Route 66 has always been more than a road. It is diners, desert highways, neon signs, small towns, vintage motels, family road trips, and the kind of Americana that still makes people want to get behind the wheel.

In 2026, the Mother Road has an extra reason to be back in the spotlight. Route 66 is celebrating its centennial year, with communities across the route marking 100 years of one of America’s most iconic road trips.

But Rent By Owner data suggests something interesting: travelers are not only looking at the big-name Route 66 hubs. They are also looking around them.

To understand how interest is spreading along the route, Rent By Owner analyzed aggregated destination-level data across 10 major Route 66 hubs and 25 nearby towns within a 60-minute drive. The analysis looked at traveler interest, active rental inventory, property size, year-over-year interest signals, and drive time from each town to its nearest Route 66 hub.

The result? Route 66 travelers appear to be orbiting the Mother Road, not just following it.

Key Findings

The headline finding is clear: detour towns captured 41% of Route 66-area traveler interest in Rent By Owner’s dataset, while representing just 28% of the active rental inventory analyzed.

That means nearby towns attracted a larger share of browsing interest than their share of rental supply might suggest. When comparing interest to inventory, detour towns generated nearly 1.8 times more traveler interest per listing than the main Route 66 hubs.

Arizona showed the strongest detour effect in the study. Around Flagstaff, nearby towns accounted for 84% of traveler interest in the local cluster, with Sedona leading the detour-town group overall. Oklahoma also showed a strong pattern, especially around Tulsa, where Broken Arrow and Owasso together attracted more traveler interest than the hub itself.

The data also points to a practical travel trend. Several of the strongest detour towns had a notable share of larger properties, suggesting that travelers browsing around Route 66 may be looking for space, whole-home stays, family-friendly rentals, quieter surroundings, access to nature, or a short drive to a major Route 66 stop.

What Is a Route 66 Detour Town?

For this study, Rent By Owner defined a detour town as a destination within a 60-minute drive of a major Route 66 hub.

These are not random nearby places. They are towns travelers might realistically use as a base while exploring Route 66, especially when they want the road trip experience without necessarily staying in the biggest or most obvious stop. In many cases, these towns offer a different kind of stay: more space, a quieter setting, easier access to outdoor areas, or a more residential feel within reach of a major Route 66 anchor.

The analysis focused on 10 Route 66 hubs and 25 nearby towns across Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Top Route 66 Detour Towns to Watch

1. Sedona, Arizona

• Nearest Route 66 hub: Flagstaff
• Drive time from hub: 45 minutes
• Best for: Red rocks, hiking, wellness retreats, scenic side trips, and larger stays

Sedona is not exactly a hidden gem, and that is what makes its role in the data so interesting.

It is not the classic Route 66 stop travelers usually picture first, yet it led the detour-town group by share of traveler interest. With its red rock scenery, hiking trails, wellness retreats, scenic drives, and wide range of vacation rentals, Sedona gives road-trippers a different kind of base near northern Arizona’s Route 66 corridor.

For travelers passing through Flagstaff, Sedona can turn a Route 66 trip into a broader Arizona escape. It works especially well for people who want to pair the nostalgia of the Mother Road with scenery, nature, and a longer stay.

Quick Take: Sedona is the strongest detour destination in the analysis, combining high traveler interest, a major vacation rental market, and strong appeal for travelers who want more than a quick stop.

Explore stays in Sedona: https://www.rentbyowner.com/location/usa/arizona/sedona

2. Williams, Arizona

• Nearest Route 66 hub: Flagstaff
• Drive time from hub: 30 minutes
• Best for: Classic Route 66 atmosphere, vintage Americana, Grand Canyon access, and road trip nostalgia

Williams brings the Route 66 feeling that road-trippers love: historic charm, old-school signs, small-town energy, and easy access to northern Arizona adventures.

It also stood out in the Rent By Owner analysis for rising year-over-year interest. While percentage growth can be sharper in smaller markets, Williams is especially useful for travelers because it combines real Route 66 identity with a practical location near Flagstaff.

Williams is also one of the easiest towns to understand from a travel storytelling perspective. It feels connected to the Mother Road, it has strong road trip appeal, and it gives travelers a base that can work for both Route 66 and Grand Canyon-area itineraries.

Quick Take: Williams is one of the most natural towns to highlight for a Route 66 detour because it has both the story and the travel appeal.

