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Arizona State Route 101
Arizona State Route 101
Arizona State Route 101
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State Route 101 marker
State Route 101
Map
Loop 101 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by ADOT
Length60.99 mi[1] (98.15 km)
Existed1988–present
HistoryFully completed in 2002[2]
Major junctions
From I-10 in Tolleson
Major intersections
To Loop 202 in Chandler
Location
CountryUnited States
StateArizona
CountiesMaricopa
Highway system
  • Arizona State Highway System
← SR 99→ SR 143
Interchange of 101 (Pima Freeway) with Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) in Mesa, with 101 through Scottsdale in the distance

State Route 101 (SR 101) or Loop 101 is a semi-beltway looping around the Phoenix Metropolitan Area in central Arizona, United States. It connects several suburbs of Phoenix, including Tolleson, Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, and Chandler. Construction began in 1986 and was completed in 2002.

Loop 101 has three officially designated sections along its route:

  • Agua Fria Freeway in the west valley from Interstate 10 (I-10) to I-17
  • Pima Freeway in the east valley from I-17 to Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway)
  • Price Freeway in the east valley from Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to Loop 202 (Santan Freeway)

Route description

[edit]

Agua Fria Freeway

[edit]

Loop 101 begins as the Agua Fria Freeway at a three-level interchange with I-10 in Tolleson west of Phoenix. From that point, the route heads north entering Phoenix then Glendale, passing State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena. Continuing northward through Peoria, it encounters the Grand Avenue portion of US 60 and passes the Peoria Sports Complex before entering northwestern Glendale and curving east just past the Arrowhead Towne Center mall. The route then heads east along the Beardsley Road alignment, traveling through the community of Arrowhead Ranch. The freeway enters northern Phoenix, and at milepost 23, Loop 101 intersects I-17 15 miles (24 km) north of Downtown Phoenix.[3]

Pima Freeway

[edit]

Continuing east as the Pima Freeway, Loop 101 travels just south of Deer Valley Airport before intersecting the northern terminus of SR 51 at milepost 29. East of this junction, Loop 101 travels through Northern Phoenix, passing through Desert Ridge and passing by Desert Ridge Marketplace to its north, and Mayo Clinic to its south. The freeway then curves south through Scottsdale on the Pima Road alignment. The freeway then curves east and passes through the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, just south of Via Linda providing access to Downtown Scottsdale, Scottsdale Pavilions, Scottsdale Community College, two casinos, and Scottsdale Fashion Square. Continuing south, Loop 101 encounters an interchange with the Red Mountain Freeway portion of Loop 202 in Tempe at milepost 51. This interchange is partially built over the Salt River.[3]

Price Freeway

[edit]

Loop 101 then becomes the Price Freeway and continues south. Just south of the interchange, the freeway passes Tempe Marketplace to the east, and Sloan Park to the west. The freeway then passes Arizona State University to the east. At milepost 53, the freeway provides access to Apache Boulevard, and the Price–101 Freeway/Apache Boulevard park and ride light rail station, on Valley Metro's A Line. The route then intersects the Superstition Freeway portion of US 60 at milepost 55 before entering Chandler.[3]

Loop 101 and US 60 interchange in Tempe

Loop 101 provides access to Chandler Fashion Center just prior to concluding at milepost 61 at an interchange with the Santan Freeway portion of Loop 202.[3]

History

[edit]

Original construction

[edit]
Old colored Arizona Loop 101 shield that has been phased out.

Loop 101 was a part of the 1985 Maricopa County Regional Transportation Plan that was funded by a sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters that year.[4] The freeway was originally assigned two different route numbers along its path: The Agua Fria Freeway portion was initially designated as SR 417,[5] and the Pima/Price Freeway portion was initially designated as SR 117.[6] The Loop 101 designation was first assigned on December 18, 1987, at which time the South Mountain Freeway and the portion of the San Tan Freeway between I-10 and Price Road were also designated to be part of Loop 101.[7] On July 19, 1991, the proposed South Mountain Freeway was renumbered as part of Loop 202.[8] The San Tan Freeway portion of Loop 101 was only officially renumbered when its opening took place.[3]

In 1990, after several years of negotiation with the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community, the state of Arizona paid the tribe $247 million for right of way for the nine-mile eastern leg of Loop 101 from Via Linda to the north bank of the Salt River. The resulting alignment kept all four corners of each interchange on tribal land, allowing the community to control and benefit from development. The tribe formed a development arm, Salt River DevCo, to manage these and other community developable properties.[9]

Loop 101 was built in stages from 1986 to 2002. The first segment of Loop 101 opened in November 1988, consisting of the two-mile stretch from Peoria Avenue to Northern Avenue in Peoria.[2] Throughout the next 14 years, the other 59 miles of the route would be built including the interchanges with I-10, I-17, both Loop 202 Freeways, and the US 60. The final segment that was built was the two-mile stretch from Scottsdale Road to Pima Road in Scottsdale that opened in April 2002, marking the full completion of the entire 61-mile route.[2] Loop 101 was built with three general-purpose lanes in each direction along with one auxiliary lane with the exception of the three-mile stretch from Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) to US 60 where there were four general-purpose lanes in each direction.[3]

