Roy's is breathtaking. So much love and care was put into this place to make it what it is. My family and I had this on our list on our trip to palm springs and Joshua tree. It did not disappoint! When we return to the area, we will absolutely be back! Nichole was amazing! So friendly and knowledgeable about the area and she had such a desert vibe. She really made the experience. You can tell she truly loves what she does and does it well! Truly a gem I am so happy I got to see. Don't pass it up!! read more

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Unless you just want to see this place for curiosity, skip it. The store is just a tourist trap and the gas is of course crazy. read more

Roy's Motel & Cafe - Gas Stations Near Me - Amboy, California

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Interesting spot to come to. My son is currently interested in ghost towns or abandoned areas, which is why we decided to take the trip out here. The Cafe is a spot for snacks and souvenirs. Reeks of cigarettes and a bit pricey. Gas was over $7 a gallon and they pump it for you. We pissed through $20 of this gas going from here to Twentynine Palms (less than an hour away). The front desk of the hotel was probably my favorite part. It was a beautiful time capsule and a reminder of just how vibrant decor used to be. There's about 5 or 6 rooms you can go into. The rest of the hotel is closed off. You can see the Amboy Crater from there. Lots of great spots to take pictures. The owner of Juan Pollo restaurants owns this space along with the McDonald's museum and a military museum in San Bernardino. Cool spot to check out for sure. read more

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Interesting little gas station store on the way from vegas to California. It was a nice drive and a great place for a quick pit stop. They have cold drinks, snacks and friendly service! Can't ask for much more than that. read more

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It was so cool to find a air-conditioned café with friendly face in the middle of nowhere. This stop is a mess on your Route 66 trip. The volcano with remnants of lava is so WOW! Didn't expect to see that for our first stop on our Route 66 tour to Chicago! read more

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Must stop here for lots of photos, gas station has a lot of drinks and collectibles. Cute little magnets we got one with a little thermometer . There is portable toilets. read more

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Fun place to camp, lots of open space and off-roading fun. Not a lot of services in the area so be prepared. read more

Roy's Motel & Cafe - Gas Stations Near Me - Amboy, California

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Really great to stop to take in the sights but honestly, there is very little to do since the motel is out of business. Restrooms are porta potties but clean. Check out the lobby of the motel since they converted it into a piece of history. read more

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Picturesque service station in the middle of nowhere. For a while, when Route 66 was closed to the east, this place truly felt like it was at the end of the world. They have a convenience store which has snacks, souvenirs, and most importantly, ice cream. Limited services but always seems to be open. I always stop here when I'm wandering around the area. read more

Roy's Motel & Cafe - Kiddos eating snacks from the convenience store. - Gas Stations Near Me - Amboy, California

This is a pretty neat stop to take photos. The internet and cell service is really spotty out here and doesn't work in some places. It is located right on the side of the main road, and tons of people stop here to take pictures. Historic Route 66 vibes. We just stopped to see it after hiking at nearby Amboy crater, took some photos and headed home. Fun place to stop and see if you are driving through the area. read more

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Great store and customer service. It's the perfect spot to stop and take a break. Lovely piece of history

Visited hoping for some Route 66 nostalgia and left underwhelmed and disappointed. Looking online it made it seem that this was an operating café that had a fair amount of visitor traffic. When we arrived, we were wondering if it was even open. Part of the issue might be that route 66 to the east is closed, but this place seemed like a total ghost town. We went and looked into some of the motel rooms, where I thought that there were art exhibits, but they were empty, rundown and abandoned. There's what seems to be a historic display in the motel office that you can look into, but can't do much more than that. There's a monument plaque that you can read about Inside the actual store is a small variety of snacks and prepackaged ice cream, along with a few options for route 66 memorabilia. The place seemed disorganized. There was a attendant working behind the counter where there were a few seats, but she seemed very disinterested and actually helping anybody. Someone that was inside did order a cup of coffee but, I didn't see any sort of menu or prices for what they actually offered other than the prepackaged items. This place seems to be trying to pull on what little Route 66 nostalgia it has still going for it. But there's no extra effort to make it worth a stop. Drive by, grab a picture of the sign and maybe the Route 66 in the road, and head on out. Beyond a quick picture there's nothing here worth exploring. read more

