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Interstate 17
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Interstate 17 marker
Interstate 17
Arizona Veterans Highway
Map
I-17 highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by ADOT
Length145.93 mi[1] (234.85 km)
Existed1957[2]–present
HistoryCompleted in 1978
NHSEntire route
Major junctions
South end I-10 / US 60 in Phoenix
Major intersections
North end I-40 / SR 89A in Flagstaff
Location
CountryUnited States
StateArizona
CountiesMaricopa, Yavapai, Coconino
Highway system
  • Arizona State Highway System
← I-15→ I-19

Interstate 17 (I-17) is a north–south Interstate Highway located entirely within the US state of Arizona. I-17's southern terminus lies in Phoenix, at I-10/US 60 and its northern terminus is in Flagstaff, at I-40.[1]

Most of I-17 is known as the Arizona Veterans Highway. In the Phoenix metropolitan area, it is mostly known as the Black Canyon Freeway, however, the southern 4.16 miles (6.69 km) are part of the Maricopa Freeway. The portion of the highway south of Cordes Lakes was built along the alignment of State Route 69 (SR 69), while the northern part was built along old SR 79's alignment. The final section of I-17 was completed in 1978.

I-17 gains more than one mile (1.6 km) in elevation between Phoenix at 1,117 feet (340 m) and Flagstaff at 7,000 feet (2,100 m). The highway features several scenic view exits along its route that overlook the many mountains and valleys in northern Arizona.

Route description

[edit]

I-17 is known as the Black Canyon Freeway from the northern end of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area to a point 2.2 miles (3.5 km) south of The Stack interchange with I-10 northwest of Downtown Phoenix. (It is accompanied by frontage roads for most of this portion, and they carry the Black Canyon Highway name to distinguish from the freeway status.) At the Durango Curve southwest of downtown, between the 19th Avenue and Buckeye Road interchanges, it picks up the designation Maricopa Freeway all the way to the southern terminus at the second I-10 junction. It is one of the metropolitan area's primary freeways.[3][4] It has two interchanges with I-10 in Phoenix.[4]

The northern portion of the B Line of the Valley Metro Rail system runs over a bridge of I-17 from Mountain View Road to Metro Parkway, serving one station at Metro Parkway.

I-17 ends at Milton Road (SR 89A) north of I-40 in Flagstaff.

History

[edit]

The I-17 corridor roughly follows the first stagecoach route through the Black Canyon, established in 1878 between Cañon (now Black Canyon City) and Prescott. A later highway through White Spar from Wickenburg to Yarnell was improved in 1925 and incorporated into US 89 in 1926.[5]

In 1936, SR 69 was established as a state route from Phoenix north to Prescott.[6][7] The road was completed by 1940 to Prescott. In 1954, a new route north to Flagstaff was established as SR 79. In May 1956, the Black Canyon Highway from Phoenix to Flagstaff was completed,[5] but not to Interstate standards.[8] It was incorporated into the new Interstate Highway System, established by the federal government later that year, and designated as part of I-17.[5]

The first interchange on the Black Canyon Freeway was built in 1950 west of downtown Phoenix and was extended to Grand Avenue in 1957.[2][5] The freeway was extended to McDowell Road by 1971 and out of the Phoenix suburbs by 1974, at a cost of $33 million.[2] By 1971, I-17 had been completed from Phoenix northward to Camp Verde where a short stretch had not been completed to standards. The stretch from SR 279 (now SR 260) north to SR 179 was also complete. The largest section yet to be completed was from SR 179 north to Flagstaff. This segment was still just a two-lane roadway, but it did have full traffic interchanges built at crossroads. The portion from I-40 south to the Flagstaff Municipal Airport had been completed by this time.[9] The final section of I-17, near Camp Verde and Montezuma Castle, began construction in February 1977 and opened to traffic in August 1978.[5][10]

In 1993, officials in Arizona proposed an extension of I-17 to connect with I-15 in Utah.[11][clarification needed]

The existing interchange with Happy Valley Road in Phoenix was converted to a diverging diamond interchange (DDI). The project was finished in the fall of 2020.[12]

