Biking Oatman Hwy

Bikers on the Oatman, Arizona road.

Route 66 near Valentine

Biking on Oatman Hwy

Bikers going up Oatman, Arizona

Photo CreditDavid Manley

Oatman Hwy in bloom

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There’s a long history of steel horses galloping down the Mother Road, as memorably captured by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper in the 1969 cult classic Easy Rider. Since then, much of Route 66 has been decommissioned, broken up, bypassed… there’s just a lot less available for two-wheeled rides.

Arizona is the one exception, boasting the longest remaining stretch of America’s Main Street, 158 miles of it. If you’re looking for a great ride, there are two on Old 66, or choose from one of our other top picks for the best motorcycle rides in Northwest Arizona.

1. Oatman Highway (Historic Route 66) to Topock at the Colorado River: Predating the inception of the Route 66 in 1926, this road was built for the stream of prospectors looking to stake a claim in the Oatman Gold Rush of 1902. It is the same Mother Road that John Steinbeck wrote about in Grapes of Wrath, and best symbolizes Route 66 of the 1930's. It about a 55-mile ride from Kingman to the Colorado River at Topock via Old Route 66, so plan for 1.5 hours of ride time one way. Speed limits range from 20-45 mph. You can stop at Topock 66 to refresh before riding off into the sunset.  Need directions to Oatman? Stop by the Kingman Visitor Center (located across from Locomotive Park at 120 W. Andy Devine) for an Arizona 66 Passport, directions to Oatman and suggestions along the ride.
2. Route 66 to Seligman:  It’s a leisurely 87-mile ride from Kingman to Seligman. The roadscape is akin to scenes from a 1950’s-1960's family road trip out west to the Grand Canyon or California. Just head East out of Kingman on Andy Devine Ave. (aka Route 66). The speed limit is 65 miles/hour on the open road. In towns, it slows down to 35 mph. Plan for 1.5 hours of ride time one way, plus time to see the sights.
3. Hualapai Mountain & DW Ranch Roads: This is an easy 40 minute (25 mile) round-trip cruise. From Kingman, take Hualapai Mountain Road to DW Ranch Road (in 10.5 miles). From here, either turn left and return to Kingman via DW Ranch Road and I-40 (another 14 miles), or continue another 4 miles to Hualapai Mountain Resort (4525 Hualapai Mountain Rd) to quench your thirst or get a bite. With elevations ranging from 4984’ to 8417’, the Hualapai Mountains are a direct contrast to the desert landscape below, with curvy roads flanked by pine and juniper.
4. Stockton Hill & Pierce Ferry Roads to Meadview:  This 70-minute (60 miles one way) ride on Stockton Hill Road escorts riders through portions of the 1857 Beale Wagon Trail, pristine Arizona desert, farm land, the rugged Cerbat Mountain Range, and Red Lake salt flat. To get there, head North on Stockton Hill Road. Follow the road unit it ends (41.5 miles) then turn right on Pierce Ferry Road and continue 17 miles to the Meadview turn-off. Be careful to observe the speed-limits (from 35 to 55 mph) as the ride takes you over several cattle guards and through working ranch lands and open range.
5. London Bridge at Lake Havasu & Parker: This 2-hour ride (103 miles one way) takes you past London Bridge, along the Bill Williams River tributary, and into Parker. Follow I-40 west, turn south on AZ Hwy 95 (Exit 9) toward Lake Havasu City. Return to AZ 95 South through Lake Havasu AZ 95 to Parker, AZ. Stop by the Colorado River's oldest drinking establishment, Fox’s RV Park Floating Bar (6350 Riverside Dr. ), just 10 miles north of Parker or continue to Parker and get a great burger or sandwich at the Crossroads Café (612 S California Ave).

Article updated with current information in 2024. Originally published April, 2017.

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To see more interesting facts, visit our Fun Facts page