Major Highways & Driving Tips in Phoenix, United States
1. Loop 101 (Pima Freeway)
A major east-west freeway connecting Phoenix with the nearby cities of Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale. It's known for its multiple carpool lanes.
- Carpool Lanes: Helps reduce traffic congestion during peak hours
- Easy Access to Major Cities: Provides quick access to key urban areas in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area
- Rush Hour Congestion: Expect heavy traffic during rush hours, especially around major interchanges
2. I-17 (Black Canyon Freeway)
North-South highway that connects Phoenix with Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. It offers stunning desert views but can be prone to accidents due to its winding roads.
- Scenic Beauty: Provides breathtaking vistas of the Sonoran Desert and the Black Canyon
- North-South Connection: Connects Phoenix with northern destinations like Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon
- Accident Prone: Be cautious, especially during high winds or rainfall due to its winding nature
3. US-60 (Superstition Freeway)
East-West highway connecting Phoenix with Apache Junction and the Superstition Mountains. It offers a scenic drive but can be busy during weekends due to recreational traffic.
- Scenic Drive: Offers beautiful views of the Superstition Mountains
- Recreational Traffic: Expect increased traffic on weekends, especially during popular hiking seasons
- East-West Connection: Connects Phoenix with Apache Junction and destinations eastward
4. I-10 (Phoenix-Tucson Loop)
Runs west-east through Phoenix, connecting it with Tucson and the California border. It's known for its long stretches of straight roads but can be busy during holidays.
- Long Straight Roads: Allows for safe and quick driving over long distances
- Holiday Traffic: Expect increased traffic during holiday seasons, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas
- West-East Connection: Connects Phoenix with Tucson and the California border
5. AZ-51 (Phoenix-Mesa Loop)
Circular highway connecting Phoenix and Mesa. It offers convenient access to Sky Harbor International Airport but can be busy during peak travel times.
- Airport Access: Provides easy access to Phoenix's main international airport
- Peak Travel Times: Expect increased traffic during peak travel times, especially early mornings and evenings
- Circular Highway: Connects Phoenix with Mesa in a circular route
6. US-60 (Salt River Bridge)
A major bridge crossing the Salt River between Tempe and Mesa. It offers stunning views of Tempe Town Lake but can be congested during rush hours.
- Scenic Views: Provides beautiful views of Tempe Town Lake and the surrounding desert
- Rush Hour Congestion: Expect heavy traffic during rush hours, especially around major interchanges
- East-West Connection: Connects Tempe and Mesa in an east-west direction
7. SH-85 (Loop 202 Santan Freeway)
East-West highway connecting Phoenix with Queen Creek and the San Tan Valley. It's known for its convenient access to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.
- Airport Access: Provides easy access to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport
- East-West Connection: Connects Phoenix with Queen Creek and the San Tan Valley
- Rush Hour Congestion: Expect heavy traffic during rush hours, especially around major interchanges
8. AZ-143 (Piestewa Freeway)
North-South highway connecting Phoenix with Glendale. It offers convenient access to the University of Phoenix Stadium but can be busy during sports events.
- Sports Venue Access: Provides easy access to the University of Phoenix Stadium
- North-South Connection: Connects Phoenix with Glendale in a north-south direction
- Event Traffic: Expect increased traffic during sports events and concerts at the stadium
9. SH-34 (Red Mountain Freeway)
East-West highway connecting Phoenix with Mesa. It offers scenic views of the Red Mountains but can be prone to accidents due to its winding roads.
- Scenic Drive: Offers beautiful views of the Red Mountains
- Winding Roads: Be cautious, especially during high winds or rainfall due to its winding nature
- East-West Connection: Connects Phoenix with Mesa in an east-west direction
10. AZ-260 (Apache Trail)
Scenic highway connecting Apache Junction and the Superstition Mountains. It offers stunning desert views but is not recommended for inexperienced drivers.
- Scenic Drive: Offers beautiful views of the Sonoran Desert and the Superstition Mountains
- Unsuitable for Inexperienced Drivers: Not recommended for inexperienced drivers due to its narrow, winding roads
- Mountain Connection: Connects Apache Junction with the Superstition Mountains
11. AZ-87 (Cactus Road)
North-South highway connecting Wickenburg and Casa Grande. It offers a scenic drive but can be busy during weekends due to recreational traffic.
- Scenic Drive: Offers beautiful views of the Sonoran Desert
- Recreational Traffic: Expect increased traffic on weekends, especially during popular hiking seasons
- North-South Connection: Connects Wickenburg and Casa Grande in a north-south direction
12. US-60 (Apache Trail)
Scenic highway connecting Apache Junction and the Superstition Mountains. It offers stunning desert views but can be prone to accidents due to its winding roads.
- Scenic Drive: Offers beautiful views of the Sonoran Desert and the Superstition Mountains
- Winding Roads: Be cautious, especially during high winds or rainfall due to its winding nature
- Mountain Connection: Connects Apache Junction with the Superstition Mountains
13. AZ-74 (Glendale Avenue)
North-South road connecting Phoenix and Glendale. It offers easy access to shopping centers but can be busy during rush hours.
- Shopping Access: Provides easy access to various shopping centers
- Rush Hour Congestion: Expect heavy traffic during rush hours, especially around major interchanges
- North-South Connection: Connects Phoenix with Glendale in a north-south direction
14. AZ-202 (Red Mountain Freeway)
East-West highway connecting Phoenix and Mesa. It offers scenic views of the Red Mountains but can be prone to accidents due to its winding roads.
- Scenic Drive: Offers beautiful views of the Red Mountains
- Winding Roads: Be cautious, especially during high winds or rainfall due to its winding nature
- East-West Connection: Connects Phoenix with Mesa in an east-west direction
15. AZ-88 (Cave Creek Road)
North-South road connecting Phoenix and Carefree. It offers a scenic drive but can be busy during weekends due to recreational traffic.
- Scenic Drive: Offers beautiful views of the Sonoran Desert
- Recreational Traffic: Expect increased traffic on weekends, especially during popular hiking seasons
- North-South Connection: Connects Phoenix with Carefree in a north-south direction