Ramada Inn Downtown

RE: Road Trip

by bocmaxima

Lots of back ways!! Probably the best for history and a good sense of Arizona-ness:
From Phoenix, take US 60 northwest to Wickenburg, veer north on US 93. After several miles, there is a turn-off for AZ 89 to the north. This will take you to Congress, which is pseudo ghost town (people still live there). Right after Congress, you ascend (quickly) into some gorgeous mountains (Weavers). You won't be able to do this if you're terrified of heights though: lots of sheer drop-offs and the road gets very narrow (opposing traffic is separated and you're on a one-lane road). Once you finish climbing, you'll pass Yarnell, which is a cute, little town, then through some more beautiful mountain country and into Prescott, which itself is a very nice little town. The highway will drop you right onto "Whiskey Row", which is worth a couple of hours of exploration and would be a good spot for lunch. From there, follow the signs through town to AZ 89A and you again ascend mountains toward Jerome, which is a cute old mining town that has become a bit of a tourist mecca and artist colony. Also worth a stop to walk around. Continue on 89A and you'll have the chance to pull off at Cottonwood (historic town, but not as interesting as what you've already seen) and continue on to Sedona. SEDONA IS GORGEOUS!
Another route ascending more into Arizona's high country:
Leave Phoenix on AZ 87 (take the 202 east and exit "Country Club" to get to it) toward Payson. Just after Payson, you ascend the Mogollon Rim and hit the small villages of Strawberry and Pine (my favorite little towns in the state), then turn west on AZ 260 toward Camp Verde. That stretch of road is really, really beautiful and you'll see lots of elk crossing signs. I've never been on that road at night and NOT seen elk, although it's less likely during the day. Not much in Camp Verde but the casino, and there is Montezuma Castle (cliff dwellings) just to the north on I-17. From there, you can continue west on AZ 260 (becomes AZ 279) to 89A, or there is a back road that I prefer: take I-17 north toward Montezuma Castle, exit at "Cornville Road" a couple of miles past AZ 260 and turn left (west). You'll roll over some beautiful hills past horse ranches and such. It's the same distance as staying on 279, but it's much more interesting and there's MUCH less traffic.
Other than that, there is a strange back way I use to get to Wickenburg from Phoenix (or actually, in order to avoid Phoenix), but it's difficult to reach.

Hope that helps.