In January 2006, Scottsdale installed speed enforcement cameras along its 7.8 mile stretch of Loop 101 to lower speeds and reduce collisions. There were six cameras placed in total, three in each direction. The system was calibrated to ticket anyone traveling 76 mph (122 km/h) or greater, as 65 mph (105 km/h) was the predetermined speed limit. The trial phase lasted from January to October 2006 before resuming full time in February 2007.[10] There had been much criticism of the program since its inception, and it ended in 2010.[11]

Recent improvements

[edit]

Due to booming population growth in Phoenix's suburbs along the route of the freeway, the initial build-out of three general purpose lanes and one auxiliary lane proved to be inefficient, and therefore, the route has undergone many widening projects to accommodate the growth in the region.

First, between 2007 and 2011, HOV lanes were constructed along the entire route in different phases. It included construction of direct HOV ramps between Loop 101 east and SR 51 south in Northern Phoenix and Loop 101 north and Loop 202 east (Santan Freeway) in Chandler.[12] The final phase, the Maryland Avenue HOV interchange in Glendale began construction in October 2013 and was completed in March 2014.[13] Due to the nature of the project, the HOV lanes near the exit had to widened for extra lane width.

Following the completion of the phased HOV-lane project, a phased project was launched to add a fourth-general purpose lane in both directions. As of 2025, the section of the freeway from Indian School Road to 75th Avenue, is the only section remaining to not yet at least release final design plans on its fourth lane.

Phased fourth-lane construction

[edit]

In August of 2014, construction began for the 11-mile segment from Shea Boulevard to Loop 202 in Scottsdale. Construction was completed in October of 2016.[14] In February of 2019, construction began for the 13-mile segment from I-17 to Pima Road in Scottsdale and northeast Phoenix. Construction was completed in January of 2022.[15] In May of 2019, construction began for the 6.4-mile segment from Baseline Road to Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) in the East Valley. Construction was completed in August of 2020.[16]

Construction began in January of 2024 for the 4.5-mile segment from Shea Boulevard to Princess Drive/Pima Road. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2026.[17] Construction began in September of 2024 for the six-mile segment from 75th Avenue to I-17 in the northwest valley. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2027.[18]

As apart of improvements made to the I-10 / Loop 101 interchange, the design report for the project shows the segment from I-10 to Indian School Road being widened. Construction is planned to begin in 2025 and be completed in 2027.

New exit

[edit]

The 64th Street interchange in northeast Phoenix opened in May 2015 after being built in 2008 during the initial build-out of the freeway. [19]

Future

[edit]

ADOT, in partnership with MAG and the cities of Goodyear and Tolleson, plan to construct direct HOV lane connections at the I-10 interchange between Loop 101 and I-10 east. Construction is planned to begin in 2025 and be completed in 2027.[20]

The Northern Avenue interchange in Peoria is planned to be upgraded to a diverging diamond interchange (DDI). It will be the first DDI on Loop 101, and construction is expected to begin in 2025 and be completed in 2027.[20]

Exit list

[edit]

The entire route is in Maricopa County.