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I went to the inaugural car show yesterday and had a great time. I've been to the town many times but I just had to attend this event. They had a lot of cool cars and trucks, food trucks, vendors and live music. They even allowed people to camp out and I car camped with my dog Frankie. We had a great time and I look forward to next year's event. I also look forward to seeing the renovations to the town and to the motels. read more

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This is the best, authentic, slice of Route 66 Americana I have experienced in ages! Superior hot dogs ( and chili dogs) cooked outside on a grill, and eaten on shaded picnic tables. The folks who run the place are super nice and welcoming. Roy's Cafe is well worth the stop. Looking forward to the hotel being opened in a couple of years. The view is wonderful! read more

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We had been to the Amboy Crater in the past and saw this little Cafe in the distance, so we decided to drive out and check it out while we were staying in Joshua Tree. It's about an hour drive from JT, but there's not many cars on the road so it ended up being a peaceful and beautiful drive. Super cool to see all the old buildings, gas station, and hotel. It looks like nothing has changed and you're walking back in time when you come here. They old hotel check-in room is set up as a museum that you look at through the window, and you can take a peek inside the old rooms. The gas station is staffed and sells some drinks, snacks, and souvenirs. Right on Route 66, so you'll also get a short little drive. A cool stop, but I don't think I would drive an hour to come here. Great stop if you're driving through or nearby, though. read more

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We drive this route quite often and Roy's is always a welcome sight. A fun stop with a good restaurant and fun history.

Very cute and attendee was very nice. Worth the stop to get the feel of route 66. No cafe is working here any longer but there are some snacks and bottled drinks for purchase. I wish they would have had more Roy's shirts... read more

Roy's Motel & Cafe - Gas Stations Near Me - Amboy, California

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This place is amazing and full of life again. In the past, it was just a place that we passed by to use the restrooms to visit Laughlin. Bathrooms were always maintained back then and the buildings were nice for photo ops, but you couldn't go inside. This year husbands and I came through taking Route 66 for vacation and we were expecting the same thing but were excited to see that the cafe was open and furniture is inside one of the store fronts. We bought snacks and a shirt. Service was amazing. Heard the cottages will soon be restored for guests to rent. We can't wait to come back. Beautiful to be able to step into the building and experience it like others did back in the heyday of Route 66. This really is a must stop at. read more

No, it is not a motel or cafe (at least when I was there last year), but at one time it was. The owner of the place, Albert Okura, was still alive at the time of my visit but he wasn't there. He had done a great job in restoring the area and I'm sure it was unfinished business at the time of his passing. He felt like it was his duty to restore CA Route 66 landmarks like this one. I was there as the sun was setting, and it seemed like the perfect time because the woman who was working there let me turn on the sign lights. Cool experience! You can buy souvenirs (Route 66-related) and some food, like what you would find at a gas station. But no running water, as there are Johnny toilets outside the building. I think you can get gas there. Great stop for Route 66 tourists. Be sure to bring money for souvenirs here. read more

We stopped here on our way to and from Joshua Tree Park via Vegas. It makes for a nice stop in the middle of nowhere. They have a lot of craft sodas if you are into that sort of thing, and plenty of Route 66 souvenirs. The old timey gas pumps are fun but the gas is a little on the pricey side so I wouldn't recommend getting it here if you can hold off for a little longer unless you want the novelty of it. As of Dec 2021 their bathrooms were not working so they had porta-potties outside. Not the most glamorous but it's probably the best bathroom you're gonna get within a 30 mile radius. Staff was nice and friendly, too. read more

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Heather was great! Long drive but, Awesome ghost town must see. A lot of abandoned building and just overall a cool place to come and visit.