Explore stays in Williams: https://www.rentbyowner.com/location/usa/arizona/williams

3. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

• Nearest Route 66 hub: Tulsa
• Drive time from hub: 20 minutes
• Best for: Group-friendly stays, suburban space, Tulsa access, and a quieter overnight base

Broken Arrow is one of the clearest examples of the “detour town” effect.

In the Tulsa area, nearby towns attracted more combined traveler interest than Tulsa itself. Broken Arrow was the strongest of those nearby towns, offering travelers a base within easy reach of the city while adding more of the space and residential feel many road-trippers look for.

It also has a strong group-friendly profile, with a high share of listings offering 3 or more bedrooms. That makes it especially relevant for families, friend groups, or travelers who want to stay near Tulsa without choosing a more urban setting.

Quick Take: Broken Arrow is one of the best data-backed examples of Route 66 interest spreading beyond a major hub.

Explore stays in Broken Arrow: https://www.rentbyowner.com/location/usa/oklahoma/broken-arrow

4. Naperville, Illinois

• Nearest Route 66 hub: Chicago
• Drive time from hub: 35 minutes
• Best for: Chicago access, family stays, group-friendly rentals, and a quieter start or finish

Chicago remains the clear anchor at the eastern end of Route 66. But Naperville stands out as a nearby alternative for travelers who want more space within driving distance of the city.

With a strong share of larger properties and rising year-over-year interest, Naperville may appeal to families and groups starting or ending a Route 66 trip near Chicago. It gives travelers a way to stay close to the city while choosing a more residential base.

That makes Naperville especially useful for road-trippers who want to begin or end their trip with access to Chicago, but who do not necessarily need to stay in the middle of the city.

Quick Take: Chicago remains the main draw, but Naperville offers a more spacious stay option within easy reach.

Explore stays in Naperville: https://www.rentbyowner.com/location/usa/illinois/naperville

5. Owasso, Oklahoma

• Nearest Route 66 hub: Tulsa
• Drive time from hub: 20 minutes
• Best for: Larger homes, family stays, and quieter Tulsa-area trips

Owasso may be smaller than Tulsa, but it has one of the strongest larger-home profiles in the dataset.

For travelers looking around the Tulsa area, Owasso can offer a quieter base with good access to the Route 66 corridor. It is especially useful for families or groups who want space without being far from one of Oklahoma’s key Route 66 hubs.

Together with Broken Arrow, Owasso helps show that the Tulsa-area Route 66 story is not limited to Tulsa itself. Traveler interest is spreading into nearby towns that can offer a different kind of stay.

Quick Take: Owasso is a small but strong group-stay market near Tulsa.

Explore stays in Owasso: https://www.rentbyowner.com/location/usa/oklahoma/owasso

6. Camp Verde, Arizona

• Nearest Route 66 hub: Flagstaff
• Drive time from hub: 40 minutes
• Best for: Quieter Arizona stays, nature access, scenic drives, and relaxed road trips

Camp Verde gives travelers another way to experience northern Arizona beyond the main Route 66 stops.

It is quieter than Sedona, smaller than Flagstaff, and well placed for travelers who want access to nature, scenic drives, and a slower-paced stay. While Sedona dominates the Arizona data, Camp Verde adds an important layer to the story: detour towns are not only major side-trip destinations. Some are smaller bases that fit a more relaxed road trip style.

For travelers who want the Arizona landscape without staying in the busiest areas, Camp Verde can make sense as a softer, quieter detour.

Quick Take: Camp Verde works well as a quieter Arizona detour for travelers looking beyond the busiest stops.

Explore stays in Camp Verde: https://www.rentbyowner.com/location/usa/arizona/camp-verde

7. Norman, Oklahoma

• Nearest Route 66 hub: Oklahoma City
• Drive time from hub: 25 minutes
• Best for: Group stays, college-town atmosphere, and Oklahoma City access

Norman is another strong group-friendly detour town in Oklahoma.

With a high share of properties offering 3 or more bedrooms, it gives travelers another option near Oklahoma City without staying directly in the hub. For Route 66 road-trippers, Norman can work especially well for families or groups who want more space and a lively local atmosphere within a short drive of the city.

Norman also adds variety to the Oklahoma section of the route. It gives travelers access to the Oklahoma City area while offering a different feel from the central hub.

