For millions of travelers across the globe, Route 66 evokes images of glowing neon diners, classic tail-finned automobiles, and bustling roadside attractions. While suburban stops like the Wigwam Motel in Rialto or the original McDonald’s site in the city of San Bernardino draw steady crowds, the true soul of the Mother Road lies further east—where the concrete gives way to the open, wind-swept expanse of the Mojave Desert.
Spanning over 200 miles from the Arizona border to the San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino County Route 66 represents the longest continuous desert stretch of the original highway remaining in North America. Driving along the historic National Trails Highway reveals a hauntingly beautiful landscape of abandoned mining hubs, mid-century neon relics, and ghost towns preserved by the dry desert air.
Crossing the Mojave: The Origins of the National Trails Highway
Long before Route 66 was officially designated in 1926, native trade paths and early wagon trails traversed the unforgiving Mojave Desert. Early cross-country motorists in the 1910s faced treacherous driving conditions, navigating rutted dirt tracks, extreme summer temperatures, and long stretches between water stations.
Paved in stages during the 1930s, the National Trails Highway transformed cross-country travel, allowing dust-bowl migrants and post-war vacationers to cross California safely. Today, bypassing Interstate 40 to drive this two-lane scenic bypass offers an immersive glimpse into early American auto-touring history.
Historic Landmarks & Desert Ghost Towns Along the Route
Heading west from the Colorado River across the desert hinterlands brings travelers face-to-face with towns that once thrived on the steady flow of Mother Road traffic, only to be frozen in time when Interstate 40 bypassed them in 1973.
Needles & The El Garces Harvey House
Located at the eastern gateway of San Bernardino County, Needles served as a vital railway and highway stop for weary desert travelers. The centerpiece of the city’s historic district is the magnificent El Garces Harvey House and Depot. Constructed in 1908 by the Santa Fe Railroad, this elegant Mission Revival structure offered fine dining and luxury accommodations to rail passengers, standing today as a fully restored monument to early California transport heritage.
Amboy: Roy’s Motel & Café and the Amboy Crater
Perhaps the most famous ghost town along the entire California stretch of Route 66, Amboy is an iconic mid-century oasis. Established in the late 1800s as a salt mining hub, Amboy transformed into a bustling highway boomtown under the stewardship of Roy Crowl and Buster Burris.
Today, visitors can admire the restored 1959 boomerang neon sign at Roy’s Motel & Café, step into the preserved lobby, and fuel up at the historic gas station. Just west of town lies the Amboy Crater, a 250-foot symmetrical volcanic cinder cone formed over 10,000 years ago. A scenic 3-mile round-trip hiking trail leads from the highway right to the rim of the extinct volcano cone.
Ludlow: Mining Heritage and Desert Relics
Further west along National Trails Highway lies Ludlow, founded in 1897 as a water stop for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad and later a shipping point for nearby gold and borax mines. When Route 66 was established, Ludlow adapted with motor courts, repair garages, and classic cafes. Today, travelers can explore abandoned mid-century gas stations, rusted vintage automobiles, and old brick storefronts framed by open desert skies.
Preserving Mother Road Milestones & Open Road Art
Beyond its ghost towns, the San Bernardino County desert section of Route 66 features unique roadside details that reward observant road trippers:
- Painted Route 66 Pavement Shields: Volunteer preservation organizations, such as the California Route 66 Association, maintain classic white pavement stencils painted directly on the asphalt along National Trails Highway, offering iconic photo opportunities for travelers.
- Vintage Wooden Trestle Bridges: Dozens of historic timber and concrete drainage bridges built in the 1920s and 1930s still span desert washes along the highway, showcasing early 20th-century highway engineering.
- The Shoe Tree and Desert Curios: Unofficial traveler traditions, roadside shrines, and folk-art installations pepper the shoulders of the road between Essex and Goffs, reflecting the quirky, personal spirit of Mother Road culture.
Essential Desert Road Trip Safety Tips
Driving the remote desert stretches of San Bernardino County’s Route 66 requires careful preparation. Because services between Barstow and Needles are limited, keep these essential road trip safety rules in mind:
- Maintain a Full Gas Tank: Fuel stations along National Trails Highway are sparse, with long distances between working pumps in towns like Amboy and Ludlow. Always fill your tank in Barstow or Needles before setting out.
- Carry Abundant Water & Emergency Supplies: Desert temperatures can exceed 110°F during summer months. Always carry extra drinking water, coolant, a fully charged mobile phone, and a paper map, as cellular reception can be spotty in deep desert basins.
- Respect Private Property and Ghost Town Structures: Many historic buildings along Route 66 are fragile or privately owned. Admire and photograph ruins from established public rights-of-way without trespassing or removing historic artifacts.
- Watch for Road Conditions: Flash floods during monsoon season can wash sand and debris across low-lying dip sections of National Trails Highway. Always check local weather advisories before driving remote two-lane routes.
Experience the True Spirit of Route 66
San Bernardino County’s desert corridor proves that Route 66 is far more than a nostalgic relic—it is a living museum of American mobility, resilience, and architectural history. By stepping off the high-speed interstate and taking the slow road past Amboy, Ludlow, and Needles, you can experience the quiet majesty, vintage charm, and timeless adventure of California’s Mother Road.