Due to increasing weekend traffic on I-17 between the Phoenix area and northern Arizona, primarily between Phoenix in the south, and Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon in the north, ADOT started plans to widen a 34-mile (55 km) section of four-lane freeway between Anthem and the Sunset Point Rest Area in 2018.[13] In 2021, the design was chosen, with a standard third general-purpose lane set to be added in both directions between Anthem and Black Canyon City, but due to the mountainous topography north of Black Canyon City to Sunset Point, two flex lanes will be added in a separate carriageway next to the existing southbound lanes.[14] The lanes will be allocated depending on whichever direction has the most traffic, generally this will be northbound traffic from Monday through Saturday, and southbound traffic on Sundays. A combination of six different safety systems (vehicle arresting barriers, automated arm gates, concrete barriers, steel gates, dynamic messaging signs, and cameras) will control access to these lanes.[15] Construction began in 2022 and in May 2025, the additional lanes from Anthem to Black Canyon City opened.[16][17] The flex lanes are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.[13][18]

Exit list

[edit]

I-17 has the unusual distinction of starting at approximately milepost 194 instead of at milepost 0.[19] This is a holdover from Arizona's old system of marking mileposts, where a branching route would continue the milepost numbering of its original host, instead of starting over at zero.[20] I-17 inherited its milepost locations from SR 69, which the freeway replaced between Phoenix and Cordes Junction.[21] SR 69's mileposting was such that it coincided with US 89's mileposting, which was 201.6 where the two routes intersected. When I-17 was constructed, the existing mileposting for SR 69 was retained.[3] 

CountyLocationmi[3]kmExitDestinationsNotes
MaricopaPhoenix0.000.00

 I-10 east / US 60 east – Globe, Tucson		Southern end of US 60 concurrency; southern terminus; Maricopa Freeway continues east as I-10/US 60; I-10 exit 150A
0.310.50194
 I-10 west – Sky Harbor		Southbound exit and northbound entrance; I-10 exit 150B
1.141.83195A16th StreetSouthbound exit and northbound entrance
2.153.46195B7th Street / Central AvenueNo southbound signage for Central Avenue
3.165.091967th Avenue / Central AvenueNo northbound signage for Central Avenue
4.166.6919719th Avenue / Durango StreetNo northbound signage for Durango Street

 SR 30 west (Tres Rios Freeway)		Planned interchange at Durango Curve
West end of Maricopa Freeway
South end of Black Canyon Freeway
5.038.10198Buckeye Road (Historic US 80)Northbound exit only
5.348.59199AGrant Street / Buckeye Road (Historic US 80)No northbound signage for Buckeye Road
5.739.22199BJefferson StreetSouthbound exit only
5.889.46Adams Street / Van Buren StreetNorthbound exit and entrance only; Van Buren Street is former I-10 BL
6.4910.44200A I-10 – Central Phoenix, Los AngelesThe Stack; I-10 exit 143
7.0511.35200BMcDowell Road / Van Buren StreetNo northbound signage for Van Buren Street
7.8412.62
 US 60 west (Grand Avenue)		Planned HOV-only interchange; northbound exit and southbound entrance; to be northern end of US 60 concurrency[22]
— US 60 / US 89 / SR 93 (Grand Avenue)Closed in the 1980s; former US 60/US 70/US 89/SR 93
8.0913.02201

