Roy's Motel Cafe - Vintage Route 66 Highway, Route 66 Photo, Amboy California, Motel Photo, Vintage Print, Paper, Canvas, Acrylic, or Metal

Driving west along Route 66 in late 2021, I reached Amboy, California, and found myself standing before one of the most iconic landmarks on the Mother Road: the towering neon sign at Roy’s Motel and Cafe. At the time, this was the furthest west I’d ever been on Route 66, a journey that had been both thrilling and bittersweet. Just a few miles east of Amboy, the road was impassable due to damaged bridges, forcing detours that only added to the mystique of the route. Standing there, with the vast Mojave Desert stretching endlessly around me, I knew I had to capture the essence of this historic stop.

Roy’s Motel and Cafe has a storied history dating back to its founding in 1938 by Roy Crowl. Originally a service station, it later grew into a full-service motel, cafe, and gas station, catering to the many travelers who once relied on Route 66 as a lifeline through the desert. Amboy was once a bustling waypoint, but the opening of Interstate 40 in the 1970s left towns like Amboy struggling for survival. Today, Roy’s operates as a gas station and visitor stop. The site draws travelers, photographers, and dreamers, all captivated by its retro aesthetic and timeless spirit.

As I stood beneath the bold red arrow and retro lettering of the sign, the desert seemed to come alive around me. The late afternoon sun painted the sky in hues of blue and white, with clouds drifting lazily across the horizon. The air was warm and dry, carrying the faint scent of sunbaked asphalt and desert sage. A quiet stillness pervaded the scene, broken only by the occasional hum of a car passing through or the rustle of a breeze against the empty motel buildings.

Setting up my camera, I framed the sign against the vivid desert sky, aiming to capture the enduring spirit of Route 66 that Roy’s represents. The bold colors of the sign stood in sharp contrast to the soft, muted tones of the surrounding landscape. As I snapped the photo, I couldn’t help but imagine how spectacular this sign must look at sunset, its neon lights glowing against the twilight sky. A return trip, I decided, was not just a hope but a necessity.

Taking this photo felt like capturing a piece of history, a tribute to the road that has inspired generations of travelers. The scene was a sensory tapestry: the visual drama of the sign, the vastness of the desert, the quiet hum of life on Route 66. It was a moment of stillness and connection, a reminder of why I chase these fleeting, iconic images.

As I packed up my camera and prepared to continue my journey, I glanced back at the sign one last time. Roy’s isn’t just a relic; it’s a beacon, standing tall against the sands of time. I know I’ll return one day, perhaps at sunset, to see those neon lights blaze to life and to once again stand in awe of this enduring symbol of the American road trip.

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Production and Shipping Time: 5-7 business days

Premium Photo Paper: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.

Ready-to-Hang Canvas: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.

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This option is available in 8x10 inches, 11x14 inches, 16x20 inches or 24x36.
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