My Favourite Route 66 Detour

One of the great joys of driving Historic Route 66 is that it teaches you when to follow the line… and when to break away from it. Northern Arizona is the perfect example. Every time I reach Williams, I take the same detour, and I never regret it. What begins as a short diversion off the Mother Road becomes one of the most spectacular scenic loops in the American Southwest.

This is my favourite Route 66 detour: Williams to Sedona, back north to the Grand Canyon, on to Page, and finishing in Monument Valley. It’s a journey through red rock country, deep canyons, desert skies and landscapes so iconic they feel almost unreal.

Williams is classic Route 66 through and through. Neon signs, historic buildings, diners, souvenir shops and that unmistakable feeling that you’ve stepped into a living postcard. It’s also perfectly placed—sitting right on the Mother Road and acting as a natural gateway to northern Arizona’s greatest landscapes.

This is where I leave Route 66 for a while. Not because Williams isn’t worth lingering in—it absolutely is—but because from here you can experience some of the most dramatic scenery in the United States without straying too far from the spirit of the road.

From Williams, the road leads south toward Sedona, and the scenery begins to change almost immediately. Pine forests thin out, colours deepen, and before long the famous red rock formations start to rise on the horizon. Sedona never fails to impress. No matter how many times you visit, the first sight of those towering sandstone formations still stops you in your tracks.

Sedona itself is a fascinating place to explore. Whether you wander through town, stop at one of the many viewpoints, or simply park up and soak in the scenery, it feels like a world away from the blacktop and neon of Route 66—yet it fits perfectly into the wider road‑trip story.

One of the highlights of this detour—and arguably one of the most beautiful drives in Arizona—is Oak Creek Canyon on State Route 89A. This stretch of road between Sedona and Flagstaff is not just a way to get from A to B; it is the experience.

The road winds through a deep canyon lined with cliffs, trees and flowing water. There are tight bends, sudden viewpoints and shaded sections that feel more like the Pacific Northwest than the Arizona desert. Every few miles there’s another reason to pull over—another overlook, another photo opportunity, another moment that reminds you why road trips matter.

This is a drive to take slowly. Windows down, camera ready, no rushing. It’s one of those rare roads where you’re genuinely happy when traffic slows, because it gives you more time to take it all in.

After Sedona, I turn back north toward one of the most famous natural sights on the planet: the Grand Canyon. Even though it’s a globally recognised destination, there is nothing ordinary about arriving here by road. The landscape gradually opens up, the land flattens, and then—almost without warning—you’re standing at the rim, staring into a vastness that defies description.

The Grand Canyon isn’t just something to look at; it’s something to experience. Walk along the rim, sit quietly and watch the light change, or simply stand and let the scale of it sink in. No photograph ever truly captures it, and no two visits ever feel the same.

For Route 66 travellers, this stop adds real weight to the journey. It’s a reminder that the American road trip isn’t only about towns and highways—it’s about the land itself.

Leaving the Grand Canyon behind, the road leads northeast toward Page, Arizona. This stretch of the journey feels expansive and cinematic, with long, open roads and endless desert skies. Page may look modest at first glance, but it sits at the heart of some of the Southwest’s most dramatic scenery.

The must‑see stop here is Horseshoe Bend. A short walk leads to an overlook where the Colorado River curves almost completely back on itself, carving a perfect horseshoe shape through the rock far below. It’s one of those views that seems almost impossible until you’re standing there.

Page is also closely associated with Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, and the world‑famous Antelope Canyon. If you have the time—and can secure a guided visit—Antelope Canyon is an unforgettable experience, with smooth, flowing sandstone walls shaped by centuries of water and light.

From Page, the final leg of this detour heads toward one of the most recognisable landscapes in the world: Monument Valley. The approach alone is unforgettable. Long, straight roads stretch ahead as the famous buttes and mesas slowly rise from the horizon, growing larger with every mile.

Monument Valley isn’t just scenic—it’s symbolic. This is the landscape of classic Western films, iconic photographs and timeless imagery. Driving into the valley feels like stepping into another era, where the land dominates everything and the silence is as powerful as the views.

The 17‑mile scenic loop through Monument Valley brings you up close to the famous formations, with plenty of opportunities to stop, take photos and simply absorb the atmosphere. The road can be rough in places, but that only adds to the sense of adventure. This is not a place to rush; it’s a place to respect, explore slowly and remember long after the journey ends.

Route 66 is about freedom, discovery and the joy of the open road. This detour captures all of that—and then adds something extra. It takes you from historic towns to sacred landscapes, from neon signs to natural wonders, all without losing the spirit of the Mother Road.

Every time I rejoin Route 66 after Monument Valley, I feel like I’ve experienced a deeper version of the journey. The road feels richer, the memories stronger, and the sense of adventure renewed.

If you’re driving Route 66 and wondering whether it’s worth stepping off the main line for a few days, my answer is always the same: take the detour. Williams to Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Page and Monument Valley isn’t just a side trip—it’s one of the greatest chapters you can add to your Route 66 story.

 Photo by Kaileen Fitzpatrick on Unsplash