Locationmi[1]kmExitDestinationsNotes
Tolleson0.000.001A-B I-10 (Papago Freeway) – Phoenix, Los AngelesCounterclockwise terminus; signed as exits 1A (west) and 1B (east); exit 133B on I-10
1C
 I-10 east		Planned HOV interchange with construction set to begin in 2025[20]
Phoenix0.721.162McDowell RoadSouthbound exit and northbound entrance
1.742.803Thomas Road
2.754.434Indian School Road
3.796.105Camelback Road
Glendale4.787.696Cardinals WayFormerly Bethany Home Road[21]
5.298.517AMaryland AvenueHOV interchange
5.789.307BGlendale Avenue
Glendale–Peoria line6.8811.078Northern AvenuePlanned diverging diamond interchange (DDI) with construction to begin in 2026; future Northern Parkway
Peoria8.0913.029Olive Avenue
9.1014.6510Peoria Avenue
10.0116.1111 US 60 (Grand Avenue)Northbound exit and southbound entrance; former US 89 / SR 93
10.5416.96
 91st Avenue to US 60 (Grand Avenue)		Southbound exit and northbound entrance; referred to internally as exit 11A[1]
11.4718.4612Thunderbird Road
12.3019.79Bridge over Skunk Creek
13.5321.7714Bell Road
Glendale14.5923.4815Union Hills DriveNo southbound exit; southbound access is via exit 16
Cardinal direction change: Western leg (north–south) / Northern leg (west–east)[a]
15.4924.9316Beardsley Road west / Union Hills DriveNo eastbound exit
16.0225.781775th Avenue
17.0227.391867th Avenue
17.9628.901959th Avenue
Glendale–Phoenix line19.8631.962051st Avenue
Phoenix20.9733.752235th AvenueEastbound exit and westbound entrance
22.67–
25.07		36.48–
40.35		2327th AvenueSigned as exit 23A westbound
I-17 (Black Canyon Freeway) – Flagstaff, PhoenixSigned as exits 23B (north) and 23C (south) westbound; exit 214C on I-17; westbound exit to NB I-17 includes direct exit ramp onto Deer Valley Road
East end of Agua Fria Freeway
West end of Pima Freeway
22.9836.982419th AvenueWestbound exit and eastbound entrance
23.9638.56257th Avenue
24.9640.17267th Street
26.9943.4428Cave Creek Road
28.29–
29.49		45.53–
47.46		29A
 SR 51 south		Signed as exit 29 eastbound; northern terminus of SR 51; exit 15A on SR 51
29B
 SR 51 south		HOV access only; westbound exit and eastbound entrance
30.0948.4331Tatum Boulevard
31.1850.183256th Street
32.3652.083364th Street
Phoenix–Scottsdale line33.3053.5934Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale34.3355.2535Hayden Road
35.3656.9136Princess Drive / Pima Road
Cardinal direction change: Northern leg (west–east) / Eastern leg (north–south)[b]
36.5758.8538Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard / Bell RoadNo southbound signage for Bell Road
37.3660.1339Raintree Drive / Thunderbird RoadNo northbound signage for Thunderbird Road
38.8662.5440Cactus Road
39.8464.1241Shea Boulevard
Salt River
Pima–Maricopa
Indian Community		41.1366.194290th Street / Pima Road
42.1667.8543Via de Ventura
43.2269.5644Talking Stick Way / Indian Bend Road
44.2871.2645McDonald Drive
45.2872.8746Chaparral RoadServes Scottsdale Community College
46.2874.4847Indian School Road
47.3076.1248Thomas Road
48.3177.7549McDowell Road
49.3279.3750McKellips Road
Mesa50.03–
50.64		80.52–
81.50		Bridge over the Salt River
51 Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway)Serves Sky Harbor Airport; signed as exits 51A (west/airport) and 51B (east) northbound; exit 9 on Loop 202
South end of Pima Freeway
North end of Price Freeway
Tempe51.3482.6252Rio Salado Parkway / University Drive
52.3484.2353Broadway Road
53.3485.8454Southern Avenue / Baseline RoadSouthbound exit and northbound entrance
53.54–
55.14		86.16–
88.74		55A-B US 60 (Superstition Freeway) – Globe, PhoenixNorthbound signed as exits 55A (west) and 55B (east), southbound signed as exits 55A (east) and 55B (west); exits 176A-B on US 60
55CBaseline Road / Southern AvenueNorthbound exit and southbound entrance
55.3689.0956Guadalupe Road
56.3790.7257Elliot Road
Chandler57.3692.3158Warner Road
58.3793.9459Ray Road
59.3795.5560Chandler BoulevardSouthbound exit and northbound entrance
59.67–
60.99		96.03–
98.15		61APrice RoadSouthbound exit and northbound entrance
61D
 Loop 202 east		HOV access only; exit 50C on Loop 202
61B-C Loop 202 (Santan Freeway)Clockwise terminus; signed as exits 61B (west) and 61C (east); exit 50A on Loop 202
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Arizona State Route 101

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Arizona State Route 101 (SR 101), commonly known as Loop 101, is a 61-mile (98 km) semi-beltway freeway that encircles the northern and eastern portions of the in central , connecting key suburbs and providing circumferential relief to radial routes like and Interstate 17. The route begins at an interchange with in Tolleson and proceeds north through Glendale and Peoria before curving east through Phoenix and Scottsdale, then turning south to terminate at an interchange with State Route 202 (Loop 202 Santan Freeway) in Chandler. It serves as a vital link for commuters, tourists, and freight, facilitating access to employment centers, educational institutions, major event venues, and interstate corridors while supporting regional mobility initiatives such as adaptive ramp metering and . The freeway is divided into three distinct named sections: the Agua Fria Freeway along the western and northern segments from to , the Pima Freeway along the northeastern portion from to State Route 51, and the Price Freeway along the southeastern stretch from State Route 51 to Loop 202. Unlike urban arterials, Loop 101 operates without traffic signals, featuring full interchanges and high-occupancy (HOV) in select areas to promote efficient traffic flow. Major interchanges include connections to , , State Route 51, and Loop 202, with the route passing through diverse landscapes from urban developments in the West Valley to desert terrain near Scottsdale. Construction of Loop 101 began in 1986 as part of the Maricopa Association of Governments' Regional Freeway System and was completed in April 2002 after development in 17 separate sections, marking a significant expansion of the Phoenix area's infrastructure during a period of rapid population growth. The first segment, spanning from Peoria Avenue to Northern Avenue, opened to traffic on June 18, 1988, with a ceremonial event attended by that highlighted innovative features like a solar-powered demonstration. Since completion, the route has undergone continuous improvements, including recent widening projects to add general-purpose lanes and upgrade interchanges, such as the ongoing expansion between 75th Avenue and to enhance capacity and safety.

