Best driving roads near Phoenix
Around Phoenix the desert gives way to sky islands and saguaro forests, where a single road can climb 6,000 feet from cactus to pine in a string of switchbacks.
1. Catalina Highway / Mount Lemmon (Sky Island Scenic Byway)
A driver's-dream climb up 9,157-foot Mount Lemmon with 6,000 feet of elevation gain, taking you from desert to alpine forest through nonstop curves.
2. Apache Trail (SR-88)
One of the curviest, most scenic roads in the country, winding past Superstition Mountain, Goldfield Ghost Town, and Tonto National Forest just east of Phoenix.
3. Yarnell Hill (SR-89)
A dramatic set of switchbacks climbing the escarpment out of the desert toward Prescott, a favorite for its tight grade and big valley views.
4. SR-89A (Prescott to Flagstaff)
Eighty miles of mountain road through Jerome and Oak Creek Canyon, serving up some of the most stunning landscapes in Arizona.
5. Saguaro National Park Loop Drive
A low-speed scenic loop winding through dense saguaro forest, perfect for an easy, photogenic cruise close to the city.
Track your next run near Phoenix
Open Road is free on iPhone and Android.
Questions, answered
- What are the best driving roads near Phoenix?
- Top picks near Phoenix: Catalina Highway / Mount Lemmon, Apache Trail, Yarnell Hill, SR-89A, Saguaro National Park Loop Drive. Each is a favorite among drivers for its curves, scenery, or pace.
- What's the best app to track a drive near Phoenix?
- Open Road records your run automatically — route replay, distance, top speed, g-force — and saves it to a stat card. Free on iPhone and Android.