Scenic Drives in Arizona

Routes

Avg Distance

399 mi

Avg Drive

7h 40m

Destinations

Arizona's scenic drives offer a variety of terrains and elevations, with an average drive score of 8 across its 60 routes. Trips can range from under 10 hours to over 12, covering hundreds of miles. You'll find opportunities for elevation changes, with some routes reaching over 6,700 feet, and many pass through areas with parks, making for a diverse driving experience. The state's routes are mostly on surface roads, offering a steady pace for exploration.

Climate through the year: Arizona

Arizona peaks at around 107°F in Jul and cools to 66°F / 45°F in Dec. Wettest month is Aug at ~0.9 in of rain.

Month	High °F	Low °F	Rain in
Jan	68	46	0.9
Feb	71	49	0.9
Mar	78	55	0.8
Apr	86	61	0.2
May	95	70	0.1
Jun	104	79	0
Jul	107	85	0.9
Aug	105	84	0.9
Sep	100	78	0.6
Oct	89	66	0.6
Nov	77	54	0.6
Dec	66	45	0.7

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for AZ — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Planning Tips

Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 60 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.

Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.

Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Top Scenic Routes

Phoenix, AZ → Fredericksburg, VA

2247.5 mi 40h 29m Score: 8/10 ~$410 fuel

Through: Memphis → Knoxville → Huntsville +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Explore More

Arizona Trips

Month	High °F	Low °F	Rain in
Jan	68	46	0.9
Feb	71	49	0.9
Mar	78	55	0.8
Apr	86	61	0.2
May	95	70	0.1
Jun	104	79	0
Jul	107	85	0.9
Aug	105	84	0.9
Sep	100	78	0.6
Oct	89	66	0.6
Nov	77	54	0.6
Dec	66	45	0.7

Month	High °F	Low °F	Rain in
Jan	68	46	0.9
Feb	71	49	0.9
Mar	78	55	0.8
Apr	86	61	0.2
May	95	70	0.1
Jun	104	79	0
Jul	107	85	0.9
Aug	105	84	0.9
Sep	100	78	0.6
Oct	89	66	0.6
Nov	77	54	0.6
Dec	66	45	0.7

Month	High °F	Low °F	Rain in
Jan	68	46	0.9
Feb	71	49	0.9
Mar	78	55	0.8
Apr	86	61	0.2
May	95	70	0.1
Jun	104	79	0
Jul	107	85	0.9
Aug	105	84	0.9
Sep	100	78	0.6
Oct	89	66	0.6
Nov	77	54	0.6
Dec	66	45	0.7