Historic Route 66 in Amboy, California

Route 66, the Mother Road, passed through a number of cities and towns as it made its way westbound across California: Needles, Amboy, Barstow, Victorville, San Bernardino, Pasadena and Santa Monica.

From the Arizona state line to San Bernardino U.S. Highway 66 followed the old National Old Trails Highway.

Leaving Needles, the road ventured a bit north, through Goffs. This railroad town remained a stop on Route 66 until 1931, when a more direct alignment between Needles and Essex was opened.

The road then headed south, through Chambless and Amboy.

Amboy was first settled in 1858; Lewis Kingman, a locating engineer for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, created the town as the first of a series of alphabetical railroad stations that were to be constructed across the Mojave Desert.

In 1926, Amboy became a boom town after the opening of U.S. Route 66. In 1938, Roy's Motel and Café opened and prospered due to its isolated location on the route. Roy's was later purchased by the late Albert Okura who worked to restore and revitalize the area.

Two extinct volcanoes are located west of the town: Amboy Crater and Pisgah Crater.

Route 66 Cruz to Roy's Motel And Cafe and Car Show Amboy, California In 1926, Amboy became a boom town after the opening of U.S. Route 66. In 1938, Roy's Motel and Café opened and prospered due to its isolated location on the route. Roy's was later purchased by the late Albert Okura who worked to restore and revitalize the area. Today, Roy's Motel and Café is a 24-hour gas station, gift shop, and famous tourist attraction, due to its 1950s Googie-Style neon sign that can be seen for miles approaching the town. Make plans now to be part of this exciting event upcoming in Amboy! More Info: Facebook Date: March 1, 2025

 

Map showing the location of Amboy, California on Historic Route 66

Amboy California

Roy's Motel and Cafe in Amboy, California, on Route 66

Roy's Motel and Cafe Roy's Motel and Café is a historic site on U.S. Route 66 in the Mojave Desert town of Amboy in San Bernardino County, California. Roy's Motel and Café is a 24-hour gas station, gift shop, and famous tourist attraction, due to its 1950s Googie-Style neon sign that can be seen for miles approaching the town. For more information, phone 760.733.1066 Also be sure to visit the website of Roy's and Roy's on Facebook A Route 66 town was dead. This man resurrected it into ‘a classic desert destination’ The Guardian - 12/11/2024

 

Route 66 Roadside Attraction in Amboy "Founded in 1858, Amboy provided a vital rest stop for weary sun-drenched travelers seeking a better life in California" Time for a stop on a hot day of bike riding ... at Roy's Motel and Cafe in Amboy Roy's Airport in Amboy ... Elevation 670 Feet Amboy Post Office ... Zip Code 92304   Ghost Towns of Route 66 - At Amazon

Interactive Map of Amboy, California

Earlier Days in Amboy
Bender's One Stop Service Station	Roy's Cafe and Motel

 

Bicycle rider on Route 66 near Amboy, California

An area attraction: the Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark The Amboy Crater is an an extinct, 79,000 year old volcano, located about 1.5 miles south of Route 66.

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