Arizona has a soft spot for old-fashioned root beer, and a handful of stops still make it in house instead of pouring it from a can. Pair that fizzy mug with a hot burger and crispy fries, and you have the kind of meal that turns a long drive into a reason to pull over.
The four spots below stretch from the high country of Winslow down to the interstate towns near Eloy, and each one does root beer a little differently. If you are the type who saves a good food list for your next road trip, keep this one handy.
1. Root Beer Stand, Winslow, AZ
Carhop service is a rare find these days, and this Winslow stop still keeps it going alongside counter ordering. That old-school setup fits the whole vibe here, where the root beer is made on site rather than shipped in.
The menu keeps things simple and satisfying. Jumbo burgers, a well-known super burger, fries, and chili cheese fries do most of the heavy lifting, and the homemade root beer ties it all together.
For dessert, root beer floats and soft serve round out the order without complicating things. The food leans affordable, usually landing in the ten to twenty dollar range per person.
Plan around the schedule if you are making the trip. Hours run Monday through Friday from 11 AM to 7 PM and Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM, and the stand is closed on Sunday.
You will find it at 1001 N Williamson Ave in northern Arizona, with a free parking lot and street parking that rarely fills up. It is a casual, family-friendly spot built for a quick bite, so bring an appetite and a little patience during the Friday afternoon rush.
2. Mr D’z Route 66 Diner & Gift Shop, Kingman, AZ
Vintage Americana covers nearly every corner of this Kingman diner, which sits right along historic Route 66 next to a train and a big Route 66 sign. It is the kind of stop road trippers actually detour for.
The homemade root beer is the headliner, served in a frosted mug with free refills. That alone makes it a favorite of root beer fans passing through town.
Burgers do the rest of the talking. The AM burger stacks a cheeseburger with egg, bacon, and hash browns, while the Patty Melt, bacon cheeseburger, and a jalapeno version stuffed with cream cheese give you plenty of reasons to come back.
Beyond burgers, the menu spans hot dogs like the Pepper Dog and Harley Dog, a Reuben, a grilled chicken sandwich, and open-face roasted beef. Floats, shakes, and a gift shop round out the visit.
Open daily from 7 AM to 9 PM, it handles breakfast through dinner. Reservations are accepted, there is a kids’ menu and high chairs, and dogs are welcome at outdoor seating.
Find it at 105 E Andy Devine Ave.
3. A&W Restaurant, Prescott Valley, AZ
Few chains carry the root beer legacy the way A&W does, and this Prescott Valley location still makes its root beer in house. That house-made mug is the reason plenty of folks steer off the highway here.
The setup leans retro and comfortable. Expect a clean dining room, outdoor seating with comfy furniture, and TVs to watch while you work through your order.
On the food side, you get the classic A&W lineup of burgers, chicken tenders that come out hot and juicy, and fries. If you want something different for dessert, the Caramel Root Beer Cream Freeze offers a vegan twist on the usual float.
A drive-through makes it easy for anyone in a hurry, though the outdoor seating is worth staying for. It is good for groups and family friendly, with a kids’ menu and high chairs available.
Hours run daily from 10 AM to 9 PM, and parking is free and plentiful. You will find it at 6640 N Viewpoint Dr in central Arizona, an easy stop if you are exploring the Prescott area.
4. A&W, Eloy, AZ
Some people will drive an hour just for the A&W mugs, and this Eloy location sits right where a road trip meal makes sense. Off the interstate corridor in southern Arizona, it is a natural fuel-and-food stop.
House-made root beer is the star, and the floats built from it are the thing to order. A creamy strawberry shake gives you another sweet option if floats are not your speed.
The burgers come good-sized and flavorful, backed by crispy fries and chili cheese fries for anyone who likes a little more on the plate. The whole menu stays in that comfortable ten to twenty dollar range.
The setting is casual and family friendly, with helpful servers keeping the food hot and fresh. There are other quick-service options nearby if your group cannot agree on one thing.
Hours run daily from 9 AM to 10 PM, which gives it a longer window than most stops on this list. Parking is free and easy at 2929 S Toltec Rd, making it a simple detour when you are passing through.
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