The next exit for Interstate 17 is the return of Business Loop I-17. The business route serves Black Canyon City and Rock Springs between Exits 242 and 244. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 244, Southbound
Business Loop I-17/Coldwater Canyon Road, one-half mile.
Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 244, Southbound
Business Loop I-17/Coldwater Canyon Road, next right.
Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 at Exit 244, Southbound Business
Loop I-17/Coldwater Canyon Road. There are no services
for the next 19 miles. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
This sign marks the beginning of the truck lane restriction.
Trucks are restricted to the right lane until after Sunset
Point. This restriction was put into place due to increasing
traffic along Interstate 17, causing backups when trucks
tried to pass on the grade. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
This caution sign warns travellers to turn off their
air conditioning while climbing the upcoming hill. Photo
taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 248, Bumble
Bee/Crown King, three-quarters of a mile. This exit serves
the original (pre-1956) alignment of old Arizona 69 between
Exit 248 and Exit 262. The old road passes through Bumble
Bee and Crown King before merging onto existing Arizona
69 several miles west of its southern terminus interchange
with Interstate 17. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 at Exit 248, Bumble Bee/Crown
King. Since leaving Black Canyon City, Interstate 17 has
been gaining elevation at a good pace, setting the freeway
up to ascend the Mogollon Rim. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Mileage sign along northbound Interstate 17 after Exit
248, Bumble Bee/Crown King. The next three miles are all
uphill. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
While on its way up the slope of the Mogollon
Rim, the northbound Interstate 17 carriageway separates
from southbound to allow for different grades. With this
increase in elevation, Interstate 17 leaves the desert
and heads for the mountains and forests of Kaibab, Tonto,
and Coconino National Forest. The freeway enters the national
forest around Milepost 268, after the Arizona 69 exit.
Suite of photos taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 252, Rest
Area/Sunset Point, one mile. Note the dramatic change
in the scenery as the highway reaches higher altitude.
Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Reaching the top of the grade along northbound, Interstate
17 meets a rest area at Sunset Point. Photo taken June
22, 2007.
Mileage sign along northbound Interstate 17 for Exit
262/Junction North Arizona 69, the city of Prescott via
North Arizona 69, and Flagstaff via Interstate 17. Photo
taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 256, Badger
Springs Road. Not many maps seem to show this particular
exit. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Vista of northbound Interstate 17 at Exit 256, Badger
Springs Road. Badger Springs Road leads east into Agua
Fria National Monument. The monument constitutes the Agua
Fria River, which parallels Interstate 17 between Rock
Springs and Cordes Junction. Passing through a deep canyon,
the Agua Fria River offers hiking and camping opportunities.
Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Mileage sign along northbound Interstate 17 for Arizona
69, Prescott, and Flagstaff. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 259, Bloody
Basin Road, one mile. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 at Exit 259, Bloody Basin Road.
Bloody Basin Road leads west to meet Old Arizona 69 in
Cordes and east into Agua Fria National Monument. Photo
taken June 22, 2007.
Still climbing in elevation, the next exit along northbound
Interstate 17 is Exit 262, Junction Northbound Arizona
69/Cordes Junction. Prior to the establishment of Interstate
17, the entire route from Phoenix to Cordes Junction was
part of a much longer Arizona 69. Arizona 69 was truncated
south of Cordes Junction once the Interstate 17 freeway
was completed. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 262, Junction
Arizona 69, one mile. Arizona 69 leads northwest to Prescott
as a four-lane, divided highway. It passes through Mayer,
Humboldt, and Dewey en route to Prescott. Photo taken
June 22, 2007.
The Arizona 69 exit also leads to Arcosanti and Cordes
Lakes Road. Arcosanti is a pilot project of architect
Paolo Soleri, who is creating a model of urban living
in a walkable community setting with a focus on architecture
and ecology. For more information, visit the information
center east of Cordes Junction and take the one-hour tour.
Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 at Exit 262, Junction Northbound
Arizona 69 to Prescott. Located in the mountains, Prescott
is a resort community, and it is a gateway to the national
forests of central Arizona. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Mileage sign along northbound Interstate 17 after Exit
262/Arizona 69. The next major exits are for Arizona 169
west to Dewey, Arizona 260 in Camp Verde/Verde Valley,
and Interstate 40 in Flagstaff. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
There are no services at Exit 268 (Orme Road and Dugas
Road) along northbound Interstate 17. Photo taken June
22, 2007.
As promised, northbound Interstate 17 enters Prescott
National Forest immediately after Exit 268. Photo taken
June 22, 2007.
View of the Prescott National Forest between Exits 268
and 278 along northbound Interstate 17. Photo taken June
22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 278, Junction
Westbound Arizona 169/Cherry Road to Dewey and Prescott,
one mile. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 278, Junction
Westbound Arizona 169/Cherry Road. Note the gradual addition
of trees to the landscape. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 at Exit 278, Junction Westbound
Arizona 169/Cherry Road. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Distance sign to Camp Verde and Flagstaff. Photo taken
June 22, 2007.