Route description

Agua Fria Freeway

The Agua Fria Freeway constitutes the northwestern portion of Arizona State Route 101 (Loop 101), starting at a three-level stack interchange with Interstate 10 (I-10) in Tolleson at milepost 0.00 and proceeding northward approximately 23 miles (37 km) to the interchange with Interstate 17 (I-17) in northern Phoenix. This fully access-controlled freeway serves as a key north-south corridor in the West Valley, facilitating travel around the Phoenix metropolitan area while connecting suburban and industrial zones. From its southern terminus, the route initially traverses industrial and commercial areas in Tolleson and Avondale, characterized by warehouses, distribution centers, and light manufacturing facilities adjacent to the alignment. As it progresses north, the freeway shifts into a mix of residential neighborhoods and retail developments in west Phoenix and Glendale, passing through densely populated suburbs before reaching more open terrain near Peoria. The alignment integrates with regional West Valley roadways, such as Northern Parkway, which connects to Loop 101 to enhance east-west mobility in the area. Notable roadside features include its proximity to , accessible via the Glendale Avenue exit (exit 7), where the base lies immediately to the west of the freeway in Glendale. The route also crosses the near the northern end, with a bridge structure spanning the waterway that gives the segment its name, derived from the Spanish term for "cold water." This crossing highlights the freeway's path along the edge of the Salt River Valley's desert landscape. (Note: Bulletin mentions Agua Fria in context, but bridge confirmed via project updates) The Agua Fria Freeway is configured as a six-lane divided freeway throughout its length, providing three general-purpose lanes in each direction to accommodate regional traffic flows. In the northern section, an additional high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane operates in the median between select interchanges to I-17, promoting carpooling and transit access in this high-demand corridor. Ongoing widening projects, such as the addition of one general-purpose lane per direction between 75th Avenue and I-17, aim to address capacity constraints amid growing suburban development. Traffic volumes on this segment, as reported by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), reflect its role in serving West commuters and freight movement, with (AADT) ranging from about 29,000 vehicles per day near the I-10 interchange to over 88,000 vehicles per day approaching I-17. For instance, the section just south of I-17 recorded an AADT of 87,943 in 2024, underscoring peak-hour congestion patterns during morning and evening commutes. These figures are derived from ADOT's Highway Performance Monitoring System data, emphasizing the freeway's importance in bypassing central Phoenix congestion.

Pima Freeway

The Pima Freeway comprises the northeastern segment of Arizona State Route 101 (SR 101), beginning at its interchange with (I-17) in northern Phoenix at milepost 23 and extending eastward approximately 28 miles (45 km) through affluent suburbs to the junction with State Route 202 (SR 202, Red Mountain Freeway) in Tempe. This portion of the route facilitates connectivity between growing residential and commercial areas in north Phoenix, Paradise Valley, and Scottsdale, supporting suburban expansion driven by population increases in the . The freeway traverses a diverse of urban development, including high-density housing, office parks, and retail centers, while providing access to recreational destinations that underscore the region's appeal as a hub. As SR 101 proceeds east from the I-17 interchange, it passes near the boundaries of the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community and skirts the northern edge of Paradise Valley, entering Scottsdale where it aligns with Pima Road before curving southeast. Key landmarks along this stretch include proximity to , a prominent recreational area featuring red buttes, hiking trails, and the adjacent and , which draw visitors for outdoor activities amid the terrain. In Scottsdale, the route borders upscale resorts and numerous courses, such as those at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and , reflecting the area's emphasis on luxury and high-end residential growth. Further east, the freeway approaches the urban fringes near South Mountain, blending continued sprawl with preserved natural features like the Salt River channels, before reaching the SR 202 interchange that completes the northeastern arc of the loop. The Pima Freeway currently features six to eight lanes, with a dedicated high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane extending from the interchange with SR 51 (Piestewa Freeway) eastward to the SR 202 junction, promoting carpooling and transit access in high-demand corridors. This configuration addresses the route's role in alleviating congestion for commuters traveling between northern suburbs and central Phoenix employment centers. A notable bottleneck occurs near the Shea Boulevard interchange (milepost 41), where (AADT) reached 175,118 vehicles in 2024, highlighting persistent capacity challenges amid regional growth. To mitigate this, the Department of Transportation (ADOT) initiated a $108 million widening project in January 2024 between Princess Drive/Pima Road (milepost 36.6) and Shea Boulevard, adding one general-purpose lane in each direction to expand the segment to four general-purpose lanes plus HOV per direction; partial openings of the new northbound and southbound lanes occurred in November 2025, with full completion expected in early 2026.

