Arizona was made for road trips. The highways stretch through red rock, pine forest, canyon country, and wide desert plains that seem to go on forever. Every few miles, the scenery changes. Whether you’ve got a full weekend or just a single day, these drives show off the best of the state, the kind of routes that make you roll the windows down and forget about the clock.
This short stretch of Highway 179 packs more beauty into 15 miles than most states manage in hundreds. As soon as you leave Interstate 17, the landscape opens into towering red cliffs and glowing mesas. Stop at Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, or Chapel of the Holy Cross for quick hikes and unbeatable photos. It’s an easy day trip from Scottsdale, and it never gets old.
If nostalgia is your thing, the drive from Seligman to Kingman is pure Americana. Old diners, neon signs, and quirky roadside shops keep Route 66 alive. Grab a burger at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In or a milkshake at Mr. D’z Diner, and take your time soaking in the history. Every stop feels like stepping back into another era.
For cooler air and big mountain views, the Mogollon Rim Road (Forest Road 300) runs above the Rim for nearly 50 miles of pure pine and panoramic vistas. It’s partly paved, partly dirt, and completely worth it. Bring a picnic and stop at one of the overlooks, the view stretches for miles across the high country.
East of Phoenix, this historic route winds through the Superstition Mountains with hairpin turns and jaw-dropping desert views. Canyon Lake sparkles between cliffs, and the old mining town of Tortilla Flat is a perfect lunch stop. It’s part adventure, part history lesson, and all Arizona.
If you want an iconic desert drive, head north to Monument Valley. The red mesas rising from the desert floor look straight out of an old western, because they are. Take the 17-mile Valley Drive inside the Navajo Tribal Park, or just pull over along Highway 163 for one of the most photographed stretches of road in the world.
Start in Tucson and make your way south through Tombstone, then on to Bisbee, one of Arizona’s quirkiest small towns. You’ll see wild west history, mountain views, and maybe a ghost or two. Bisbee’s colorful streets, vintage hotels, and artsy vibe make it a perfect weekend stop.
Driving here feels like flipping through postcards, each mile tells a new story. Whether you chase the sunset in Sedona or the stars in Monument Valley, Arizona’s open roads remind you that the journey is the real destination.
For route maps, local eats, and more scenic drives, visit our digital magazine at ExploreDinePlay.com and plan your next Arizona road trip.
