Sometimes taking a road trip doesn’t come to fruition simply because the costs associated with traveling can be too burdensome for some people. Gas prices are unpredictable at best during the summer months; so finding inexpensive road trip destinations can help if you enjoy a much needed getaway even if you are on a tight budget. The fact is that there are a variety of fantastic road trip destinations, with inexpensive or even free admission, around Arizona that won’t break your bank account.

According to Arizona Scenic Roads, “Arizona has 27 scenic roads; each with their own features and characteristics. Each scenic road is covered in depth in this web site. Included are maps, photo tours, community links, and stories from people who visited and experienced these routes. The scenic roads are divided geographically in Northern, North Central, Phoenix and Central, Tucson and Central, and Arizona’s West Coast regions of the state.” (http://www.arizonascenicroads.com/)

Scenic Roads – These roads include a roadway (or segment of a roadway) that: has a memorable visual impression, is free of visual encroachment, forms a harmonious composite of visual patterns. Some of the more popular Scenic Roads include: Kayenta – Monument Valley Scenic Road, Gila – Pinal Scenic Road, Patagonia – Sonoita Scenic Road and Dry Creek Scenic Road.

Historic Roads – These roads include a roadway (or segment of a roadway) that: has historical importance to the state, nation, or region, is easily accessible and has uniqueness. The Historic Roads in Arizona are: Historic Route 66 (also an All-American Road) Apache Trail Historic Road and Jerome-Clarkdale-Cottonwood Historic Road.

Parkways – Parkways include a roadway (or segment of a roadway) that: meets scenic or historic road criteria, has a one-mile minimum distance between access roads, allows visitor facilities/interpretive areas, offers controlled access to adjacent development. The Parkways in Arizona are: Sky Island Parkway (also a National Scenic Byway) Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway (also a National Scenic Byway) Swift Trail Parkway Organ Pipe Cactus Parkway.

National Scenic Byways – The Historic Roads in Arizona are: Historic Route 66 (also an All-American Road) Apache Trail Historic Road and Jerome-Clarkdale-Cottonwood Historic Road.

All-American Roads – There are 2 All-American Roads in Arizona: Red Rock All-American Road and Historic Route 66 All-American Road (Topock to Ash Fork and Ash Fork to Lupton).