After the Arizona 169/Cherry Road exit, northbound
Interstate 17 prepares for its descent into the scenic
Verde Valley. Dropping in elevation to around 3,000 feet,
Interstate 17 must descend to cross the Verde River. The
Verde River leads south from here through a few reservoirs
before joining the Salt River just east of metropolitan
Phoenix. At the center of the valley lies Camp Verde,
which features full motorist services. Note the signage
for the safety pullout to allow truckers and motorists
to test their brakes; a runaway vehicle ramp is available
on the downslope. This suite of photos was taken June
22, 2007.
Mileage sign along northbound Interstate 17 for the
three Camp Verde exits: Exit 285/General Crook Trail,
Exit 287/Junction Arizona 260, and Exit 289/Montezuma
Castle National Monument. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 285, General
Crook Trail, one mile. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Exit 285 provides access to Fort Verde State Park. Photo
taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 at Exit 285, General Crook
Trail. At the time this photo was taken (2003), this exit
was closed. Photo taken 05/23/03.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 287, Junction
Arizona 260. Arizona 260 west leads to Junction Arizona
89A in the vicinity of Bridgeport and Cottonwood. Arizona
260 east leads to Strawberry, Payson, and Show Low. At
Show Low, Arizona 260 meets its parent route, U.S. 60.
U.S. 60, you'll recall, was joined with Interstate 17
around downtown Phoenix. Well, U.S. 60 heads due east
through Phoenix, Apache Junction, and Globe, then surprisingly
turns northeast along with Arizona 77 between Globe and
Show Low. This allows for U.S. 60 to be this far north
of Phoenix. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 287, Junction
Arizona 260 to Junction Arizona 89A. Arizona 89A used
to be U.S. 89A, but it was changed in the early 1990s
when U.S. 89 was truncated at Flagstaff. Photo taken June
22, 2007.
Tuzigoot National Monument is reached via westbound
Arizona 260 and southbound Arizona 89A in Clarkdale. The
ruins at Tuzigoot feature a pueblo of the Sinagua Indians.
Jerome is just a few miles west of Clarkdale along southbound
Arizona 89A. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
With all the traffic exiting northbound at this interchange,
an auxiliary lane helps to carry vehicles off the road.
All motorist services are available here. Photo taken
June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 at Exit 287, Junction Arizona
260/Camp Verde. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Leaving Camp Verde, Interstate 17 leaves Prescott National
Forest and enters Coconino National Forest. Photo taken
June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 289, Montezuma
Castle National Monument/Middle Verde Road, one mile.
Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 289, Montezuma
Castle National Monument/Middle Verde Road, one-half mile.
Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 at Exit 289, Montezuma Castle
National Monument/Middle Verde Road. Montezuma Castle
National Monument features early cliff dwelling ruins
perhaps used by the Sinagua Indians. Photo taken June
22, 2007.
Mileage sign along northbound Interstate 17 after the
Montezuma Castle exit. The next exits are for McGuireville,
Munds Park, and Flagstaff. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 293, Junction
Yavapai County Route 30/McGuireville and Montezuma Well,
one and one-half miles. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 293, Junction
Yavapai County Route 30/McGuireville and Montezuma Well,
one mile. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Exit 293 also leads to Rimrock, Lake Montezuma, and
Cornville. Yavapai County Route 30 loops from Interstate
17 at Exit 293, connects to these destinations (along
with McGuireville and Montezuma Well), then returns to
the freeway at the Arizona 179 interchange (Exit 298).
Photo taken 05/23/03.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 293, Junction
Yavapai County Route 30/McGuireville and Montezuma Well.
This is the only advance sign for the county route, and
it is posted on its own trailblazer rather than incorporated
into the approach guide signs. Photo taken 05/23/03.
Northbound Interstate 17 at Exit 293, Junction Yavapai
County Route 30/McGuireville and Montezuma Well. Montezuma
Well is part of the Montezuma Castle National Monument;
it provided a source of water to the ancient people of
this area. Photo taken 05/23/03.
Advance signage for a rest area, 1/4 mile. Photo taken
June 22, 2007.
The final rest area northbound can be accessed from
this exit. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 294, Junction
Northbound Arizona 179 to Sedona, two miles. This exit
also connects to the northern end of Yavapai County Route
30. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Northbound Interstate 17 approaching Exit 298, Junction
Northbound Arizona 179, one mile. Arizona 179 leads due
north to Arizona 89A in Sedona. In addition, Arizona 89A
leads north into scenic Oak Creek Canyon and Slide Rock
State Park. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
Prior to the establishment of Interstate 17 north of
the Arizona 69 junction, the route of Interstate 17 was
part of then-Arizona 79 between Cordes Junction and Flagstaff.
With the completion of the Interstate 17 freeway, Arizona
79 was decommissioned, and the number was not resurrected
until 1993, when U.S. 89 was decommissioned between Florence
Junction and Oracle Junction north of Tucson. The only
remaining evidence that Arizona 79 used to exits in central
Arizona was its spur route, Arizona 179, between Rimrock
and Sedona. This photo shows Northbound Interstate 17
at Junction Northbound Arizona 179. Photo taken June 22,
2007.
Distance sign to Munds Park and Flagstaff. Photo taken
June 22, 2007.
Interstate 17 passes through Elk Country, as noted by
these signs. Photo taken June 22, 2007.
