Arizona 238 is one of the newest additions to the state highway system, but
the road itself is much older. Arizona 238 connects Maricopa
to Gila Bend, paralelling the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks
- however, the state highway ends halfway between the two,
leaving the rest of the distance to be covered by Maricopa
County Road 238.
Arizona 238 was added to the state highway system in 1986
to serve a proposed hazardous waste plant, as well as a landfill.
The remaining section under Maricopa County maintenance was
paved in the late 1990s.
Perspective from Westbound Arizona 238
Arizona 238 begins at Arizona 347, and immediately leaves
the fast-growing bedroom community of Maricopa behind
to enter open farmland. Photo taken July 15, 2007.
Arizona 238 meets Rio Bravo Road here. Photo taken July
15, 2007.
Arizona 238 heads west, south of South Mountain. Given
the road begins at approximately 56th Street (per the
Phoenix grid), it is surprising how quickly 91st Avenue
is reached. Photo taken July 15, 2007.
After passing 91st Avenue, this reassurance marker is
seen. Arizona 238 is two lanes all the way to Gila Bend.
Photo taken July 15, 2007.
Arizona 238 ends here. The highway continues under Maricopa
County control as Maricopa County route 238. Photo taken
Maricopa County widened and paved the former dirt road,
but did not change the character of the old road. As a
result, it is fairly winding and crosses many washes at
grade. Photo taken July 15, 2007.
Maricopa County route 238 passes through the Sonoran
Desert National Monument, administered by the Bureau of
Land Management. Photo taken July 15, 2007.
Due to the proximity of Maricopa County 238 to the Union
Pacific railroad, trains are a common sight. The Arizona
Rail History Buffs have adopted most of this highway,
reflecting their interest in trains. Photo taken July
15, 2007.
Perspective from Eastbound Arizona 238
Arizona 238 reassurance marker along the eastbound highway.
Photo taken September 3, 2003.
This intersection has drastically changed since this
photo was taken - the intersection now has a Bashas, Frys
Marketplace, and a signal. Arizona 238 ends here, at Arizona
347. Photo taken September 3, 2003.