Instagram, you got me again. Thank you. I'm thumbing through IG and came across Roy's Motel and Cafe. I decided on a whim to drive from Orange County to Amboy. We stopped at Victorville to eat a hearty breakfast, as we didn't know when our next meal would be. Our trip was May 15, 2021 and while Victorville was 70 degrees, we knew that Amboy would be 20 degrees hotter (so bring water!) We merged onto the highway 40 taking us towards Needles and Kingman, AZ (just like the Route 66 song!) and finally we got off toward Ludlow. Travel east towards Joshua Tree, pass the Amboy Crater and you'll enter the town of Amboy. You'll actually see the Roy's marquee in the distance. It's about 11 am and it's about 92 degrees now. Next to the Roy's marquee is the "motel" (being restored I heard), the cafe, and across the street is a gold Buddha and the Amboy post office (we didn't check to see if it was a working one). Roy's is quirky and as others have said, the only thing that's open is the Cafe, but its not even a working cafe. You can get sodas/ drinks, snacks and souvenirs. After photographing the marquee, the Route 66 shield on the highway, we picked up 2 "route 66" sodas, filled up our tank (at $4.99 a gallon!) and drove the actual Route 66 back to Barstow, before finally hopping on the freeway back to the OC. Note: The Route 66 will add more time to your destination. There's nothing to see on the actual route, but you can say you drove it. read more

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More of a novelty stop. I drove way out of the way to just get here, mainly to see where scenes from The Hitcher was filmed and kind of a Rt 66 nostalgia. Did go in to get real small bag of ice....for $4, and a shirt. read more

Roy's Motel & Cafe - Gas Stations Near Me - Amboy, California

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Thank you to Ken at Roy's, nice little rest stop along the famous Route 66. Interesting snacks, drinks, and merchandise. read more

Roy's Motel & Cafe - Gas Stations Near Me - Amboy, California

Small little gift shop on historic Route 66? I can't remember. They have souvenirs and pop for the tourists heading to amboy crater. read more

Roy's Motel & Cafe - Gas Stations Near Me - Amboy, California

We enjoyed our stop at Roy's today on our way home from Laughlin! Miss Nicole was helpful and friendly. I got a cup of espresso per her recommendation and it was great! As usual, we picked up a couple of souvenirs to do our little part to support this wonderful Route 66 landmark. Hope to stop by again soon read more

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Roy's Motel & Cafe is located on the iconic Route 66. Driving from Nevada to California, this stop offers (after a long haul) great cold drinks along with a chance to get your photos with the iconic Route 66 sign! Do not miss a chance to checkout their merchandise. P.S - clean washrooms! read more

Roy's Motel & Cafe - Gas Stations Near Me - Amboy, California

Roy's Motel and Cafe is in a Ghost town. Amboy California in the Mojave Desert at Route 66. When the Interstate Highway System was constructed, boom towns like this slowly withered away as Route 66 was obsoleted. But Amboy was purchased by Albert Okura, the owner of Juan Pollo in 2005. Walk around to check out the old Motel rooms. You can even walk around inside the rooms. Dont forget to peek inside the Motel Front Office. Look at the old Amboy school, cross the street to check out their post office! And of course, walk around the Gas Station and come in the Cafe! Snacks, drinks, souvenirs. Gas up here if running low on fuel! Next gas station is quite a ways away! Check out my You Tube Short on Roy's @socalweekendwalkarounds https://youtube.com/shorts/OohFds2gIyg?feature=share Albert Okura is the founder and CEO of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain in Southern California. He is also a philanthropist and is active in the revitalization of Historic Route 66. In 2005, Okura purchased the town of Amboy, California, which is located along Route 66. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Okura read more

It was cool to check out the little abandon hotel rooms. There's places to slap some stickers and a cool little store for snacks & souvenirs. Ms. Nicole in the store was super friendly and down for a chat. Glad we stopped here to check it out on the way home. read more

Best place to stop and take a cool photo with the famous neon sign would highly recommend stopping when the sun starts to set

