These 9 Beautiful Byways In Arizona Are Perfect For A Scenic Drive
If there’s anything we can all agree on, it’s that Arizona has some spectacular scenery. Look in any direction and you’re bound to find something that will catch your eye. So, let’s take a look at just a few of our state’s roads that offer spectacular views to inspire your next road trip. All of these amazing Arizona byways are easily among the best scenic drives in Arizona – and we know you’ll agree.
The initial drive along this road from the outskirts of Apache Junction to Tortilla Flat doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. However, once you pass the little town and descend into the steep switchbacks and narrow lanes, you’ll see the white-knuckled fright so many talk about. Besides the scare, the drive along here does have some incredible views of the desert, the river, and reservoirs up to Roosevelt Lake. It's one of the more interesting Arizona byways out there.
Approximately 100 miles in length, this scenic road shows you that Navajoland isn’t just the red rock scenery at Monument Valley. This route takes you from Canyon de Chelly in Chinle through forested areas like Wheatfields and then down to Window Rock, the capital of the Navajo Nation. Be sure to stop for mutton stew and some fresh fry bread or tortillas while you’re in the area.
This stretch of road runs from Globe to the junction of the 60 and State Route 79, shuttling you through traditional Apache homelands with desert flora and striking rock formations. You also get a good view of all the mining that happens in this area. It's one of the best scenic drives in Arizona!
Do we really need to explain why driving along Route 66 - both the sections now sitting under Interstate 40 and the two-lane roads still managing to exist - is a great idea? Check out a previous article about some of the amazing finds you will see along this highway.
This trip across part of western Arizona shows off two of Arizona’s deserts: the Sonoran and the Mojave. In addition to the minimal scenes of the desert and mountains, you also get an up-close view of the Joshua trees that line the landscape here. The official route stops in Wikieup, but keep going up to Kingman for more views of the Mojave desert.
This road takes you along Route 180 for a perfect view of the San Francisco Peaks and other mountains in the area. The official drive is only about 31 miles but we suggest taking it all the way to Valle for a complete hour and stop by for a snack. It's one of our very favorite Arizona byways.
This route always takes out-of-staters by surprise, especially in winter, when the trees and red rocks are coated in snow. Other times of the year, you get to see Mingus Mountain, the old hillside mining towns, and the world-famous red rocks surrounding Sedona.
Hiking the Santa Catalinas is an amazing experience, but if you think that all you can handle is a scenic drive, you should try this route, which will drop you off a short distance from Mount Lemmon’s summit.
Those were some pretty amazing photos, right? They also look so much more impressive in person! Be sure to let us know which drives are your pick for the best scenic drives in Arizona. Check out more of our ideas for beautiful road trips in Arizona, too.
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Address: Apache Trail, Arizona, USA
Address: Coronado Trail, Morenci, AZ, USA
Address: Route 12, Rte 12, Cibecue, AZ 85911, USA
Address: U.S. 60, US-60, Superior, AZ, USA
Address: Historic Route 66, 13706-13734, E Old Rte 66, Parks, AZ 86018, USA
Address: Arizona's Joshua Tree Forest, Meadview, AZ 86444, USA
Address: U.S. 180, US-180, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
Address: Arizona 89A, AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ, USA
Address: Catalina Highway, Catalina Hwy, Arizona, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Scenic Drives In Arizona
June 30, 2021
Tori Jane
What are some of the best Arizona byways?
Arizona is easily one of the most beautiful states in the USA, and for lots of reasons; we’re home to one of the most incredible natural wonders in the world – the Grand Canyon – and some of the most incredible landscape photos ever taken were taken here. It’s only natural that we’re chock-full of incredible byways to drive any time the whim strikes you. Some of the best include amazing drives like the SR-89A from Prescott to Flagstaff, where you’ll pass through so many iconic Arizona scenes that you’ll need to get out of the car and take pictures over and over. Historic Route 66 is an awesome drive to take if you have a whole weekend to do it, and the Apache Trail is beautiful, too. Or, if you’re brave, you can take the epic Coronado Trail National Scenic Byway, which is said to be the curviest road in the US. No matter which one you choose, you’ll find so many things to love about Arizona.
What are the most scenic drives in Arizona?
Where to start! There are so many that it’s difficult to narrow it down to just a few, but we can try. Some of the best scenic drives in Arizona include Dry Creek Scenic Road, which takes explorers through beautiful, world-famous red rocks in Sedona. The US-93 from Wickenburg to Wickieup is another incredible drive, where you’ll see the fascinating cousin to the desert yucca plants: tons and tons of Joshua Trees for as far as the eye can see. The Mingus Mountain scenic road going into Jerome is another great one.
What are the most beautiful road trips in Arizona?
Again, it’s almost impossible to narrow it down to just a couple. Arizona is full of incredible roadways, and you can come up with a road trip for just about everything from ghost towns to haunted places to amazing canyons to incredible landscapes. For some ideas for your next beautiful road trip in Arizona, this article might serve up some awe-inspiring inspiration!
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Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