Quick Take: Norman combines space, proximity, and a strong group-stay profile, making it one of Oklahoma’s most useful detour towns in the analysis.

Explore stays in Norman: https://www.rentbyowner.com/location/usa/oklahoma/norman

8. Elgin, Illinois

• Nearest Route 66 hub: Chicago
• Drive time from hub: 45 minutes
• Best for: Larger homes, residential stays, and Chicago-area road trip bases

Elgin is a smaller detour market, but it stood out for its share of larger properties.

That makes it relevant for travelers who are not just looking for a quick city stay. For groups starting a road trip near Chicago, a town like Elgin can offer more residential-style stays while still keeping the city within reach.

Elgin’s overall traveler interest is more modest than some of the top detour towns, but its property profile makes it worth watching as part of the broader Chicago-area Route 66 picture.

Quick Take: Elgin’s overall traveler interest is more modest than some of the top detour towns, but its larger-property profile makes it worth watching as a group-friendly Chicago-area option.

Explore stays in Elgin: https://www.rentbyowner.com/location/usa/illinois/elgin

9. Redlands, California

• Nearest Route 66 hub: San Bernardino
• Drive time from hub: 20 minutes
• Best for: Historic charm, walkable downtown, and Southern California road trips

Redlands brings a more polished Southern California feel to the western end of the Route 66 story.

Close to San Bernardino, it offers a historic core, local character, and a softer landing point for travelers moving through California’s Route 66 corridor. The San Bernardino cluster was smaller in the dataset than Arizona or Oklahoma, but Redlands is one of the more editorially interesting detour towns in the area.

For travelers approaching the western end of Route 66, Redlands can offer a stay that feels close to the route while still bringing its own sense of place.

Quick Take: Redlands is a strong California detour angle because it combines proximity, character, and a clear alternative to the main hub.

Explore stays in Redlands: https://www.rentbyowner.com/location/usa/california/redlands

10. Corrales, New Mexico

• Nearest Route 66 hub: Albuquerque
• Drive time from hub: 20 minutes
• Best for: Quieter stays, rural atmosphere, Albuquerque access, and Southwestern character

Corrales is a smaller market, so its signal should be read carefully. But it has the kind of profile that makes a detour town interesting: close to a major hub, distinctive in feel, and more spacious than many urban options.

For travelers exploring New Mexico’s Route 66 corridor, Corrales may offer a quieter base near Albuquerque with a more rural, residential atmosphere.

It is not a broad market trend on its own, but it does help show how Route 66-area interest can stretch into smaller places with strong local character.

Quick Take: Corrales is not a large market, but it stands out for proximity, local character, and rising interest.

Explore stays in Corrales: https://www.rentbyowner.com/location/usa/new-mexico/corrales

Regional Breakdown: Where Route 66 Interest Spreads Most

Arizona: The strongest detour effect

Arizona had the clearest detour pattern in the study.

Around Flagstaff, nearby towns accounted for 84% of traveler interest in the local cluster. Sedona led the full detour-town group, while Williams added a more classic Route 66 angle and Camp Verde offered a quieter alternative.

What makes Arizona especially strong is the mix of travel styles. Flagstaff works as a classic northern Arizona hub, Sedona brings scenery and high traveler interest, Williams adds Route 66 identity, and Camp Verde offers a quieter base for travelers looking beyond the busiest stops.

Oklahoma: The cleanest spillover story

Oklahoma produced one of the strongest examples of traveler interest spreading beyond a hub.

Around Tulsa, nearby Broken Arrow and Owasso together attracted 55% of traveler interest in the local cluster, slightly outpacing Tulsa itself. Around Oklahoma City, Norman and Edmond added more group-friendly inventory within a short drive.

This makes Oklahoma one of the most useful regions for understanding the detour-town pattern. The story is not only that travelers are interested in Route 66 hubs, but that nearby towns can become part of the trip when they offer space, convenience, or a different kind of stay.

Illinois: Chicago still leads, but nearby towns offer space

Chicago remained the clear anchor in Illinois, accounting for around 89% of traveler interest in its local cluster.

Even so, Naperville, Elgin, and Joliet each offer a different type of stay within a manageable drive. Naperville stood out most clearly thanks to its group-friendly profile and rising year-over-year interest.

