Posted in Arizona Trips February 23, 2022 by

Stretching 500 Miles, U.S. Route 191 Offers One Of The Sweetest And Most Scenic Drives In Arizona

Scenic drives are pretty much around every corner here in Arizona, and we have another one for your bucket list: US-191 runs for nearly 500 miles in the Grand Canyon State, showcasing quaint small towns, winding mountain roads, and the wide-open desert landscape we all know and love.

Spanning over 1,600 miles in total, U.S. Route 191 stretches all the way from southern Arizona to the Canada-US border.
Wikimedia Commons/TheFriendlyFiend
It was designated in 1926, and is one of the longest three-digit routes in the country.
The Arizona portion of the highway measures just under 500 miles, beginning in Cochise County at the intersection with Arizona State Route 80 (SR-80) and Historic U.S. Route 80 (Historic US-80) near Douglas.
Wikimedia Commons/Daniel Schwen
Eventually, you'll cross the Gila River via Guthrie Bridge.
Wikimedia Commons/JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD
This beautiful, historic structure underwent a replacement in 2008-2009, but it's still just as timeless as ever.
The stretch between Springerville and Morenci is a National Scenic Byway, given the name "Coronado Trail" because it approximates the path taken by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado between 1540 and 1542.
Wikimedia Commons/Wars
This treacherous mountain road is the primary point of access to the iconic Canyon de Chelly National Monument, traversing the Navajo Nation before entering Utah.
Small towns like Witch Well, with a population of just over 4,000 permanent residents, remind us of how truly charming Arizona can be.
Wikimedia Commons/Šarūnas Burdulis
Known as "one of America's last frontiers," this little piece of the Old West has remained virtually unchanged since pioneer days.
Nothing quite compares to wide open desert roads.
Wikimedia Commons/Andreas F. Borchert
This town is called Beautiful Valley, and we couldn't agree with the name more.
With mountaintops veiled by wispy clouds, the scenery on this route never ceases to amaze.
Wikimedia Commons/Ken Lund
You'll remember these views for many years to come!

Have you ever driven on U.S. 191 in Arizona? If so, what’s your favorite sight along the way? Let us know, and check out our previous article for more scenic drives with epic windshield views: These 9 Beautiful Byways In Arizona Are Perfect For A Scenic Drive.

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Address: US-191, Pearce, AZ, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Scenic Drives in Arizona

February 27, 2022
Tori Jane

What are some of the places with the best views in Arizona?  

Arizona is an amazingly scenic state with so many amazing views that it’s pretty much impossible to pick which one is THE best one. After all, with so much competition when it comes to epic views, it’s just too hard to decide. However, there are some that we really, really love, and we think you will, too. Some of our favorite views in Arizona include the incredible overlook at Havasu Falls, which can only be reached via an 11-mile hike (or helicopter). It’s an amazing lookout point at the most amazing waterfall in the Copper State, and it’s a can’t-miss. Monument Valley is another world-famous viewpoint in Arizona, and if you’ve never been, you NEED to – the view of the entire valley from a certain famous vantage point is another bucket list item that should be checked off sooner than later. Sedona is incredible, with tons of awesome hikes featuring views to die for, and even Phoenix Metro has its great viewing spots – hike Camelback Mountain for 360-degree views of one of our country’s fastest-growing cities. Need more ideas? Check out this list of 15 epic mountain views in Arizona!  

What are some of the prettiest places in Arizona? 

That question is difficult to answer simply for the sheer number of ridiculously photogenic and/or scenic places in Arizona. Some of our favorites naturally include the most popular destinations like the entire town of Sedona (truly magical), the drive from Sedona to Flagstaff via the 89A north, and, of course, the Grand Canyon. That being said, there are many others that are harder and/or less commonly accessed, like Antelope Canyon, which can only be explored via a tour guide that you enter a lottery for. Mount Lemmon, and the entire drive to its summit, is absolutely unreal – you travel through numerous ecosystems on the way up, and it’s one of the most unique drives in the country. Camelback Mountain is amazing, and Meteor Crater, in Northern Arizona, is as fascinating as it is historically (and geologically) significant. We could go on all day, but those are good places to start.