Top Scenic Road Trips To Experience In Arizona This Summer

Arizona is built for scenic road trips, from plateaus to winding canyon passes, and other amazing scenery. Summer is kicking off, and a road trip through Arizona's most scenic spots may be something to add to your plans. Here are 3 road trip routes that capture the best of Arizona's beauty!

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3.) Patagonia/Sonoita Scenic Route

This road trip is for travelers who love Sonoita and it's surrounding areas. When taking this scenic route, you will have the chance to drive through rolling hills, see wineries, and stop in gorgeous historical towns.

This route is only 54.2 miles, and starts in Sonoita, Arizona. While driving, pass through vineyards, and get a bite to eat in one of the amazing restaurants on route, or enjoy some time in nature. After starting in Sonoita, go up to Patagonia, and make your way to Tucson. In these places, visit stunning bodies of water and historical sights.

READ: How The Lehner Mammoth Site Connects Us To Ancient Hunters

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2.) Route 66

A road trip wouldn't be a road trip without a stop along Route 66. Arizona has the longest preserved stretch of route 66. It goes on for over 380 miles. Along this route there are iconic views, great food, and tons of options for hiking and picture taking.

When traveling along route 66, take a moment to stop in Winslow, or visit some historical monuments, go hiking in a national park, and visit the petrified forest. Scenery consists of everything from desert wildlife to forests full of roadside stops.

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1.) Red Rock Scenery

The shortest of these road trips is the Red Rock Scenic Byway. This trip is less then 8 miles long, but showcases beautiful red rock scenery, mountains, and has many amazing hiking trails. It is located in Sedona Arizona, and connects cultural, historical, and scenic routes into one two-way road.

Over 3 million visitors pass through this route every year. The red hills are over 300 million years old and are only 40 miles south of Flagstaff.

READ: Why Sedona's McDonald's Stands Out With Turquoise Arches

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Across Arizona beautiful sceneries and roads that drive right through them create the perfect place for road trips. From southern to northern Arizona, there are road trips for every type of person. Whether you want to spend a few hours on the road, or a couple days, there are tons of places you can visit! Sometimes the best parts of Arizona aren't the destinations, it's the places in between.