Goffs Road To Hwy 95 ~ Route 66 California

Goffs Road is one of several historic Route 66 alignments in southern California. Most can be found along the National Trails Highway, which predates Route 66. In the early days, this old national highway followed existing wagon trails and native pathways that were not always well suited for automobile travel. Automobile road building was still going through the trial and error stages back in those days, especially in areas of forbidding terrain, like the vast Mojave Desert. Because of the road building experimentation and the Interstate 40 bypass in the 1970s, there is a long history of abandoned Route 66 sections in the Mojave Desert that await to be discovered. Goffs Road is one of the most famous and it is also one of the easiest to find.

Both the old Highway 95 alignment of Route 66 and Goffs Road can be found near Needles, California. Old historic Needles is still a Route 66 hub and it is a good place to top off the tank before doing the 40 mile long Goffs Road tour. Goffs Road parallels I-40 through the wide open spaces of the Mojave Desert, but a driver might as well be in a separate universe, because this long straight section of two lane road has been frozen in time ever since the Route 66 bypass. 

There are a few abandoned tourist trap buildings along Goffs Road that present good photo opportunities and the old historic Goffs Station is still open for business at the western end of this highway. Busy railway lines also parallel Goffs Road and it is well worth stopping to watch the freight trains go by. This was cheap entertainment back in the old days of Route 66 and the nostalgic views will enhance the mood. The Mojave Desert stretches out as far as the eyes can see and it is easy to slip into a dreamy state while rolling down the highway. This long section of two lane blacktop was practically designed for big heavy highway cruisers, so be sure to put the convertible top down!

The community of Goffs was originally named Blake back when it was a tiny railroad town, but that all changed when Route 66 was paved through this area. Even more changes occurred when Goffs was turned into a US Army desert training base during WWII and many of the remnants of this era can still be seen in town. In modern times, Goffs is a living landmark museum that welcomes visitors to take a tour. One of the most famous attractions is the old school house, so be sure to check it out.   

Cruising down the long straight Goffs Road Route 66 alignment through the wide open spaces of the Mojave Desert is a memorable experience. The ghosts of the past linger in this place where simple entertainment is something you make on your own. The nostalgic feelings certainly will takeover, especially if this is done as a sunset trip. This is all the inspiration needed to log the timeless Goffs Road section on the books!.