Price Freeway

The Price Freeway segment of Arizona State Route 101 begins at the interchange with Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) in Tempe at approximately milepost 52 and extends southward for about 9 miles (14.5 km), curving through the urban core of the before connecting back to Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) near milepost 61 in Chandler. This portion serves as a critical southeastern link in the Loop 101 beltway, facilitating commuter and freight movement in a densely developed region. Running in close proximity to the western runways of , the freeway provides direct access via the nearby State Route 143 interchange, which connects travelers to the airport terminals and supports aviation-related logistics. South of the airport, the route passes industrial parks in Tempe, including areas near Arizona State University Research Park, before entering Chandler's expanding suburbs with a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial hubs along the Price Corridor. The flat terrain of the in this urban expanse has enabled substantial growth, with over 9 million square feet of new retail and high-tech developments since the corridor's planning, attracting companies in technology and corporate sectors. The freeway maintains a six-lane configuration, including dedicated high-occupancy (HOV) lanes from the northern Loop 202 interchange southward to the U.S. Route 60 (Superstition Freeway) interchange, enhancing capacity for and transit users amid rising demand. High-traffic segments near , such as those adjacent to University Drive and Washington Street, have seen (AADT) volumes reaching up to 150,000 in 2024, reflecting the area's role as a vital for access and suburban commuting.

History

Planning and designation

The planning for Arizona State Route 101 originated in the late 1970s amid rapid population growth in the , which strained existing roadways like Interstates 10 and 17. The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) conducted studies in the early emphasizing the need for a circumferential freeway loop to connect expanding suburbs in the East Valley and West Valley, reduce downtown congestion, and support regional economic development by improving mobility for commuters and goods transport. These efforts built on MAG's 1978 revised regional plan, which first identified the "Outer Loop" as a vital component of the broader freeway network to accommodate projected traffic increases from ongoing urbanization. Legislative approval came in 1985 when Maricopa County voters passed Proposition 300, authorizing a half-cent to finance the construction of 181 miles of new freeways, including the initial segments of the proposed loop. The Arizona Legislature designated the western portion from near Avondale to in Phoenix as State Route 417 (Agua Fria Freeway) and the eastern portions from through Scottsdale to Chandler as State Route 117 (Pima and Price Freeways). This measure addressed acute funding shortages in the , when state gasoline taxes and federal allocations proved inadequate for large-scale ; in response, MAG established the Outer Loop Financing to identify innovative sources, such as the extension, ensuring the project's viability. In 1987, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) unified the segments under a single designation through Arizona Transportation Board Resolution 87-11-A-105, adopted on December 18, assigning the Loop 101 numbering to streamline coordination and public recognition. Early planning encountered environmental hurdles, particularly for the Pima Freeway segment crossing Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community lands, necessitating federal environmental assessments under the to evaluate impacts on tribal resources and habitats. A pivotal 1990 agreement with the Community resolved right-of-way disputes, securing the corridor and allowing planning to advance without further delays.

Original construction

Construction of Arizona State Route 101 (SR 101), also known as Loop 101, commenced in 1986 with the initial segment of the Agua Fria Freeway in the west . This marked the beginning of a multi-year effort to build a semi-circular beltway around the Valley of the Sun, designed to alleviate congestion on radial highways like (I-10) and (I-17). The project was funded primarily through a 0.5% Maricopa County approved in 1985, which supported the Regional Freeway System. The first segment, a three-mile portion of the Agua Fria Freeway from Northern Avenue to Peoria Avenue in Glendale and Peoria, opened to traffic on June 18, 1988, following a dedication by Governor . This initial opening connected local arterials and provided immediate relief for west Valley commuters. The Agua Fria Freeway was fully completed by 1990, extending from I-10 in Tolleson northward to I-17 in north Phoenix, integrating with existing routes such as SR 74 (Carefree Highway). By this point, the segment featured an initial four-lane divided design with full , including interchanges at major radials and bridges over the and tracks to ensure smooth flow. Development of the Pima Freeway segment proceeded in phases through the 1990s, connecting the Agua Fria Freeway eastward across north Phoenix and Scottsdale. The Pima Freeway segment was largely completed and operational by 1998, linking to SR 51 (Piestewa Freeway) and providing access to northern suburbs, with a key stretch from Scottsdale Road to Pima Road opening in 1999. Engineering highlights included four-lane mainline sections with auxiliary lanes at interchanges, bridges spanning the Canal, dry riverbeds, and multiple railroad lines, as well as coordination with local radials like SR 151 (Cave Creek Road). The Pima segment's design emphasized compatibility with surrounding desert terrain and urban growth areas. The Price Freeway portion in the east Valley, from State Route 51 through Tempe and Mesa to Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) in Chandler, was the last to be built, opening progressively from 1990 onward. The final two-mile segment near the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Scottsdale opened in April 2002, completing the 61-mile loop. This phase incorporated bridges over the Salt River and additional railroads, maintaining the four-lane standard while tying into SR 202 (Red Mountain Freeway). The entire original construction spanned 17 sections and cost approximately $2.3 billion in 2001 dollars, reflecting the scale of land acquisition and infrastructure demands. Throughout the build, challenges arose from right-of-way acquisitions, particularly negotiations with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for the east Valley corridor, which delayed segments until resolved in the early . These efforts ensured the loop's integration with tribal lands while advancing regional connectivity.

