Arizona's interstate and U.S. highways form a critical transportation network, connecting major cities and facilitating travel across the state. Key interstates include Interstate 10 (I-10), which spans from California to New Mexico and passes through Phoenix and Tucson, covering about 392 miles in Arizona. Interstate 17 (I-17) connects Phoenix to Flagstaff, while Interstate 40 (I-40) runs east-west across northern Arizona, linking cities like Flagstaff and Kingman over 359 miles. Additionally, U.S. highways such as U.S. Route 60 and U.S. Route 93 provide crucial routes for regional travel, with U.S. 93 being a main corridor from Phoenix to Las Vegas. These highways support Arizona’s economy by facilitating trade and tourism, linking urban centers with scenic destinations like the Grand Canyon.
Arizona’s interstate and U.S. highways are vital components of the state’s transportation network, connecting urban centers, facilitating trade, and providing access to key attractions. Given Arizona's geographic position as a southwestern state bordered by California, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico, these highways are essential for regional travel and commerce. They span the state’s 113,990 square miles, crossing diverse landscapes from desert basins to mountainous regions.
Interstate 10, one of the longest interstates in the United States, stretches from Santa Monica, California, to Jacksonville, Florida. In Arizona, I-10 serves as a primary east-west route, covering approximately 392 miles across the state. It enters Arizona near Blythe, California, and continues through major urban areas like Phoenix and Tucson, connecting the state’s largest metropolitan regions before exiting into New Mexico. I-10 is a heavily trafficked corridor, crucial for the transportation of goods from the ports of California to other regions in the Southwest.
Interstate 17 runs north-south from Phoenix to Flagstaff, covering approximately 146 miles. I-17 is unique among Arizona’s interstates as it connects two distinct climate zones, starting from the hot deserts of Phoenix and ascending to the high-altitude pine forests of Flagstaff. This highway provides direct access to major recreational and natural areas, including Montezuma Castle National Monument and Red Rock State Park near Sedona. I-17 is a critical route for tourists visiting northern Arizona, especially in winter months when skiers travel to the snow-capped mountains around Flagstaff.
Running parallel to the historic Route 66, Interstate 40 spans 359 miles in Arizona. It enters from California and crosses northern Arizona, connecting cities such as Kingman, Flagstaff, and Holbrook before continuing eastward into New Mexico. I-40 serves as a major east-west transportation route across the northern part of the state and is essential for commercial trucking, as well as for travelers heading to natural attractions like the Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest National Park. The route’s proximity to Route 66 also adds historical interest, drawing tourists who want to explore the legacy of America’s "Mother Road."
Interstate 8 extends approximately 178 miles from the Arizona-California border near Yuma to its junction with I-10 near Casa Grande. As a major route for agricultural transport, I-8 facilitates the movement of produce from Arizona’s fertile Yuma Valley, one of the country’s most productive agricultural regions. This interstate also connects Yuma, a growing city along the Colorado River, with the larger metropolitan areas of Phoenix and Tucson.
U.S. Route 60 enters Arizona from New Mexico and travels southwest through the state, passing through cities like Globe, Apache Junction, and Phoenix. Covering about 369 miles within Arizona, U.S. 60 is a significant corridor for both commuter and long-distance traffic. In Phoenix, it functions as the Superstition Freeway, serving as a major route for East Valley suburbs. Outside the metropolitan areas, it provides scenic routes through mountainous terrain, especially in the Tonto National Forest area.
Connecting Arizona to Las Vegas, U.S. Route 93 begins at Wickenburg and travels northward through Kingman before crossing the Hoover Dam into Nevada. The route is a key link between Phoenix and Las Vegas, with increasing traffic due to growing tourism and economic ties between the two cities. The U.S. 93 corridor has undergone several improvements over the years to accommodate the high traffic volume, including the construction of the Hoover Dam Bypass.
U.S. Route 89 traverses northern Arizona, linking Flagstaff with Page near the Utah border. This highway provides access to numerous national parks and monuments, including Grand Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and the Vermilion Cliffs. U.S. 89 is especially important for tourism, as it connects travelers to some of Arizona’s most iconic landscapes.
Arizona’s interstate and U.S. highways are essential for the state’s economic growth, supporting trade, tourism, and local industries. Highways like I-10 and I-8 facilitate the transportation of goods between Arizona, California, and other southwestern states, particularly agricultural products and manufactured goods. Additionally, tourism heavily relies on these routes, with millions of visitors traveling to Arizona’s national parks and scenic landmarks via these highways. The connectivity provided by Arizona’s highways supports the state’s urban centers and boosts access to remote regions.
