Winslow to Groveland: Desert, Monuments & Forests

This route crosses three states and four distinct biomes, ending in a Sierra Nevada forest town. The drive covers 720 miles (1,159 km) with an estimated driving time of 11–12 hours without stops.

Notably, the journey passes through Holbrook, where a giant dinosaur statue marks the gateway to the Painted Desert, and ends near a gold-rush-era town with ties to the 1849 California Gold Rush.

Most travelers find the trip worth it for the scenic diversity alone, but planning carefully helps manage the long stretches.

For more on spotting underrated stops, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Primary highways: I-40 West from Winslow through Flagstaff, Kingman, and Barstow, then CA-58 West to Bakersfield, CA-99 North to Merced, and CA-140 East to Groveland. I-40 offers wide lanes and excellent pavement; CA-58 through Tehachapi Pass features steep grades and wind advisories.

Fuel costs vary significantly: gas prices drop in Arizona (averaging $3.50/gal), peak in central California ($4.50/gal). Budget roughly $150–$180 for fuel if driving a standard sedan.

• Navigation: Use GPS with offline maps; cell service is spotty for 50-mile stretches in Arizona and the Mojave Desert.
• Road conditions: I-40 is maintained year-round; CA-140 into Groveland has winter closures due to snow.
• Electric vehicle charging: Rare along I-40 between Flagstaff and Barstow; plan at Kingman and Needles.
• Towing: Avoid if possible; grades on CA-58 reach 6% and can be challenging.

Rest stops appear every 100 miles on I-40, but many are unstaffed; use truck stops for amenities. The route is safe for standard vehicles during spring and fall; winter requires snow tires for mountain sections.

I-40 is a four-lane divided highway with a 75 mph speed limit; in Arizona, wildlife like elk may cross at dusk. California’s stretch has frequent high winds between Barstow and Bakersfield—maintain two hands on the wheel. Highway 58 through the mountains has escape ramps for runaway trucks.

For families, key stops include the Petrified Forest, with a 28-mile scenic drive and Junior Ranger program, and the Grand Canyon, a short detour via Williams. In Barstow, the Route 66 Mother Road Museum offers a quick, free history lesson.

• Kid-friendly stops: Rainforest Cafe at Scottsdale (not exactly on route) but better exit at Hualapai Mountain Park for hiking.
• Children can stretch legs at the Mojave Desert Heritage and Cultural Association in Goffs.
• Yosemite’s Giant Sequoias near Groveland offer easy trails suitable for strollers.

Pets are allowed in most rest areas and national parks on leash, but not on trails except in specific zones. The route has designated pet restrooms at rest stops; only pet-friendly lodging is available in Kingman and Merced.

Safety: Carry extra water and blankets; wildfires can cause closures in summer (July–September). Avoid driving at night to prevent animal collisions.

Fatigue management: Stop every two hours; recommended rest zones include Flagstaff (elev. 6,910 ft) and Barstow. Use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet ahead for 20 seconds.

The drive begins in the High Desert at Winslow, passing the Painted Desert's eroded badlands and the petrified logs of the Petrified Forest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Near Flagstaff, the San Francisco Peaks, remnants of a collapsed volcano, dominate the skyline.

West of Kingman, the road drops into the Mojave Desert, home to the Joshua tree and the historic Route 66 town of Oatman, where wild burros wander. Moving into California, the Tehachapi Pass reveals wind farms and almond orchards before the sprawling San Joaquin Valley, an agricultural heartland producing nuts and dairy.

Groveland, at 3,156 ft, is a former Gold Rush camp with a saloon dating to 1849. The local commerce revolves around tourism for Yosemite, with outfitters and general stores.

Ethnic food variety exists in Bakersfield (Mexican) and Fresno (Hmong), but smaller towns rely on chain fast food. Local delicacies include Navajo tacos in Winslow and Filipino fusion in Daly City, not on route.

Cultural landmarks: the Route 66 Museum in Kingman and the Kern County Museum in Bakersfield showcase regional history. Indigenous heritage appears in Hopi and Navajo crafts sold along the highway.