Taking a road trip through Arizona can be a great idea! With distinct climates and beautiful scenery, it’s the perfect state to hop in the car and drive between locations to soak in all the beauty it has to offer.
Although you can simply drive through some states without any serious issues, that’s not necessarily the case in Arizona. Whether you’re worried about possible hazards or you simply want to make the most of your trip, there are at least seven things you should know about this state before you hop in your car.
Monsoon Season
When you think of Arizona, you probably envision a dry desert full of cacti and rugged exposed rocks. Although Arizona is full of dry deserts, that doesn’t mean it never rains. When it does, it can really pour, affecting your ability to drive.
The torrential downpours even meet the requirements of a monsoon, which isn’t something most people expect when driving around in the Southwest. However, between June and the end of September, you have to be on the lookout for serious storms that can make it nearly impossible for you to drive.
If a storm is forecasted or it starts raining, don’t make the mistake of thinking you can just drive through it like you might be able to back home. Find a safe place to stop, wait out the storm, and hit the road again after it has passed.
Wild Fires
With all that rain you may be thinking that Arizona isn’t as dry as you thought. Although the desert can receive torrential downpours during the summer, it’s also true that it can experience fires during other times of the year.
As the winds change at the end of the summer, they bring in drier air, and the desert gets very little rain. By the time May arrives, things can be really dry until around mid-July when the rains return.
If you plan on driving through Arizona in Spring or Summer, make sure you check out the wildfire situation where you’re traveling. You don’t want to choose a route and realize it’s inaccessible due to wildfires.
It Can Get Cold
You may be surprised to learn about monsoon season in Arizona, and then immediately be surprised that having a monsoon season doesn’t protect the state from wildfires, but the surprises aren’t done yet! Depending on where you’re traveling in Arizona, you may be shocked to discover that it can get cold.
You might expect things to get a little chilly in the winter, but did you know temps can get low enough for it to snow? It can get chilly during the summer too. Temperatures may reach the 90’s or even the 100’s, but they can plummet in the evening, making you wish you would have brought a sweater. Although it’s always important to check the weather ahead of your vacation, it’s especially important if you’re traveling through Arizona.
Plan to Spend Plenty of Time Outdoors
Although there are plenty of cities and towns throughout Arizona, some travelers are underwhelmed by what they have to offer. Feel free to visit these places if it’s something you want to do, but don’t plan your entire vacation around it. Instead, plan to spend plenty of time outdoors.
The best thing about Arizona really is its natural wonders. A few you may want to consider driving to include:
- Saguaro National Park in Tucson
- Antelope Canyon in Page
- Havasu Falls in Supai
- Monument Valley on the Utah border
- Petrified Forest National Park in Holbrook
- Grand Canyon National Park
Don’t Wing Popular Locations
Just because your chosen destinations are outdoors doesn’t mean you’ll find yourself alone out in nature. Many of Arizona’s natural wonders are known the world-over, which means you could find yourself competing with many other people for selfie spots and places to stay.
Make sure you plan your trip months in advance, especially if you’re planning a trip in the summer. The Grand Canyon especially requires plenty of planning ahead. If you want to avoid the crowds and have more options for places to stay, consider traveling during the off seasons. Try taking your road trip from March through May or September through November.
Plan for Lots of Dirty Clothes
In an effort to pack light, you may pack items of clothing with the intention of wearing them a few times before taking them back home to wash them. That’s not a good idea in Arizona.
If you plan on spending time outdoors hiking, walking, camping, or simply enjoying beautiful vistas, you’re going to get dirty. Hiking during the dry season will leave you covered in dust, while the trails may be muddy or snowy during other times of the year.
Have a plan for keeping your clothes clean. Stay somewhere with access to a washing machine, consider handwashing your clothes with travel detergent, or make sure you bring enough clothes so you can change when you find yourself dirtier than you expected.
Know What Time It Is
Do you know what time it is in Arizona? Even those who share the same time zone with Arizona may find themselves confused. Although Arizona is in the Mountain Time Zone, it does not observe Daylight Savings.
If you travel to Arizona during the winter, you may not notice a difference because it’s following Mountain Standard Time, but in the summer, Arizona technically switches to the Pacific Time Zone.
The history of Daylight Savings is tied to energy conservation, which doesn’t make sense during the hot Arizona summer. It’s better for the sun to set at eight, giving residents some relief from the heat, rather than it staying out until nine.
Arizona is the perfect state for a road trip, but that doesn’t mean you should hop in your car on a whim. With many popular locations, extreme weather events, and more, it’s vital that you take the time to plan your vacation carefully before you head out.
