Review: Historic Route 66 Motel—Seligman, AZ
Staying in Seligman is a must if you’re traveling on Route 66. This town is special because it's widely considered the birthplace of the Route 66 revival movement.
When Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985, Seligman’s own Angel Delgadillo, a barber and lifelong resident, spearheaded efforts to preserve the road’s legacy. His activism helped save the history, culture, and tourism value of the Mother Road, leading to the creation of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona.
Today, Seligman is a living time capsule, full of colorful nostalgia, neon signs, classic diners, vintage cars, and kitschy roadside attractions. Visitors can experience the quirky, small-town Americana vibe that made Route 66 world-famous. It's not just a place to pass through—it's a place to slow down and feel the soul of Route 66.
During our stay in Seligman over the RoadRUNNER Route 66 tour, we chose to park our bikes and butts at the Historic Route 66 Motel. The staff was friendly and the check‑in was effortless.
We left our bikes right in front of the ground‑floor room and unpacked easily. The rooms have all the modern comforts: cozy beds, very cold air conditioning, Wi‑Fi, mini‑fridge, and coffee maker. There was plenty of gear space, and lots of sockets to charge our electronics.
After unpacking, we walked the Seligman strip checking out all the Route 66-themed shops and attractions. Some of the vintage shops had a variety of interesting items, including retro motorcycles.
We stopped in at the Route 66 Roadrunner store, which is a cross between a general store and cafe. How could we skip visiting our namesake?
After exploring the town, we found our way back to the motel, where several other travelers were gathered outside discussing their plans for the next day. If there’s anything we’ve learned about staying at small motor lodges along Route 66, it’s that although the people you meet might all be on a different journey, we all have one thing in common. We’re all looking for an authentic Route 66 experience.
We slept like rocks in our quiet, cool rooms, and woke to early sun glistening off the Harley-Davidsons parked outside. It was time to hit the Mother Road yet again.
Facts & Info
Amenities
- Park directly at your door
- Easily accessible ground‑floor rooms
- Spacious rooms with mini‑fridge, coffee maker, outlets
- Classic Route 66-style decor
- Adjoining diner with discounts for motel guests
- Reliable Wi‑Fi and air conditioning
- Clean, comfortable beds and modern baths
Nearby Attractions
- Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive‑In
- Seligman Commercial Historic District
- Angel Delgadillo’s barber shop and gift store
- The Roadkill Cafe next door
Nearby Roads
The Historic Route 66 Motel sits right on the original Mother Road in Seligman. It’s a prime base for cruising this iconic highway through timeless desert landscapes and quirky roadside attractions. US Route 66 westward toward Kingman offers wide skies, minimal traffic, and true Americana.
To the south, between Prescott and Flagstaff, are SR 89 and 89A, which provide tight mountain twisties with incredible views. Ride carefully, though, as the pavement can be in questionable condition.
SR 64, heading north from Williams, is another worthwhile ride. It’s straight as an arrow, but that arrow lands you on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Enough said.
Food & Dining
Seligman’s culinary scene delivers classic diner fare and local Route 66 flavor, especially at roadside staples featuring burgers, shakes, and light regional touches. We had dinner at the Roadkill Cafe which was right next door to the motel. Find it at 22830 W SR 66, Seligman, AZ.
Other options include Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In (301 SR 66, Seligman, AZ) and the Route 66 Roadrunner cafe (22330 W SR 66, Seligman, AZ).
Price
Approximately $98–$110 per night, depending on season
Location
Find it at 22750 W SR 66, Seligman, AZ.