Illinois is therefore a more hub-led story than Arizona or Oklahoma. Chicago still dominates, but nearby towns can play a supporting role for travelers who want more space near the starting point of Route 66.

New Mexico: Smaller towns with distinctive appeal

New Mexico’s Route 66 hubs, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, attracted more traveler interest than their nearby detour towns overall.

However, Corrales, Española, Los Lunas, and Pojoaque show how the region’s Route 66-area stays can stretch into smaller towns with more local character. Because some of these markets have limited inventory, they are best treated as emerging or niche detour options rather than broad market trends.

The New Mexico story is not about detour towns overtaking the hubs. It is about the variety of places travelers can consider when they want a quieter or more distinctive base near the route.

California: A softer western-end story

The San Bernardino-area data showed a smaller detour pattern than Arizona or Oklahoma, but Redlands and Riverside still recorded traveler interest.

Redlands is especially useful for storytelling because it offers a more historic, walkable alternative near San Bernardino. Riverside adds a larger urban option within reach of the Route 66 corridor, while Hesperia can work as a more spacious desert-area stay.

California is not the strongest detour cluster in the dataset, but it still shows how the western end of the route can stretch into nearby towns with their own travel appeal.

Missouri and Texas: More limited detour signals

Missouri and Texas had weaker detour-town signals in this dataset.

St. Charles remains a useful Missouri mention because of its historic appeal near St. Louis, while Canyon is editorially attractive near Amarillo because of its proximity to Palo Duro Canyon. However, these towns should be framed as relevant nearby options rather than the strongest data-led standouts.

For Missouri and Texas, the strongest story is not that detour towns are outperforming the hubs. It is that travelers planning Route 66 trips may still find practical and scenic alternatives close to the main stops.

Top Route 66 Detour Towns to Watch

Rank	Detour Town	State	Nearest Hub	Drive Time	Why It Stands Out
1	Sedona	AZ	Flagstaff	45 min	Highest share of detour-town interest
2	Williams	AZ	Flagstaff	30 min	Classic Route 66 identity and rising interest
3	Broken Arrow	OK	Tulsa	20 min	Strong spillover signal near Tulsa
4	Naperville	IL	Chicago	35 min	Group-friendly alternative near Chicago
5	Owasso	OK	Tulsa	20 min	High share of larger homes
6	Camp Verde	AZ	Flagstaff	40 min	Quieter Arizona detour option
7	Norman	OK	Oklahoma City	25 min	Strong group-stay profile
8	Elgin	IL	Chicago	45 min	High share of larger homes
9	Redlands	CA	San Bernardino	20 min	Historic California detour option
10	Corrales	NM	Albuquerque	20 min	Smaller market with rising interest

What This Means for Route 66 Travelers

The data points to a simple but useful idea: Route 66 travel is not only about staying in the obvious stops.

Travelers browsing Rent By Owner are also looking at nearby towns that may offer more space, whole-home stays, easier group travel, access to nature, or a quieter base near a major route hub. That does not mean every detour town is replacing the hub. Chicago, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Oklahoma City still matter. But in several regions, especially Arizona and Oklahoma, nearby towns are becoming part of the Route 66 travel story.

For travelers planning a Route 66 trip, the takeaway is simple: look slightly beyond the main stop. The best stay for your road trip may be 20, 30, or 45 minutes away.

Methodology

Rent By Owner analyzed aggregated destination-level data across 10 main Route 66 hubs and 25 nearby detour towns within a 60-minute drive.

The analysis compared each destination’s share of traveler interest with its share of active rental inventory. It also reviewed the share of listings with 1 to 2 bedrooms, the share of listings with 3 or more bedrooms, year-over-year change in traveler interest where available, and drive time from the nearest Route 66 hub.

Pageviews were used as a proxy for traveler interest. Detour towns captured 41% of Route 66-area traveler interest in the dataset, while representing 28% of the active rental inventory analyzed. Based on the relationship between interest and inventory share, detour towns generated nearly 1.8 times more traveler interest per listing than the main Route 66 hubs.

This analysis does not represent confirmed bookings, occupancy, or reservation volume.

For Journalists

This Rent By Owner analysis uses aggregated destination-level data to identify Route 66 detour towns attracting traveler interest during the centennial year.

Journalists and publishers may cite this page with attribution to Rent By Owner.

Suggested citation: “According to Rent By Owner’s Route 66 Detour Towns analysis…” + link to this page.