Summary:

Westbound Interstate 40 travelers should take Exit 311, drive through the park and connect with Highway 180 at the south end. Highway 180 north returns to Interstate 40 via Holbrook.

Eastbound Interstate 40 travelers should exit at Holbrook and travel on Highway 180 South to the park's south entrance. Drive north through the park to return to Interstate 40.

Local Towns:
Holbrook

Camping & RV:
No campgrounds or lodging are available in the park, but nearby communities offer full service accommodations. I stayed at a nice KOA in Holbrook with lots of activities.

Overnight backpacking is available in the Petrified Forest Wilderness. A free permit is required and can be obtained at the Painted Desert Visitor Center or Rainbow Forest Museum. Permits must be procured at least 1 hour before closing.

Notes:
There are signs all over the place warning of penalties for stealing rocks. I understand a lot of this happened in earlier years when many people thought taking wood was okay. I'm sorry it's disappeared, but it was really tiresome reading more about threats than about the local scenery.

There are "inspection stations" on the way out, but I'm not sure if they can search without reasonable cause. I was asked to declare rock sample on the way in. Travelers are given a form and encouraged to turn in seen taking objects.