Interstate 15 cuts through the northwest corner of Arizona (Mohave
County), separated from the rest of the state by the Grand
Canyon. It passes through the Virgin River Canyon, one of
the engineering marvels of the Interstate Highway System.
Interstate 15 South
Interstate 15 enters Mohave County, Arizona ahead of the Black Rock Road interchange (Exit 27). Black Rock Road spurs south from the freeway into the Virgin Mountains. Photo taken 10/19/04.
The 29.39-mile stretch of Interstate 15 through the state of Arizona is officially designated the Veterans Memorial Highway. A sign proclaims the honor ahead of the Exit 27 off-ramp to Black Rock Road. Photo taken 10/19/04.
Southbound at the Exit 27 diamond interchange with Black Rock Road. This is the first of four interchanges within Mohave County. Speed limits are posted at 75 mph through to this point. Photo taken 10/19/04.
For the first time in Interstate 15's routing, state named shields are posted commonly along the freeway. This reassurance shield lies south of the Black Rock Road on-ramp. Photo taken 10/19/04.
Another 28-miles separate Interstate 15 from Mesquite, Nevada. The freeway enters the cavernous Virgin River Gorge on the drive between here and Littlefield. Photo taken 10/19/04.
Interstate 15 southbound on its passage through the Virgin River Canyon. Signs marking the entrance to the canyon are placed just south of Exit 27 and the speed limit decreases to reflect the changed driving conditions. Since Interstate 15 both north and south of the canyon passes through generally wide open areas, the narrow canyons and sharper than normal curves provide some variation along the drive from Mesquite to St. George. Photos taken 10/19/04.
The Virgin River Gorge is located on the Arizona Strip (land between the Grand Canyon and the Arizona-Utah State Line) and is a popular recreation destination. Camping, hiking, and day-use activities may be launched from the Cedar Pocket exit (Exit 18). The river passes between the Virgin Mountains on the east and Beaver Dam Mountains on the west. For more information on the geology and geography of this area, visit Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness. Photos taken 10/19/04.
The first exit after entering the gorge is Exit 18, Cedar Pocket. There are no services available here, but the Bureau of Land Management offers recreational opportunities here. Photo taken 10/19/04.
Exit 18 provides access to the Virgin River Gorge Recreation Area, which features a campground, picnic area, hiking trails, access to the Paiute Wilderness Area, access to the Beaver Dam Wilderness Area, and access to the Virgin River itself. The Virgin River passes through some of the most dramatic scenery in the West, including Zion National Park. Photo taken 10/19/04.
One quarter mile north of the Exit 18 diamond interchange with Cedar Pocket Road. Cedar Pocket Road meanders northward into the Beaver Dam Mountains from Interstate 15 and the nearby recreational area. Photo taken 10/19/04.
Southbound at the Cedar Pocket interchange on Interstate 15. Exit 18 provides the primary access to camping and hiking within the Virgin River Gorge, which includes the Paiute and Beaver Dam Wilderness Areas. Photo taken 10/19/04.
The Virgin River Gorge section of Interstate 15 was constructed in phases through the 1960s and 1970s, and it opened in 1973 (see Interstate Highway System Engineering Marvels (FHWA)). This section of Interstate 15 was considered the most expensive section of Interstate highway ever constructed, at least until the "Big Dig" was completed in 2003, which carries Interstate 93 under downtown Boston. Photo taken 10/19/04.
Continuing southward through the Virgin River Gorge toward Littlefield. As one might imagine, strong gusty winds are possible at any given time during the narrow canyon. Signs remind drivers in trucks and other high profile vehicles of the potential wind and steep grades that persist for 11 straight miles. The Virgin River itself flows southward through the canyon into Lake Mead, Nevada. Photos taken 10/19/04.
Interstate 15 emerges from the Virgin River Gorge into wide open desert ahead of Littlefield and Mesquite, Nevada. These views look northward at the Beaver Dam Mountains. Photos taken 10/19/04.
Interstate 15 southbound draws to within one half mile of the Farm Road off-ramp (Exit 9). Farm Road comprises a frontage road system in and near Desert Springs Road east of Littlefield. No traveler services lie at the modified-diamond interchange. Photo taken 10/19/04.
Farm and Deserts Springs Roads serves a small residential community east of Littlefield and the Virgin River. Interstate 15 provides the only connection between these areas and Littlefield (Exit 8). Photo taken 10/19/04.
Interstate 15 continues one mile southwest from Farm Road to junction Mohave County 91 (Fairview Avenue / Cane Beds Road). Mohave County 91 follows the old U.S. 91 alignment along the Virgin River between Mesquite, Nevada and the Utah state line near St. George. The two-lane road bypasses the Virgin River Gorge by following a circuitous route to the northwest. Photo taken 10/19/04.
Interstate 15 southbound crosses the Virgin River between Farm Road (Exit 9) and Mohave County 91 (Exit 8). Photo taken 10/19/04.
Exit 8 departs Interstate 15 southbound for Mohave County 91 (Cane Beds Road) and Beaver Dam. Cane Beds Road travels north across a tributary of the Virgin River into the town of Littlefield. A few traveler amenities exist along the county highway. Photo taken 10/19/04.
Southbound scenes along Interstate 15 between Littlefield and Mesquite, Nevada. Mohave County 91 (Fairview Avenue) parallels Interstate 15 closely from Littlefield to the Nevada state line. The Virgin Mountains continue southwest into southern Nevada. Virgin Peak (el. 8,075 ft) rises along the horizon. Photos taken 10/19/04.
Interstate 15 crosses the Nevada state line and enters the town of Mesquite. A pair of interchanges serve the community of 13,895. The first exit includes the departure of Business Loop Interstate 15 & Nevada 144 along Sandhill Boulevard. Old U.S. 91 follows Hillside Drive west from Fairview Avenue to Sandhill Boulevard south of Exit 122. Photo taken 10/19/04.
Arizona posts the one half mile guide sign for the Mesquite East diamond interchange (Exit 122). Sandhill Boulevard (Business Loop Interstate 15 & Nevada 144 south) travels south from Interstate 15 into downtown Mesquite. Pioneer Boulevard loops northward into the new and growing residential areas of north Mesquite. Photo taken 10/19/04.
"Welcome to Nevada - 125 years of vision" sign posted at the Interstate 15 crossing into Clark County, home of Las Vegas. The freeway continues another 123.77 miles to the California state line near Primm, Nevada. Photo taken 10/19/04.
