Are you looking to visit a few less-traveled places in Arizona? A road trip is a great way to combine a few quick stops with those that may require a day or half a day to experience fully. Using Route 66 to guide part of our route, we saw some American pop culture and impressive national parks.

Recently, my husband and I took a road trip across Middle America, starting in Phoenix, AZ, and ending in Kansas City, MO. Over two weeks and driving 2,200+ miles, we visited several places in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas (Panhandle), Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri. Here are five reasons you want to consider the same or a similar trip.