 Thomas Road to US 60 west (Grand Avenue)		Northern end of US 60 concurrency; no southbound signage for Grand Avenue
9.0814.61202Indian School Road
10.0816.22203Camelback Road
11.0917.85204Bethany Home Road
12.0919.46205Glendale Avenue
13.0921.07206Northern Avenue
14.1422.76207Dunlap Avenue
15.1324.35208Peoria Avenue
16.1325.96209Cactus Road
17.1227.55210Thunderbird Road
18.1229.16211Greenway Road
19.1330.79212Bell Road
20.1532.43214A-BUnion Hills Drive / Yorkshire DriveSigned separately as exits 214A (Union Hills) and 214B (Yorkshire) northbound; Union Hills Drive was formerly signed as exit 213
21.1133.97214C Loop 101Loop 101 exits 23B-C; northbound entrance includes direct exit ramp onto Deer Valley Road (exit 215B)
21.66–
22.16		34.86–
35.66		215Rose Garden Lane / Deer Valley RoadSigned as exit 215A northbound and 215B southbound
23.2737.45217Pinnacle Peak Road
24.1938.93218Happy Valley Road
25.2340.60219Jomax Road
27.2543.85220Dixileta DriveNorthbound exit and southbound entrance
28.1945.37221A
 Loop 303 south (Bob Stump Memorial Parkway)		Future flyover interchange; to be signed as exit 221B southbound; Loop 303 exits 138A-B; future clockwise terminus of Loop 303[23]
221
 Loop 303 south (Bob Stump Memorial Parkway) / Sonoran Desert Drive		Loop 303 exit 138; current clockwise terminus of Loop 303
Northern terminus of Black Canyon Freeway
29.1746.94222Dove Valley Road
30.1748.55223
 SR 74 west (Carefree Highway) – Wickenburg		Signed as exits 223A (east) and 223B (west) northbound; eastern terminus of SR 74
Anthem31.7051.02225Pioneer Road
33.2153.45227Daisy Mountain Drive
35.2456.71229Anthem Way
New River38.2061.48232New River
42.1867.88236Table Mesa Road
Maricopa–Yavapai
county line		Black Canyon City48.2977.72242Black Canyon City, Rock SpringsFormer I-17 BL north; No southbound entrance
Yavapai50.5681.37244Black Canyon CityFormer I-17 BL south
​—
 I-17 north (Flex Lanes)		South end of reversible Flex lanes
​54.3687.48248Bumble Bee, Crown KingNo access to or from Flex Lanes
​—
 I-17 south (Flex Lanes)		North end of reversible Flex lanes; no access to southbound Flex Lanes from Sunset Point Rest Area
​58.4894.11252Sunset Point Rest Area and Scenic ViewFrontage roads provide all-direction access to a unified Rest Area / Scenic View off west side of freeway
​61.8599.54256Badger Springs Road
Cordes Lakes65.23104.98259Bloody Basin Road
68.44110.14262
 SR 69 north / Cordes Lakes Road – Prescott		Northbound exit and southbound entrance
68.77110.67263

 Arcosanti Road to SR 69 north – Prescott		Northbound exit signed as Arcosanti Road only
​74.53119.94268Orme Road / Dugas Road
​84.16135.44278
 SR 169 south – Dewey-Humboldt, Prescott		Northern terminus of SR 169
​89.04143.30—Runaway Truck rampNorthbound left exit and southbound left entrance
Camp Verde91.31146.95285General Crook Trail
93.06149.77287
 SR 260 to SR 89A – Cottonwood, Payson		Former SR 279
95.74154.08289Montezuma Castle National Monument
Verde RiverDan Bell Memorial Bridge
Lake Montezuma99.04159.39293
 CR 30 west – McGuireville, Cornville, Montezuma Well		Eastern terminus of CR 30
​102.29–
102.36		164.62–
164.73		McGuireville Rest Areas
​104.75168.58298
 SR 179 north – Sedona		Southern terminus of SR 179
​112.09180.39306Stoneman Lake Road
Coconino​118.67190.98Scenic View (southbound only)
​121.37195.33315Rocky Park Road
​123.65199.00317Fox Ranch Road
​126.29203.24320Schnebly Hill Road
Munds Park128.51206.82322Munds Park
129.04207.67Christensen Rest Areas
​132.01212.45326Willard Springs Road
​134.55216.54328Newman Park Road
​136.90220.32331Kelly Canyon Road
Kachina Village139.65224.74333Kachina Boulevard / Mountainaire Road
Flagstaff143.17230.41337
 SR 89A south (John Wesley Powell Boulevard) – Sedona, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport		Southern end of SR 89A concurrency
145.55234.24339Lake Mary Road – Mormon LakeNorthbound exit only
145.76234.58340 I-40 – Los Angeles, Albuquerque

 SR 89A north – Flagstaff, Grand Canyon		Northern end of SR 89A concurrency; signed as exits 340A (east) and 340B (west); I-40 exit 195; freeway continues as SR 89A north (former SR 79)
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Former business route

[edit]
Interstate 17 Business marker
State Business Route 17
LocationBlack Canyon City
Length3 mi (4.8 km)
Existed2011

State Business Route 17 (also known as SR 17 Bus.) was a former three-mile (4.8 km) business loop of I-17 that served the west side of Black Canyon City, Arizona. SR 17 Bus. followed Old Black Canyon Highway (formerly SR 69 before I-17 replaced most of the route between Phoenix and Cordes Junction) from exit 242 south of town at a diamond interchange to another diamond interchange at exit 244 north of town. The business route was subsequently transferred from state to local maintenance and because of ADOT's policy of not signing business loops on nonstate maintained roadways, the route was decommissioned in 2011.[citation needed]

Major intersections
The entire route was in Black Canyon City.

