Traveling from Williams to the Grand Canyon
Short drive, big vibes—this road trip from Williams to the Grand Canyon packs way more than you’d expect.
Road trips are always fun, especially when the road goes from Williams, Arizona, to the Grand Canyon. It's a tiny drive, but somehow it literally has everything, from pine trees to a few roadside diners. Williams calls itself the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon,” and let’s be honest, they are dead serious about it. Whether you're chugging along on the historic Grand Canyon Railway or driving yourself and bickering with your travel companion over snacks, the journey is all about half the fun. One minute you're cruising through a Route 66 town that feels straight out of a movie, and the next you're staring out the window, wondering how the earth came to decide to rip itself open so dramatically like that. In this blog, we will see what we can do during the Williams to Grand Canyon travel! Let’s go!
How Long Is the Drive from Williams to Grand Canyon National Park?
The drive from Williams, AZ, to the Grand Canyon is approximately 60 miles and takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Generally, the majority of travelers make their way to the South Rim for their visit. You'll be using Arizona State Route 64, which isn't too shabby, and the whole thing is paved, not a dirt road in sight.
Just a heads up: Williams sits at a respectable 6,800 feet elevation, whereas the South Rim tops out at about 7,000 feet elevation. If you need to fill up on gas, don't worry, as there are plenty of options in the town of Tusayan, right near the park entrance. Just note that there's an entrance fee for most vehicles to get into the park. As far as the road itself goes, it stays open year-round, weather permitting, of course.
Road Trip Stops:
There are many amazing stops on this journey where you can relax and enjoy. Some of them are mentioned below.
Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery
Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery is situated in Williams, Arizona, and it is a place that's got a pretty rich history surrounding it. The brewery/distillery first opened its doors back in 2007, and it was an ex-US Navy dude who had the vision to get it all off the ground. They do all of their craft beer brewing right on site.
They're not too far off the main drag of North 7th Street & Route 66, and you can't miss them. Inside the building, you've got plenty of room to grab a bite to eat and catch your breath, be it a burger, a pizza, or a simple sandwich. There are also heaps of parking for those who drive in.
Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum:
Pete's Route 66 Gas Station Museum can be found in the middle of downtown Williams, Arizona. The building itself has a seriously cool history going back to 1949, when it was first built, and for a fair chunk of its life it actually operated as a working gas station.
Nowadays, it's been turned into a museum that's full of all sorts of cool old gas pumps, some of which date back to the mid-1900s. On the walls, you'll find heaps of other automotive bits and bobs—signs, tools, and whatnot. On top of that, they've got a vintage car parked up under the old station canopy, and it's all a real testament to the history of Route 66 travel. As a bonus for those who are really interested, they're actually located on the original Route 66 alignment.
Bearizona Wildlife Park:
Bearizona Wildlife Park is located in a pretty decent location east of Williams, Arizona. The park is situated on about 160 acres of land. When you visit, you get to drive your own vehicle through a wildlife area. The loop is around 3 miles long, so you can easily take a leisurely drive.
They've got a pretty cool assortment of animals, including black bears, bison, wolves, and elk. You can also walk through the Fort Bearizona area, which is actually pretty cool and is home to some of the smaller critters that you don't want to miss out on. Plus, they've got bird flight demonstrations going on, so keep an ear out for that.
Buffalo Park:
Buffalo Park is a pretty neat spot in Flagstaff, Arizona. You'll find it sitting on McMillan Mesa. The main trail is a 2.2-mile loop, so you can take a walk or bike ride pretty easily. The surface is mostly dirt and gravel, and the terrain is pretty flat, so you'll feel pretty comfortable the whole time you're out there.
Plus, you'll be able to get some nice views of Mount Elden, and it’s a real highlight of the park. The park also connects up to the Flagstaff Urban Trail System in case you want to take a longer ride. You'll also see some wildlife out and about, like mule deer. It's also worth noting that the park has some open grassy fields, and there are picnic areas to grab a bite to eat.
DJ's Wild West Junction:
DJ's Wild West Junction is situated right in the middle of Williams, Arizona, on historic Route 66, no less. The place itself is basically a Western-themed shopping and museum area, complete with buildings designed to look like an old Western town.
You'll find plenty of gift shops and souvenir stores to browse, plus one building that's dedicated to a small but interesting Wild West museum. The types of things on show include a range of Western artifacts and props. One thing worth mentioning is that this place is privately owned, and that's what makes the special events that pop up here and there all the more fun. They happen from time to time, depending on the season, so be sure to keep an eye out for those. The best part? It's only a short walk from downtown Williams.
Book your stay at American Regency Inn Williams for a convenient, comfortable base near Route 66 and the Grand Canyon.
