Needles is pretty quiet and HOT. Typically over 110 degrees in the summer, plan on filling up with gas, cold drinks and maybe a burger along old Route 66 (now Broadway) in downtown Needles. Leaving town, I- 40 heads west into the Mojave National Preserve. Route 66 branches to the south of I-40 about 45 minutes west of Needles.
When you exit the Interstate and get back on Route 66, you will find that you have little company on this stretch of the Mother Road in the Mojave. Since the distance between Needles and Barstow is so long, very few people actually drive this stretch of Route 66 anymore. If you do plan on driving this part of Route 66, make sure to fill up on gas and cold drinks in Needles, for there are few if any facilities between Needles and Barstow on old Route 66.
Sleeps:
Old Trails Inn Bed & Breakfast ΓÇó 304 Broadway, tel# 619-326-3523
66 Burger Hut ΓÇó 701 W. Broadway, tel# 619-326-2324
Hungry Bear Restaurant ΓÇó Located near the Best Motel ΓÇó 1900 W. Broadway, tel# 619-326-3824
Sites:
Motels ΓÇó Other motels to look for include the Palms Motel, the Diamond Motel, the Sage & Western Motels, the El Rancho, and the River Valley Motor Lodge; all of which are prime examples of cool Route 66 architecture and great places for photos in the warm afternoon light.
El Graces ΓÇó This building was the old Santa Fe Rail Depot and the Fred Harvey House, an old Hotel. Now deserted, this beautiful building stands squat behind a line of chain-link fence topped with razor wire. The park in front is green, but looks seldom used and somehow forgotten. Located to the right on old Route 66 about half way through Needles.