CountymikmDestinationsNotes
Maricopa–Yavapai
county line		0.0000.000 I-17 – Phoenix, FlagstaffSouthern terminus; I-17 exit 242
Yavapai3.0004.828 I-17 – Flagstaff, PhoenixNorthern terminus; I-17 exit 244
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Interstate 17

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Interstate 17 (I-17) is a north–south Interstate Highway spanning 145.76 miles (234.58 km) entirely within Arizona. It begins at its southern terminus with Interstate 10 in Phoenix and ends at its northern terminus with Interstate 40 in Flagstaff. The route passes through the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Black Canyon, Verde Valley, and the Mogollon Rim, traversing urban, desert, canyon, and forested mountain landscapes while climbing from about 1,100 feet (340 m) in elevation near Phoenix to over 6,900 feet (2,100 m) in Flagstaff. Designated as a Key Commerce Corridor and part of the National Highway System, I-17 facilitates vital freight transport, commuter traffic, and tourism between and the . The southern portion, known as the Black Canyon Freeway, largely follows the path of the historic State Route 69, originally developed as a route in the late and paved as a starting in 1936. The northern section incorporates alignments from State Route 79, completed in 1961. Freeway construction commenced in 1956, with the final segment opening in 1978, marking the full designation of I-17 and significantly reducing travel times across the state.

Overview

Route summary

Interstate 17 (I-17) is a north–south Interstate Highway located entirely within , connecting the to the city of Flagstaff over a distance of 145.93 miles (234.85 km). Its southern terminus is at an interchange with (I-10) and U.S. Route 60 (US 60) in , while the northern terminus is at a junction with I-40 and State Route 89A (SR 89A) just south of downtown Flagstaff. The northern portion from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff is designated as the Arizona Veterans Highway in 2004 through Senate Joint Resolution 1001, honoring the service and sacrifices of Arizona's military veterans. The highway ascends dramatically from an elevation of 1,090 feet (330 m) above sea level in Phoenix to 6,910 feet (2,110 m) in Flagstaff, linking the arid lowlands with the cooler, forested highlands of . Annual average daily traffic (AADT) along I-17 peaks at over 178,000 vehicles in the Phoenix area, such as near state milepost 210 (between Cactus Road and Thunderbird Road), but drops to around 34,000 north of Camp Verde near interstate milepost 93 (between state mileposts 285 and 287). Note that mileposts referenced here use Arizona's state milepost system, where I-17 begins at milepost 194. The route briefly serves communities including Glendale, Peoria, , Black Canyon City, and Camp Verde en route to Flagstaff, while providing essential connectivity to I-10 southward and I-40 northward.

Length and specifications

Interstate 17 measures 145.93 miles (234.85 km) in total length, entirely within , connecting Phoenix to Flagstaff. The route traverses three counties, with 59.86 miles (96.34 km) in Maricopa County, 60.81 miles (97.87 km) in County, and 25.26 miles (40.64 km) in Coconino County. As a divided freeway, Interstate 17 adheres to design standards, featuring four lanes throughout its length (two in each direction), with certain urban and high-traffic segments expanded to six lanes for improved capacity. Speed limits vary by terrain and location, ranging from 65 mph (as of 2023) in the to 75 mph in rural and mountainous sections. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) maintains jurisdiction over all segments of the route, ensuring compliance with federal and state safety and operational requirements. Service facilities along Interstate 17 are limited, with rest areas provided at mileposts 252 (Sunset Point, bidirectional), 298 (McGuireville, northbound and southbound), and 324 (Christensen, northbound); no full-service plazas with fuel or extensive amenities are available.