Well I'm giving 4 stars for the gas , when your in the middle of no where the next service is 100 miles you tend to appreciate the Porta a potty I mean litterally. The gas and last sight of folks to speak with until your next fill up at a gas station somewhere after here. We drove out to Needles to hike the Amboy Crater before heading there we stopped for drinks , exploring the cafe gas stop and actually see the once booming popular route 66 that has been abandoned somewhat and unfinished by the new owner, however I am happy he decided to keep the gas station open. We arrived there was 2 employees here this day, however felt like there was one as this employee just kept talking to some gentleman and then disappeared with him leaving the store. Luckily for Us the gentleman there helped Us inside the shop. We bought 2 Cola's , pecan pie and a few trinkets. You truly have no cell service as I had a hard time checking in to try and leave a review day I was there. I didn't event get to collect my lanyard lol. Honestly, it was an awesome experience after hearing about this famous gas stop and past of motels back in its booming days. I walked the property of what once was that now has a bit of an eerie feeling when you begin to walk around in each motel room as doors where open to view with nothing inside them but trash Debrie of things left behind when the last person who tried to restore this location. They were hiring here last time I came thru , I'd love to work here as an experience for a year or two and meet many travelers coming thru a once booming town. I'm hoping that at sometime in the near future things will turn out for the new owner and he can revive this motel. It is an experience most definitely after reading and hearing stories of folks landing in a helicopter or small plane right in street. read more

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5.49 a gallon "in the middle of nowhere " maybe but... $6 a hotdog, $25 a tank top/souvenir cafe t-shirt, Free smelly and disgusting bathroom that I couldn't use to wash/rince my face... no thanks! worst tourist trap ever! I can't believe this place has 1 positive review. Stopped, took a pic and was glad I had brought my own water. Motel seems closed by the way... fences everywhere...and the staff at the station is really unfriendly. read more

Roy's Motel & Cafe - Gas Stations Near Me - Amboy, California

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Nice and hot outside and you get your gas pumped by the guy inside. Great customer service and very hot outside 1950s style I drove from Palm Springs to here and bake in under 3h read more

Roy's Motel & Cafe - Ok - Gas Stations Near Me - Amboy, California

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Step off the 40 and into Route 66 hasty. A very historic, and a must stop on Route 66. I guess it's pretty popular with the fans of the Movie Cars. Lol. Great owners who are bringing it back to its former glory. They make amazing chili dogs and have a great selection of sodas also. The gift shop portion has all the Route 66 and Roy's merch you could ever need. The vintage neon sign is now lit at night and looks amazing. There is always some restoration going on and every trip you take will get even better. Plus for being thirty miles from the next gas station the price for gas is very reasonable, by California standards. Several plaques are present stating the history of the area. read more

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I have stopped at Roy's many times over the years, but this last time was the worst. There were signs saying they were having a plumbing issue and you had to use the porta potties out front. I would've been better off squatting in the desert. One potty I tried to go in had fecal matter and toilet paper piled up to the seat. The rest weren't much better. It was disgusting. This is always one of my stops on my way to Vegas. This last time was disappointing. I hope they get their plumbing fixed soon. The gas is always super expensive no matter what. Not much food to speak of because the cafe part is no longer operating. Slim pickings on the snacks and one small fridge with sodas and water. The motel has become and art installation of sorts, because the motel hasn't been opened for business because the ground water in these parts is full of salt. There are salt mines out there. I'm happy they restored the old neon sign. I haven't had a chance to witness it at night yet. Roy's please take care of your plumbing problem and/or keep your porta potties clean. It's disgusting. The only reason I used the bathroom is because I am disabled and cannot squat in the desert. read more

Roy's Motel & Cafe - Iconic sign - Gas Stations Near Me - Amboy, California

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always a pleasure to stop off in Amboy. New owners are amazing and have started their project to make the cottages available to customers. going to be a while but it's progress. thank you for the lanyard. read more

