This vintage car on Route 66 in the Petrified Forest National Park caught my eye when I saw it online somewhere before our 9000 mile road trip. My husband and I were both engaged and married on Route 66 so it’s near and dear to our hearts.
Unfortunately I had to make most of the trek across the Mother Road on my own with our 3 kids so I did a LOT of pre-planning to make sure everything went smoothly!

We had really wanted to visit the Rainbow Trees after reading about them years before in a National Geographic book so I was excited when I learned this vintage car is in a pullout in Petrified Forest National Park.
It showcases a section of the old Route 66 trace that passes through the park. There’s a nice sign there and plenty of room to pull in and park for a few photos. My oldest son is really into vintage cars right now so he and I were the only ones that hopped out in the heat of the day to grab some photos.
Where is the vintage car on Route 66 in the Petrified Forest?
To find this historic pullout you’ll be closest to it by entering the north entrance of Petrified Forest National Park. It is located where Highway 40 crosses over Park Road. You’ll drive right past it after so you can’t miss it!

What kind of vintage car is on Route 66?
The vintage car here in the Petrified Forest is a 1932 Studebaker. Ironically it was the love of travel that helped lead to the demise of Route 66 as highways were installed and by-passed many of the historic destinations on Rt. 66.
Thank goodness interest in Route 66 has helped resurge efforts to save these historic places! I am so grateful that I was able to take my children across Route 66 and learn more about our country’s history gone by.

As you can see there’s no bad view of this historic vintage Studebaker! You can get photos all around the vehicle – but be careful of how hot the metal gets! It can burn your skin on a hot day!

What trails are at the Petrified Forest National Park?
- Painted Desert Rim Trail
- Puerco Pueblo
- Blue Mesa
- Crystal Forest
- Giant Logs
- Long Logs
- Agate House
You can learn more about each trail on the National Park Service page.
There are TWO entrances into Petrified Forest National Park. YES TWO!
There is an entrance off of I-40 and and entrance on 180. The visitors center and trails we wanted to hit were ALL off of 180. Since we were on our way up to Holbrook it worked out great.

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