Route description

Phoenix metropolitan area

Interstate 17 begins at the in , where it connects with and U.S. Route 60 along the Papago Freeway, functioning as the primary northbound artery for traffic exiting the urban core toward northern suburbs and beyond. The highway, designated as the Black Canyon Freeway in this southern segment, traverses densely developed commercial districts and residential zones, carrying heavy commuter volumes that peak at around 220,000 vehicles per day in urban stretches. Starting at an elevation of 1,117 feet, it provides essential access for the , which spans over 14,500 square miles and serves more than 4.9 million residents. Heading north, I-17 passes through the cities of Phoenix, Glendale, and Peoria, intersecting key arterials such as U.S. Route 60 (Grand Avenue) near 19th Avenue in Phoenix and State Route 74 (Carefree Highway) on the northern outskirts of Peoria. The route lies in proximity to , the U.S. Air Force's largest fighter wing training facility located about 15 miles west in Glendale, supporting regional military and civilian mobility. Urban features dominate this corridor, including high-rise office buildings, retail hubs like near Peoria Avenue, and institutional sites such as Glendale Community College, all amid persistent congestion from daily commutes between the Valley's job centers and suburbs. The freeway typically features four to six general-purpose lanes, supplemented by high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in denser areas to manage peak-hour flows. As I-17 progresses northward through in north Phoenix, it transitions from intense urban environments to expanding suburban developments, widening to six lanes to accommodate growing residential communities and commercial outlets like Happy Valley Towne Center and Park West shopping areas. Exits serve major residential enclaves, golf courses, and recreational facilities, reflecting the area's shift toward master-planned neighborhoods and light industrial zones. This 34-mile segment, from milepost 194 at the to approximately milepost 228 near , marks the gradual fade of metropolitan sprawl into semi-rural landscapes, with daily traffic volumes decreasing to around 100,000 vehicles as development thins.

Black Canyon corridor

The Black Canyon corridor of Interstate 17 begins north of the at , approximately at milepost 229, where the highway transitions from suburban development into the rugged desert landscape of the drainage. Here, I-17 enters Black Canyon, characterized by steep grades reaching up to 6 percent and sharp curves that wind through narrow, rocky confines flanked by desert scrub and prominent rock formations. This segment, spanning roughly 33 miles northward to around milepost 262, provides scenic views of Black Mesa and the surrounding arid terrain, serving as a vital link for commuters and freight between central communities. As the route progresses, I-17 passes through the community of New River near milepost 232 and continues to Black Canyon City at exit 242, a small settlement historically tied to mining and travel. The highway intersects State Route 69 at Cordes Junction (milepost 262), facilitating access to nearby Dewey-Humboldt and the Prescott area. Along this stretch, exits such as 256 (Badger Springs Road) and 259 (Bloody Basin Road) provide entry points to the Agua Fria National Monument, a featuring prehistoric , riparian corridors, and hiking opportunities within the Bloody Basin region east of the interstate. The corridor's alignment largely follows the historic path of the 1878 route along the old State Route 69, which traversed challenging river crossings and canyon terrain before I-17's construction in the mid-20th century. Terrain challenges in the Black Canyon corridor include the narrow canyon walls that restrict roadway expansion and contribute to safety concerns like rockfall and single-vehicle crashes, particularly in the mountainous segments between Black Canyon City and Sunset Point rest area (mileposts 251-252). These geological constraints, combined with the route's curves and elevation gains, limit the highway to primarily four lanes (two in each direction) with occasional climbing lanes for trucks, though flex third lanes were added in the mileposts 244-252 segment as of May 2025. Northward, the corridor approaches the Verde Valley near milepost 278, where the landscape begins to open into broader valleys, though the focus remains on the canyon's distinctive desert confines.

