The best driving roads in Arizona

01Coronado Trail (US 191)

US 191 Coronado Trail National Scenic Byway, Morenci to Alpine.

Climbs from copper-mining country at Clifton past an overlook of the Morenci open-pit mine to over 9,000 feet. Tight and sweeping curves, pink rock and dark green forest keep changing.

22.1 miles · 5,450 ft of climbing · near Morenci

Open in WendRecommended by Rider Magazine

02Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive

AZ 89A Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive between Sedona and Flagstaff, with the switchbacks up the canyon wall.

Red rock walls give way to a narrow, forested canyon beside Oak Creek, then hairpins climb about 2,200 feet to the pine country near Flagstaff, with an overlook back into the canyon.

15.8 miles · 6,550 ft of climbing · near Sedona

Open in WendRecommended by Coconino National Forest (USFS)

03Wickenburg-Prescott Highway

AZ 89 between Yarnell and Prescott, northern part of the Wickenburg-Prescott road.

Winding curves run from the desert at Wickenburg up through Yarnell toward Prescott, a route riders in Rider and on motorcycleroads.com describe as fantastic southwest of town.

14.5 miles · 4,000 ft of climbing · near Peeples Valley

Open in WendRecommended by motorcycleroads.com

04Catalina Highway

Catalina Highway to Mount Lemmon, upper part.

A long climb on the Catalina Highway rises from saguaro desert toward Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina range.

13.1 miles · 4,800 ft of climbing · near Summerhaven

Open in WendRecommended by Arizona Highways

05Fredonia-Vermilion Cliffs Scenic Road (US 89A)

US 89A along the Vermilion Cliffs and House Rock Valley toward the Kaibab Plateau.

Runs along the base of the Vermilion Cliffs and across House Rock Valley, then climbs the Kaibab Plateau from grassland through piñon to tall ponderosa, with several scenic turnoffs.

11.3 miles · 5,000 ft of climbing · near Marble Canyon

Good to know Snow on the Kaibab Plateau in winter.

Open in WendRecommended by AAA Via

06Mingus Mountain (AZ 89A)

AZ 89A over Mingus Mountain between Cottonwood and Jerome.

A serpentine climb over Mingus Mountain to the old mining town of Jerome, with hairpins, pine forest near the top and red-rock views to the north.

10.7 miles · 4,650 ft of climbing · near Jerome

Open in WendRecommended by motorcycleroads.com

07Oatman Highway

Oatman Highway, historic Route 66 over Sitgreaves Pass between Kingman and Oatman.

A first-gear slalom of hairpins over Sitgreaves Pass, an old Route 66 alignment, ending in Oatman, where descendants of the miners' burros wander the street.

11.3 miles · 2,400 ft of climbing · near Oatman

Open in WendRecommended by Rider Magazine

08Kitt Peak Highway (AZ 386)

Kitt Peak Highway, AZ 386, up to Kitt Peak National Observatory.

Hairpins run all the way up to the observatory on the summit, with panoramic views over the valley and desert below and pullouts on the way back down.

10.1 miles · 5,250 ft of climbing · near Sells

Good to know On Tohono O'odham Nation land; observatory closed 4 pm to 9 am.

Open in WendRecommended by motorcycleroads.com

09Cape Royal Road

Cape Royal Road, Grand Canyon North Rim scenic drive.

The North Rim's scenic drive runs through forest to Point Imperial, the rim's highest point, and Cape Royal, which has a nearly 270-degree panorama taking in the Colorado River and Angels Window.

13.0 miles · 5,150 ft of climbing · near North Rim

Good to know Open about May 15 to Nov 30, weather permitting. Vehicles over 22 ft not allowed. National Park entry applies.

Open in WendRecommended by National Park Service

10Cactus Forest Loop Drive

Cactus Forest Loop Drive, Saguaro National Park East.

A paved loop through the saguaro forest on the east side of Saguaro National Park, with vistas and pullouts along the way.

8.0 miles · 1,950 ft of climbing · near Saguaro National Park

Good to know Park entrance fee. No RVs or large vehicles over 40 ft.

Open in WendRecommended by National Park Service