Arizona Scenic Drives – Road Tripping Through AZ
If it’s too hot to hike or you just want a leisurely way to see this state’s rugged beauty there are so many pretty Arizona drives you can take. I love to drive not in rush hour traffic, but a beautiful lazy drive to see the beauty of the state.
From deserts to forests I’m going to share the most breathtaking scenic road trips you can take in Arizona. Let’s take the long way and you just might fall in love with Arizona’s scenic roads.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
My Favorite Arizona Scenic Drives
5 Scenic Arizona Drives You’ll Never Forget
Back roads, off the beaten path, let’s take the long way and see some of Arizona’s prettiest routes.
- Apache Trail
- Oak Creek Canyon
- Wickenburg to Jerome
- Gates Pass
- Coronado Trail Scenic Byway
- Red Rock Scenic Byway
- Route 66
- Sky Island Scenic Byway
- Superior to Globe
- Salt River Canyon
- Monument Valley
- Vulture Mine Road
Apache Trail Scenic Drive
A 48-mile narrow drive that starts out on paved roads and turns into dirt roads that twist along steep canyon walls. The Apache Trail is often referred to as a smaller version of the Grand Canyon.
It is hands-down the best scenic drive to take near Phoenix.
This ride takes you through the ghost town of Tortilla Flat and ends at Roosevelt Dam. If you plan on riding a motorcycle your trip will end at Tortilla Flat. If you would like to drive the complete trail you will need a higher clearance vehicle.
Superior to Globe, Arizona Scenic Drives
A 24-mile drive with some amazing views. Striking rock formations on both sides of the road make this an enjoyable drive. This drive is fun is fun on a bike due to the turns on the road.
Sedona Scenic Drive – Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive 89A North to Flagstaff
The Sedona area has several scenic drives, which you could combine for a longer road trip. One of the most popular ones is a 24-mile long paved drive through spectacular Oak Creek Canyon. This one will take you from Sedona to the cool pine forests of Flagstaff.
Red Rock Scenic Byway State Route 179
If you’ve driven from Phoenix to Sedona chances are you drove on the Red Rock Scenic Byway. Once you exit for Sedona from Interstate 17 you will drive through some gorgeous red rock formations on Red Rock Scenic byway.
Wickenburg to Jerome – Mingus Mountain Scenic Drive
If you want a long road trip, my personal favorite route is to take the back roads to Jerome.
From Phoenix you’ll drive through the old western town of Wickenburg, through Prescott follow 89A as it winds through the Mingus Mountains to Jerome. This 100-mile road will take you through some incredible scenery.
Sky Island Scenic Byway: Mount Lemmon Highway to Summerville
This Arizona scenic drive takes you from Tucson to a cooler climate in Summerville. The Sky Island Scenic byway is a paved road that climbs 9,157-foot Mount Lemmon in the rugged Santa Catalina Mountains. Read More about Mount Lemmon…
Gates Pass: Saguaro National Park
Tucson Mountain Park to Saguaro National Park Scenic Drive is a 22-mile-long paved and gravel scenic drive that traverses Gates Pass and Tucson Mountain Park, passes the famed Arizona–Sonoran Desert.
Coronado Trail Scenic Byway (Devil’s Highway)
Hwy 191 from Clifton to Alpine, also known as the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway and Devil’s Highway, is one of the curviest roads in the U.S. This 90 mile road offers lots of tight curves (10 mph) right after another and will take about 2. 5 hours to drive.
Monument Valley
You can take a tour through Monument Valley or you can take the scenic drive yourself. We drove the motorcycle through Monument Valley. It is an absolutely stunning ride. You can no longer drive a motorcycle on the 17-mile loop, but you can drive your car or take a tour.
The iconic red mesas and buttes against the vast desert backdrop create a scene straight out of a classic Western movie.
Route 66 Arizona Scenic Drive
If you haven’t driven the historic Route 66 in Arizona, what are you waiting for? This is the classic U.S. road trip. The Mother Road in Arizona is roughly 370-miles taking you from the New Mexico/Arizona border to the California/Arizona border. Read More about Route 66…
Vulture Mine Road
A short 14.5 mile scenic drive from Wickenburg to Vulture City Ghost Town offers sweeping desert and mountain views. This curvy road is short, but it is fun to drive on and you can visit an old mining town. Read More about Wickenburg…