So this one is a tough one to rate. The place is in Limbo, due to it's water and septic systems being broken, requiring huge $$$$$ to fix. I was told by a very cool attendant that thats why they can't finish the Motel and cabins, the investment is too big at the moment, Projected continuation is 2026. They should have a go-fund-me or some such thing. Its a landmark, and should be kept alive.Coffe comes from Keurig and bottled waters nd on weekends they have a bbq station outside selling delicious smoked dogs and burgers. I live near Joshua Tree, and make a point of taking an early morning drive in my convertible there at least once ever month. So how do you rate a place thats got no real services, but great ambition and potential? I give it 5 strs for ambiance and the friendliest service n many miles. read more

Roy's Motel & Cafe - Gas Stations Near Me - Amboy, California

Roy's Motel and Café,located in the scenic mojave desert of Southern California is a historical motel, café, gas station and auto repair shop,has colorful and storied past and is now being largely restored, on the National Trails Highway of U.S. Route 66! The historic site is an example of roadside Mid-Century Modern architecture. Theres loads of IG photo ops here as well as film and digital camera photography opportunities! There are lots of great side trips on your family fun journey to Roys! Theres trails,crater views,long stretches if mountain surrounded desert landscapes and ofcourse,Roys as a cool destination! . . . . . #roysmotelandcafe #waynesalvatti #seetheusa #photografxworldwide #igamboy #californiadeserts #californiadreamin #californiadreaming #iloveroys ##roysmotel #amboycalifornia #ilovethedesert #nationaltrailshighway read more

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There's no other way of looking at it -- Amboy, California, is about as remote as it gets. It's been on my list of places to check out for years. But you know, there is just about NOTHING -- I mean nothing -- around this remote section of Route 66 in the Mohave Desert of California. If driving from Los Angeles, it takes about 3.5 hours to get here. You'll feel worlds away from the bright lights of LA. But Amboy's odd backstory sounds ripe for a good Hollywood script. In the early 1900's, Amboy was a thriving town mostly due to the railroad that passed nearby. There were several businesses, including cafes, a gas station and plenty of people wandering the streets. Today, you'll still find many of these structures still standing. But hardly a soul. When the Interstate highway was built just north of town, visitors no longer needed to stop by Amboy. And the place became a near ghost town. Part of the fun with this stop is just seeing how eerie it is. And getting some pretty cool photos (it's all about the Insta these days). But the story of Amboy is equally unique. In 2003, the town was officially listed for sale on eBay for $1.9 million dollars. But who on earth would buy a dying town? You just don't stumble across Amboy -- Interstate 40 just north of the town zips right past it. You need to be on a mission to get here. It wasn't until 2005 that Albert Okura, who made a small fortune as the founder of the fried chicken fast food chain Juan Pollo, agreed to pay $425,000 in cash for the town. This isn't the only spot that Okura owns. In fact, we visited the eccentric investor's McDonalds museum in San Bernardino -- packed sky-high with McDonald's memorabilia at the fast food chain's original shop. I can't tell you how many times I yelled out, "I remember that happy meal toy!" Okura has poured in his own money into rebuilding this long-forgotten stretch of Route 66. Today, the main draw is a gas station that provides some of the best photo opps. You'll also find a tiny cafe here, where you can pick up snacks, water and Route 66 souvenirs. In total, we spent about an hour wandering around Amboy. Keep in mind, the weather is extreme. We visited here in July where temperatures were well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the wind blew sand into our eyes. If you're visiting during cooler months, you might want to check out the Amboy Crater, an extinct volcano that rises above a vast lava field. It's a 4.1 mile hike out and back, taking you to the base of the cinder cone. read more

A really cool stop on Route 66. We are traveling through and stopped for the night in Amboy at Roy's. Thanks to Harvest Hosts or we would have probably never known about it. My suggestion, get off the interstate and take the trip through Amboy on Route 66. The folks at the Gas Station were awesome. The craft sodas from all over were fun. They even had Stewart's Soda's from back home! We also had a couple of 1/4 lb hotdogs served with a side of fantastic conversation with the staff. read more

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