Travelzoo Best Bets: Where to Go in 2026 with Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona

A century-old highway is about to steal the spotlight again. In episode three of our 10-part Travelzoo Best Bets Series, Dan and Travelzoo Senior Editor (and co-host) Gabe Saglie head to Arizona’s storied stretch of Route 66 with guest Nikki Terlesky, Director of Operations for the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. Together, they explore why the Mother Road still embodies freedom, spontaneity, and Americana—especially as the U.S. approaches its 250th birthday. From neon-lit motor lodges to desert bends that test your steering, this is road-tripping at its most evocative.

You’ll get a practical 2026 game plan: the best times to go, how weather shifts with elevation from Kingman to Flagstaff, and how to layer in icons like the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Meteor Crater.