Northern Arizona mountains

The northern segment of Interstate 17 departs Camp Verde at approximately milepost 287, initiating a challenging ascent through the Verde Valley as it heads toward higher elevations while within Prescott National Forest. Here, the highway intersects State Route 260 at exit 287 in Camp Verde, providing access to regional attractions, before continuing northward with access to via exit 289 and crossing State Route 179 at exit 298 near Big Park. This intersection offers indirect connectivity to Sedona's iconic red rock vistas via SR 179, though I-17 itself maintains no direct exits into the town, preserving the route's focus on efficient northbound travel through the valley's open terrain. Entering the final stretch of Prescott National Forest near milepost 310, I-17 navigates a rugged stretch characterized by sharp curves, grades reaching up to 7 percent, and steady climbs that elevate the roadway to over 7,000 feet. The path indirectly skirts , traversing forested ridges and valleys within the national forest boundaries, where dense woodlands and occasional overlooks highlight the transition from valley scrub to coniferous landscapes. This section demands careful navigation for vehicles due to the steep inclines and winding alignment designed to conform to the mountainous topography. As I-17 proceeds into around milepost 320, it winds through ponderosa pine stands and elevated plateaus, offering distant views of the , Arizona's highest mountain range. The final approach to Flagstaff involves an interchange with State Route 89A at exit 337, culminating at a modified partial cloverleaf junction with west of the city. Amid this high-elevation setting, the highway incorporates environmental safeguards, including wildlife overpasses, extensive fencing, and features like reinforced slopes and drainage culverts to address the steep terrain's challenges and minimize ecological disruption; flex lanes for dynamic third-lane use operate near mileposts 310-319 as of 2024. This mountainous portion covers roughly 53 miles, from milepost 287 to the northern terminus at milepost 340 (equivalent to interstate mile 145.76).

History

Pre-interstate era

The origins of what would become Interstate 17 trace back to the mid-19th century, when the Black Canyon Road, following ancient Native American trails established in the 1860s, became a vital wagon and later stagecoach route connecting Phoenix to Prescott in the Arizona Territory. This path followed ancient Native American trails along the Agua Fria River, navigating steep gorges, rugged desert terrain, and mountain grades that made travel arduous and time-consuming, often requiring several days for the 140-mile journey. The first stagecoach line began operating in March 1878. Early development faced significant challenges, including pervasive dust storms that obscured visibility and choked engines later on, seasonal flooding along washes like the Agua Fria that washed out sections of the road, and ongoing conflicts with Yavapai and Tonto Apache peoples, whose lands the route traversed during a period of intense territorial expansion and military campaigns. These territorial roads were first formalized in 1864, with the segment between Dewey and Prescott designated as the Arizona Territory's inaugural public road, reflecting efforts to support mining booms and military logistics amid such adversities. In the early , automobile travel prompted improvements to these historic paths, leading to the designation of Arizona State Route 69 in 1936. This state highway aligned closely with the Black Canyon route, providing a more reliable paved connection from Phoenix northward through Black Canyon City toward Prescott, though initial construction focused on grading and basic surfacing to address ongoing issues like and dust. The route's completion to Prescott occurred in 1956, just as federal interstate planning accelerated, but it served as the primary precursor for the southern portion of the future I-17 corridor. Further north, connectivity to Flagstaff was improved by a later Arizona State Route 79, designated in 1954 and completed in 1961, which provided a more direct alignment from near Cordes Junction through the to Flagstaff via Munds Park, serving as the basis for I-17's northern section. The earlier SR 79 (established in ) had used a more scenic but winding path from Prescott through , the , and , extended northeast to in Flagstaff by 1928, with paving of its northern segments completed in the mid-1930s to mitigate steep grades and weather-related hazards. Following , Arizona's highway department intensified planning for modern infrastructure to handle growing traffic and economic demands, influenced by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1955, which proposed a national network of controlled-access highways. This legislation spurred state-level studies, including evaluations of the Black Canyon corridor as a key north-south link. The pivotal moment came with the , which authorized the and explicitly included the Phoenix-to-Flagstaff corridor—aligning with former SR 69 and SR 79—as Interstate 17, marking the transition from rudimentary territorial trails to a federally funded expressway.

