Follow our 2018 road trip through the wide-open beauty of the American Southwest, spanning nine states from Arkansas to California. This journey takes you along legendary Route 66, through the neon lights of Las Vegas, the awe-inspiring landscapes of Monument Valley, and all the way to the Pacific coast in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. A classic blend of desert roads, iconic cities, and unforgettable Western scenery.
![Interstate 15: Hesperia to Rancho Cucamonga, California [Remaster]](https://media.openroadarchive.com/file/ora-media/uploads/2026/05/9mb_otjascqmaxresdefault.webp)
Drive south along Interstate 15 from Hesperia to Rancho Cucamonga, California, descending from the High Desert into the busy Inland Empire through mountain backdrops, freight corridors, suburban growth, and one of Southern Californiaβs most important transportation routes.
![Interstate 40: Needles to Barstow, California [Remastered]](https://media.openroadarchive.com/file/ora-media/uploads/2026/05/glorrw4-y0wmaxresdefault.webp)
Drive west across Californiaβs Mojave Desert on Interstate 40 from Needles to Barstow, following a historic Route 66 corridor through remote basins, rugged mountains, railroad towns, and vast desert landscapes on one of Southern Californiaβs classic interstate drives.
Experience the changing landscapes of northern Arizona on Interstate 40 from Flagstaff to Ash Fork. This 52-mile drive transitions from cool pine forests beneath the San Francisco Peaks to the wide-open high desert plateau, following a historic Route 66 corridor through one of the Southwestβs most dynamic regions.
Drive Interstate 40 from Holbrook to Winslow, Arizona, crossing 29 miles of open high desert and historic Route 66 territory. Experience expansive landscapes, quiet desert beauty, and classic Southwest travel history along this scenic stretch of I-40.
Drive Interstate 40 from Lupton to Holbrook, Arizona, covering 69 miles of high desert, historic Route 66 alignments, mesas, and Painted Desert landscapes across northeastern Arizona.
Drive Interstate 40 from Gallup to Lupton, New Mexico, covering 16.5 miles of high desert terrain along historic Route 66. Experience red rock landscapes, wide-open vistas, and a scenic transition into Arizona on this short but iconic Southwest drive.
Drive Interstate 40 from Albuquerque to Gallup, New Mexico β a 123-mile journey through high desert mesas, volcanic landscapes, and historic Route 66 country. Experience sweeping Southwest scenery, lava fields near Grants, and the rugged beauty leading to Gallup.
Drive 61 miles west along Interstate 40 from Clines Corners to Albuquerque, New Mexico. This scenic high-desert journey crosses the Estancia Basin before approaching the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande corridor.
Drive 37 miles west on Interstate 40 from Glenrio to Tucumcari, New Mexico. Experience wide-open High Plains, historic Route 66 parallels, Tucumcari Mountain views, and classic neon Americana along this scenic desert interstate segment.
Drive west along Interstate 40 from McLean to Groom, Texas, and experience classic Panhandle prairie scenery, wide-open skies, and lingering Route 66 character on this short but iconic stretch of highway.
Drive west along Interstate 40 from Shamrock to McLean, Texas, and experience a short but character-filled Texas Panhandle segment shaped by open prairie, steady winds, and the lasting influence of historic Route 66.
Drive west along Interstate 40 from Elk City, Oklahoma, to Shamrock, Texas on a classic High Plains stretch shaped by open land, long sightlines, and the lasting influence of historic Route 66.