Take a brisk cruise through the high country of northern Arizona as we follow Interstate 40 westbound through Flagstaff, a vibrant mountain city that blends railroad heritage, Route 66 nostalgia, and natural beauty in equal measure. This 14-mile journey may be short, but it offers a compelling slice of life in one of Arizona’s most beloved cities—set beneath the towering San Francisco Peaks and nestled among the ponderosa pines of Coconino National Forest.
Our drive begins near exit 204 for Walnut Canyon, a gateway to one of the region’s most fascinating prehistoric sites—Walnut Canyon National Monument. Though unseen from the highway, the monument lies just south, preserving ancient cliff dwellings tucked into limestone walls carved by eons of erosion. As we merge onto the interstate, the surroundings are pure high desert forest—dotted with pine and juniper, the elevation just over 6,800 feet. The road curves gently as we roll through the outskirts of Flagstaff, and almost immediately we pass exit 201 for Country Club Drive, where suburban neighborhoods meet the forest edge.
As we continue west, the interstate subtly shifts from a westward heading to more of a southwestward track, tracing the southern edge of Flagstaff proper. Traffic thickens slightly as we approach the city’s central junction: exit 195 for Interstate 17, the main corridor southward toward Phoenix. This interchange marks a significant change in direction and geography—travelers on I-17 descend thousands of feet toward the desert basin, while we stay in the elevated coolness of Flagstaff, now angling northwest again. Just west of the junction, remnants of Route 66 begin to appear again, with local roads and businesses echoing the city’s alignment with the Mother Road.
Our final mile passes the South Milton Road interchange (exit 193), a bustling exit feeding traffic into Flagstaff’s western retail and lodging corridor. Here, the modern era and Route 66 legacy collide: big-box stores sit near vintage neon signs, and you might spot the Museum Club, a former taxidermy shop turned roadhouse bar that dates back to the 1930s. Just a minute later, we reach exit 191, where I-40 meets I-40 Business / Route 66—a reminder that the highway we’re on was built to replace, but never fully erase, the road that came before. This is where our video ends, and where many a traveler might pause to refuel—both their tank and their spirit—before continuing westward into the pines of Bellemont or the rugged terrain of the Arizona high desert.
Though brief, this segment of I-40 provides a strong sense of place: the cool, pine-scented air; the blend of history and modernity; and the ever-present hum of locomotives echoing from the nearby BNSF mainline. It’s a city that welcomes wanderers and westbounders alike, and whether you’re chasing the past on Route 66 or just trying to make time to California, Flagstaff is always worth the detour.
🗺️ Route Map
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