. The second suggestion is that Route 66 Padre Canyon Bridge (circa 1914) is much more easily accessed by parking off I-40 at the West side of the I-40 bridge, and walking North - don't take too long, though, or the Highway Patrol will tow your vehicle. (Similarly, the Painted Desert Trading Post is more easily visited by parking off I-40 just East of Dead River, and hiking North for about one-half mile.)

Again, great material for both the novice Route 66 traveler, or one who has "been there before."

I've used just about every guidebook for Rt. 66 and this may be the best. Excellent photography, detailed text, recommendations for casual drives as well as rough, 4wd only trails. And best of all, half the book is laid out for traveling east, and half of the book laid out for traveling west.

It's a few years old now, but still entirely useful! Highly recommended!