| Interstate | Length in Arizona (miles) | Route Description | Key Cities/Locations Served | Entry and Exit Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-8 | 178 | East-west route across southern Arizona, connecting Yuma with Casa Grande and linking to I-10. | Yuma, Gila Bend, Casa Grande | Enters from California near Yuma, exits near Casa Grande at I-10 junction |
| I-10 | 392 | Major east-west interstate, connecting California to New Mexico and passing through Phoenix and Tucson. | Phoenix, Tucson, Casa Grande | Enters from California near Blythe, exits into New Mexico near Lordsburg |
| I-15 | 29 | Short segment in northwest Arizona, connecting Nevada with Utah through the Virgin River Gorge. | Littlefield | Enters from Nevada near Mesquite, exits into Utah near St. George |
| I-17 | 146 | North-south route linking Phoenix to Flagstaff, crossing desert and mountainous terrain. | Phoenix, Black Canyon City, Camp Verde, Flagstaff | Begins in Phoenix at I-10 junction, ends in Flagstaff at I-40 junction |
| I-19 | 63 | North-south route from Tucson to the U.S.-Mexico border at Nogales, unique for its use of kilometer markers. | Tucson, Green Valley, Nogales | Begins in Tucson, ends at U.S.-Mexico border in Nogales |
| I-40 | 359 | East-west interstate in northern Arizona, running parallel to historic Route 66. | Kingman, Flagstaff, Winslow, Holbrook | Enters from California near Needles, exits into New Mexico near Gallup |
| Business Loop I-8 | 5 | Business loop providing local access through the city of Yuma. | Yuma | Exits and re-enters I-8 within Yuma |
| Business Loop I-10 | Various | Several business loops providing access to towns along I-10, such as Benson and Casa Grande. | Benson, Casa Grande, Buckeye | Exits and re-enters I-10 at respective towns |
| Business Loop I-15 | 3 | Short loop providing access to local roads in Littlefield and the Virgin River Gorge. | Littlefield | Exits and re-enters I-15 in Littlefield area |
| Business Loop I-17 | Various | Business loops for local access through towns like Black Canyon City along the I-17 corridor. | Black Canyon City | Exits and re-enters I-17 at various points |
| Business Loop I-40 | Various | Business loops connecting to towns along I-40, including Kingman, Flagstaff, and Winslow. | Kingman, Flagstaff, Winslow | Exits and re-enters I-40 at respective towns |
| State Route 303 Loop | 36 | Also known as Loop 303, this highway serves as a bypass for Phoenix, linking I-10 with I-17. | Phoenix metropolitan area, Surprise | Connects to I-10 near Goodyear and I-17 near New River |
| U.S. Highway | Length in Arizona (miles) | Route Description | Key Cities/Locations Served | Entry and Exit Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Route 60 | 369 | East-west route from New Mexico border, passing through central Arizona, including the Phoenix metro area. | Globe, Apache Junction, Phoenix, Wickenburg | Enters from New Mexico near Springerville, exits near Wickenburg |
| U.S. Route 70 | 17 | Short route connecting New Mexico to central Arizona, primarily serving the Safford area. | Safford | Enters from New Mexico near Duncan, ends in Safford |
| U.S. Route 89 | 140 | North-south route linking Flagstaff to the Utah border, providing access to national parks and recreation areas. | Flagstaff, Page | Begins in Flagstaff, exits into Utah near Page |
| U.S. Route 89A | 91 | Scenic alternate route to U.S. 89, running from Bitter Springs to Kanab, Utah, through Marble Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs. | Marble Canyon, Jacob Lake | Begins at Bitter Springs, exits into Utah near Fredonia |
| U.S. Route 93 | 200 | Major north-south route connecting Wickenburg to Las Vegas, passing through Kingman and the Hoover Dam area. | Wickenburg, Kingman, Hoover Dam | Begins in Wickenburg, exits into Nevada near Hoover Dam |
| U.S. Route 95 | 123 | North-south route connecting Yuma to Nevada, passing through Parker and La Paz County. | Yuma, Quartzsite, Parker | Enters from California near Yuma, exits into Nevada near Parker |
| U.S. Route 160 | 159 | Runs east-west across northeastern Arizona, providing access to Navajo Nation lands and Monument Valley. | Tuba City, Kayenta | Enters from New Mexico near Teec Nos Pos, exits into Utah near Kayenta |
| U.S. Route 163 | 4 | Short but scenic route connecting Kayenta with Monument Valley and Utah. | Kayenta | Begins in Kayenta, exits into Utah at Monument Valley |
| U.S. Route 180 | 292 | Runs north-south across eastern Arizona, linking key locations like Flagstaff and the Petrified Forest. | Flagstaff, Holbrook, Alpine | Enters from New Mexico near Alpine, continues west to Flagstaff |
| U.S. Route 191 | 517 | Longest U.S. Highway in Arizona, running north-south through the entire state, serving multiple communities and Navajo Nation areas. | Douglas, Safford, Springerville, Chinle | Begins at Mexican border in Douglas, exits into Utah near Mexican Water |
| U.S. Route 259 (Historic) | Not Applicable | Historic route that was later renumbered and replaced by U.S. Route 89 in northern Arizona. | Flagstaff (now part of U.S. Route 89) | No longer in use |
| U.S. Route 666 (Historic) | Not Applicable | Known as the "Devil's Highway," later renumbered as U.S. Route 191, running through eastern Arizona. | Formerly Clifton, Springerville | No longer in use; replaced by U.S. Route 191 |