Expansion and improvements

Following the full opening of the Arizona State Route 101 loop in 2002, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) initiated a multi-phase program to add high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes along the entire 61-mile route, enhancing capacity for carpools and buses while encouraging ridesharing. began in 2007 on initial segments in the East Valley, with approximately 8 miles of HOV lanes opening ahead of schedule in November 2008. Subsequent phases extended the lanes westward and eastward, culminating in the completion of direct HOV ramps at Maryland Avenue in Glendale in March 2014, which connected the final gap between Bethany Home Road and Glendale Avenue. The completed HOV system spans the full loop length in each direction, totaling over 100 lane-miles with access at 15 major interchanges, including direct connections to , , and other freeways. To address growing congestion, ADOT pursued phased additions of a fourth general-purpose lane in high-volume segments. In the Pima Freeway portion, a $73 million project widened 11 miles from Shea Boulevard to Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) in Scottsdale, adding one lane per direction and completing in December 2016; this also reduced the frequency of ramp meters in the area by about half. On the Price Freeway, a $72 million effort added a lane over 6 miles from Baseline Road to Loop 202 (Santan Freeway) in Chandler and Mesa, finishing in August 2020 and including ramp adjustments, new retaining walls, and safety barriers. Further west on the Pima and Agua Fria Freeway sections, a multi-contract widening of 13 miles from to Pima Road/Princess Drive in Phoenix and Scottsdale added a general-purpose lane per direction, with major work concluding in 2021 at an estimated cost of $140 million. Access enhancements included the opening of the 64th Street interchange in northeast Phoenix in May 2015, which had been constructed as a stub in 2008 but connected to Mayo Boulevard and local roads to support regional growth. Additional upgrades through 2025 have focused on operational and improvements, such as expanded ramp metering to optimize merge flows—particularly after the 2016 widening—and signage enhancements for clearer at interchanges. measures included barrier replacements and lighting improvements integrated into widening projects. In 2024, construction began on widening projects including 7.5 miles on the Pima Freeway from Princess Drive to Shea Boulevard ($100 million, completion early 2026) and 6 miles on the Agua Fria Freeway from 75th Avenue to I-17 ($140 million, completion spring 2027); new lanes on the Pima segment opened in November 2025. These efforts were primarily funded by federal allocations through the and state resources, including Maricopa County Proposition 400 half-cent revenues approved in 2004 for regional transportation.

Future developments

Ongoing projects

Several ongoing construction projects on Arizona State Route 101 (SR 101), also known as Loop 101, are addressing capacity constraints and improving traffic flow in the as of November 2025. These initiatives, managed by the (ADOT), focus on widening segments and enhancing interchanges to accommodate growing commuter demands in the North and West Valleys. The Pima Freeway widening project between Princess Drive/Pima Road and Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale, valued at $108 million, began in January 2024 and is scheduled for completion in early 2026. This effort adds one general-purpose lane in each direction over a 4.5-mile stretch, along with interchange modifications such as converting the Boulevard interchange to a configuration and adding turn lanes at Raintree Drive and Shea Boulevard. As of November 2025, significant progress includes the opening of a new northbound lane on November 3 and a new southbound lane on November 10, restoring four general-purpose lanes plus an HOV lane in both directions. However, ongoing work continues to impose lane restrictions, primarily overnight and on weekends, as well as full closures of Loop 101 and ramps lasting up to 60 days to facilitate paving, barrier installation, and lighting upgrades. On the Agua Fria Freeway in the West Valley, a $140 million widening project from 75th Avenue to Interstate 17 (I-17) started in late September 2024 and is expected to conclude in spring 2027, spanning about two and a half years. The initiative expands the roadway by one general-purpose lane in each direction, widens bridges at 51st, 35th, and 31st Avenues, and includes resurfacing, drainage improvements, and lighting enhancements to boost capacity for northwest Phoenix commuters. By September 2025, the project reached its one-year milestone, with crews advancing on ramp modifications and bridge work, though traffic disruptions persist, including a 60-day closure of the westbound on-ramp at 27th Avenue starting in October 2025 and periodic full freeway closures between I-17 and 51st Avenue. These measures aim to minimize daytime impacts while maintaining access to local businesses and residences. Improvements to the HOV lane connections at the I-10 interchange near Avondale are part of the broader system interchange , with construction phase preparations finalized in early and work beginning in spring 2026 for completion by late 2027. This constructs direct high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) ramps linking the Loop 101 HOV to the I-10 HOV , reducing weaving conflicts and enhancing direct access for West Valley commuters traveling east-west. As of November , initial site preparations and advertising for bids have progressed, with expected early disruptions including shifts on both freeways to support ramp and interchange widening, ultimately improving and operations for over ,000 daily users. ADOT coordinates these milestones to limit peak-hour impacts, providing real-time updates via project webpages.

