Roy's Motel & Café
Amboy, CA
Its Googie sign in the middle of the Mojave has been photographed more than almost any other on the road. Stop for a cold drink.
Roy Crowl founded Roy’s in Amboy, in the middle of the Mojave Desert, in 1938 as a gas station on what was then U.S. Route 66, now National Trails Highway. In the 1940s his son-in-law Herman “Buster” Burris joined him, and the business grew to include a café, a repair garage and lodging for travelers. The striking boomerang-style neon sign went up on February 1, 1959. Architecturally the complex is an example of Googie and Mid-Century Modern design.
When Interstate 40 opened in 1972, business collapsed. The café building and gas station were restored and reopened on April 28, 2008; the motel is not in operation, and sources differ on whether the café is open (as of October 2026). A short stop is enough to photograph the sign. Bring water and fuel, because the area is very remote, and check beforehand whether the gas station and café are open.
- Nearest town
- Amboy, CA
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 34.5580, -115.7436
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–December. Still fine, with some compromises, in January–February, May and September. Hot in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Kelbaker BouldersCampsite14 mi from Roy's Motel & Café
- Van Winkle MountainCampsite17 mi from Roy's Motel & Café
- Hidden HillsCampsite18 mi from Roy's Motel & Café
- Kelso Dunes MineCampsite23 mi from Roy's Motel & CaféFree
All campsites in California · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Roy's Motel & Café?
Roy's Motel & Café is in Amboy, CA, at GPS 34.5580, -115.7436. It is about 34 mi from Twentynine Palms.
Can you camp near Roy's Motel & Café?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Kelbaker Boulders, about 14 mi away; within 25 mi there are 4 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Roy's Motel & Café?
Roy's Motel & Café is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Route 66, part two: Oklahoma City to the Pacific.
What is there to see near Roy's Motel & Café?
Places worth a stop nearby: Amboy Crater (3 mi), Kelso Dunes (24 mi), Kelso Depot (32 mi) and Hole-in-the-Wall (39 mi).
When is the best time to visit Roy's Motel & Café?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–December. Still fine, with some compromises, in January–February, May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)