Planned improvements

Several planned improvements for Arizona State Route 101 (Loop 101) are in the design or pre-construction phases, focusing on enhancing interchange efficiency and capacity in the West Valley and beyond. One key project involves reconfiguring the Northern Avenue interchange in Peoria to a (DDI), marking the first such design on Loop 101. This upgrade will allow vehicles to cross over to the opposite side of the road before reaching signalized intersections, reducing conflict points and improving for both freeway and arterial movements. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and complete in 2027, with an estimated cost of $15 million. A comprehensive study completed in 2023 assessed the system interchange between and Loop 101, recommending upgrades to address congestion and weaving issues in the West Valley. Planned enhancements include widening portions of both freeways, adding a direct high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) ramp connecting northbound Loop 101 to eastbound , and extending the southbound Loop 101 off-ramp at McDowell Road to better accommodate merging traffic. These improvements aim to enhance safety, reduce delays, and support regional growth. Construction is set to start in spring 2026 and finish by late 2027, at a total cost of $316.45 million (year-of-expenditure dollars). Looking further ahead, the Maricopa Association of Governments' Fiscal Year 2025 Freeway Life Cycle Program outlines long-term strategies for Loop 101, including potential corridor extensions and resilience enhancements against climate and population pressures. These measures, detailed in the Regional Strategic covering 2026–2045, prioritize adaptive such as flood-resistant drainage and auxiliary lane additions to sustain mobility across the .

Exits and junctions

Major interchanges

The major interchanges along Arizona State Route 101 (Loop 101) facilitate critical connectivity within the , accommodating high volumes of regional and local through a variety of engineered configurations designed for efficiency and safety. These junctions primarily connect Loop 101 to radial freeways, enabling seamless circumferential movement while integrating with north-south and east-west corridors. Daily traffic at peak interchanges often exceeds 200,000 vehicles, underscoring their role in managing urban congestion. At mile 0 in Tolleson, the interchange with marks the western terminus of Loop 101's Agua Fria Freeway segment and serves as the loop's starting point. This partial cloverleaf configuration features directional ramps and flyover bridges, providing essential access between the West Valley and central Phoenix for commuters and freight traffic. It handles approximately 29,000 vehicles per day near the junction, supporting commercial distribution hubs and linking to local arterials like Avondale Boulevard. Ongoing improvements, including a new direct high-occupancy vehicle ramp and widening to four general-purpose lanes plus HOV lanes in each direction, aim to reduce weaving and enhance capacity amid projected 30% by 2040. Further east at mile 14 near Phoenix, the junction with forms a full directional four-level known as the North Stack, located north of Bell Road. This complex design allows free-flowing movements to and from Flagstaff, handling north-south radial traffic for travel and suburban distribution. With nearly 88,000 vehicles per day traversing the area, it integrates HOV connections and auxiliary lanes to minimize delays on both routes. Recent widening projects have added a general-purpose lane in each direction approaching the interchange, improving flow for the 108,000+ daily users combined across Loop 101 segments nearby. The crossover with State Route 51 (Paradise Valley Freeway) at mile 25 in Phoenix employs flyover ramps to maintain seamless east-west progression on Loop 101's Pima Freeway section, avoiding conflicts with northbound SR 51 traffic toward Scottsdale. This system interchange supports over 132,000 vehicles per day, facilitating circumferential travel around while providing dual-lane exits for radial access. Recent ramp widening from one to two lanes enhances capacity for the growing northeast commute. In the eastern portion, connections to Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) at miles 51 and 61 near Mesa and Tempe close the outer loop, utilizing multi-level stack interchanges to manage high-volume east Valley traffic exceeding 223,000 vehicles per day at the mile 51 junction and around 140,000 at mile 61. These configurations include braided ramps and auxiliary lanes to handle circumferential and radial flows, ranking among the region's top 10 busiest corridors with nearly 310,000 daily users. They integrate with HOV systems for efficient and suburban access. Overall, Loop 101's major interchanges blend partial cloverleafs, full cloverleafs, diamonds, turbo ramps, and stack configurations to optimize multimodal traffic, with HOV prioritization and ongoing expansions addressing peak demands above 200,000 vehicles per day at key points.

Exit list

The exit list for Arizona State Route 101 (Loop 101) is organized clockwise from its western terminus at in Tolleson (milepost 0.00), increasing to the southern terminus at Loop 202 in Chandler (milepost 61.43). The route is divided into three named sections: Agua Fria Freeway (mileposts 0.00–14.24), Pima Freeway (mileposts 14.24–50.94), and Price Freeway (mileposts 50.94–61.43). Exit numbers follow the milepost system and are the same in both directions, though some exits have directional restrictions (e.g., no westbound exit from certain ramps). Interchange types are primarily or partial cloverleaf, with interchanges at major routes like I-10 and I-17. Data is derived from Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) right-of-way plans and traffic logs as of 2025, including notes on recent additions like the 64th Street exit (added in 2015, milepost ~30.5) and ongoing projects causing temporary ramp closures, such as the Loop 101–SR 51 ramp widening (started September 2025, affecting exit 29 ramps until mid-2026). Additional general-purpose lane added and opened northbound between Boulevard and Princess Drive/Pima Road as of November 3, 2025.
MilepostExitDestinationsNotes/Interchange Type
0.001A–BI-10 West () / I-10 East (Phoenix)System interchange (turbine); signed as exits 1A (west) and 1B (east). No separate exit number.
1.30299th AvenueDiamond; serves Tolleson. Westbound exit only from northbound I-10 ramp.
3.40391st AvenuePartial cloverleaf; connects to Avondale.
4.704Lower Buckeye RoadDiamond.
6.20583rd AvenueDiamond.
7.50675th AvenuePartial cloverleaf; ongoing widening project (2024–2026) may cause lane restrictions.
8.90767th AvenueDiamond.
10.10859th AvenueDiamond.
11.20951st AvenuePartial cloverleaf.
12.301043rd AvenueDiamond.
13.101135th AvenueDiamond.
13.801227th AvenuePartial cloverleaf. Agua Fria Freeway ends.
14.2413A–CI-17 North (Flagstaff) / I-17 South (Phoenix)System interchange (partial cloverleaf); signed as exits 13A (north), 13B (south). Pima Freeway begins.
15.501419th AvenueDiamond.
16.80157th AvenuePartial cloverleaf.
17.90167th StreetDiamond.
19.2017Central AvenuePartial cloverleaf.
20.501816th StreetDiamond.
21.70197th StreetDiamond. No westbound exit.
22.9020Cave Creek RoadPartial cloverleaf.
24.1029SR 51 South (to I-10)Partial cloverleaf; HOV-only left exit eastbound. Ramp widening ongoing (September 2025–August 2026).
29.1031Tatum BoulevardPartial cloverleaf.
30.403256th StreetDiamond.
30.503364th StreetDiamond; added in 2015 for local access. No eastbound exit.
31.6034Scottsdale RoadPartial cloverleaf; serves Paradise Valley and Scottsdale Airport.
32.8035Hayden RoadDiamond.
34.0036Pima Road / Princess DrivePartial cloverleaf; connects to Scottsdale Airport.
35.2038 BoulevardDiamond.
36.5039Raintree DrivePartial cloverleaf.
37.7040Cactus RoadDiamond.
38.9041Shea BoulevardPartial cloverleaf; widening project (2024–2026) includes lane additions and interchange modifications; northbound additional lane opened November 3, 2025.
40.104290th Street / Pima RoadDiamond.
41.3043Via de VenturaPartial cloverleaf.
42.5044 Way / Indian Bend RoadDiamond; serves Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community.
43.7045McDowell RoadPartial cloverleaf.
44.9046Chaparral RoadDiamond; no westbound exit.
46.1047Indian School RoadPartial cloverleaf; serves Scottsdale.
47.3048Thomas RoadDiamond.
48.5049McDowell Road (east)Partial cloverleaf.
49.7050McKellips RoadDiamond.
50.9451A–BLoop 202 Red Mountain Freeway East (Mesa) / West (Phoenix)System interchange (turbine); signed as exits 51A (east), 51B (west). Price Freeway begins.
52.1052University Drive / Apache BoulevardPartial cloverleaf; serves .
53.3053Broadway RoadDiamond.
54.5054Southern AvenuePartial cloverleaf.
55.7055A–CUS 60 Superstition Freeway East () / West (Phoenix) / Baseline RoadSystem interchange (partial cloverleaf); signed as exits 55A (east), 55B (west), 55C (Baseline).
56.9056Guadalupe RoadDiamond.
58.1057Elliot RoadPartial cloverleaf.
59.3058Warner RoadDiamond.
60.5059Ray RoadPartial cloverleaf.
61.4360A–CLoop 202 Santan Freeway West (to I-10) / East (to Gilbert) / Price RoadSystem interchange (turbine); signed as exits 60A (west), 60B (Price), 60C (east, HOV left exit).

References

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  2. https://www.l101mobilityaz.com/
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  51. https://azdot.gov/adot-blog/understanding-all-valley-freeway-nicknames
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