Construction and completion

Interstate 17 was designated in 1957 as part of the national established by the , with the Black Canyon Freeway in the Phoenix area selected as its southern alignment to connect the capital to . Construction began in 1956 on the initial segments of the Black Canyon Freeway, with the first interchange opening at Grand Avenue in 1957, marking Arizona's inaugural freeway interchange. By 1960, the freeway extended north from Phoenix to near what is now State Route 74 (Carefree Highway), spanning about seven miles and providing the state's first modern limited-access route in the metropolitan area. The northern sections from Flagstaff south to Camp Verde were constructed primarily between 1960 and the early 1970s, building on the earlier State Route 79 alignment completed in 1961 from Cordes Junction to Flagstaff, which was upgraded to interstate standards. Central portions through the Black Canyon faced significant delays due to the challenging rocky and steep terrain, requiring extensive blasting and realignment; these links were largely finished between 1973 and 1976. The alignment was adjusted east of and Cordes Junction to ascend Black Mesa, avoiding the steeper grades of the former State Route 79 path. Key engineering challenges included navigating the narrow Black Canyon corridor, where crews blasted through solid rock and constructed over 20 bridges, including the twin spans over the completed in 1960 and the opened in 1978. These efforts led to cost overruns, exemplified by the final 5.4-mile segment from Copper Basin to Montezuma Castle, which cost $7.7 million upon its completion. The full 146-mile length of Interstate 17 opened to traffic in August 1978 with the dedication of the northernmost stretch near Camp Verde, marking the completion of 's primary north-south interstate corridor. In 2003, the Arizona Legislature designated the route as the Arizona Veterans Highway in honor of military veterans, a name that applies to its entire length from Phoenix to Flagstaff.

Improvements

Past expansions

Following the completion of Interstate 17 in 1978, the highway underwent several significant expansions in the during the late 1980s and 1990s to accommodate rapid suburban growth and increasing traffic volumes. These upgrades primarily involved adding auxiliary and high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes along the Black Canyon Freeway corridor. For instance, HOV and auxiliary lanes were constructed between Peoria Avenue and Glendale Avenue, with construction occurring in 1999 and the lanes opening to traffic by September 2000. This project, part of a broader seven-mile widening from Thomas Road to Peoria Avenue costing $82 million, enhanced capacity in the densely populated northwest Phoenix area. In the , focus shifted to bridge rehabilitations and safety enhancements, particularly in the canyon sections prone to geological hazards. Key efforts included replacing bridges at Camelback Road and Glendale Avenue as part of the 2000 widening project, which also incorporated improved guardrails and barriers to address runoff and stability issues in rugged terrain. Additionally, the I-40/I-17 interchange north of Phoenix was reconstructed between 1998 and 2002, with the overpass completed in fall 1998 for $12.7 million, improving structural integrity and traffic flow. These rehabilitations were prompted by wear from heavy use and environmental factors, such as occasional rockfalls in the Black Canyon corridor, leading to upgraded guardrails for better vehicle containment. Environmental mitigations were integrated into expansions during the , with underpasses constructed in northern forested areas to minimize animal-vehicle collisions. Structures like those at Munds Canyon and Woods Canyon bridges, operational by the early 2000s, facilitated safe passage for and deer across the highway, reducing incidents in high-risk zones. In 2011, the SR 17 Business Loop through Black Canyon City was decommissioned and fully integrated into the mainline I-17, streamlining the route along former SR 69 alignments and eliminating redundant signage. Funding for these past expansions came primarily from the Federal Highway Trust Fund, which supported interstate maintenance and improvements nationwide, supplemented by state bonds for urban segments in the Phoenix area.

Current and future projects

The I-17 Improvement Project, initiated in 2022 by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), focuses on enhancing capacity and safety along a 23-mile stretch between Anthem Way and Sunset Point near Black Canyon City. This effort includes widening the freeway to add a third lane in each direction over 15 miles, which was completed and opened to in 2025. Additionally, approximately eight miles of flex lanes—reversible shoulders that can be dynamically opened to during peak times—are under final and scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, marking 's first implementation of such technology on a freeway. The project is delivered through a design-build-operate-maintain public-private partnership and is part of ADOT's 2021–2025 Five-Year Program, with a total budget of $522 million funded by state and federal sources. As part of the I-17 Improvement Project, bridge enhancements have addressed structural vulnerabilities in the corridor. Two bridges were fully replaced, while ten others were widened to accommodate the expanded lanes; these works, including the northbound Bumble Bee Road bridge, were largely completed by mid-2025, with final detailing such as deck pours and barrier installations finished in the summer of that year. Ongoing minor widenings on select bridges are expected to conclude by the end of 2025, improving load capacity and reducing maintenance needs without major disruptions to traffic, as work is confined to off-peak hours. The I-10/I-17 Spine Corridor Master Plan, launched by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) in April 2014, provides a long-term framework for managing congestion through 2040 along the interconnected I-10 and I-17 routes in the Phoenix area. Key strategies include modernizing 24 of 31 interchanges, adding five new high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) ramps, and implementing smart corridor technologies such as intelligent transportation systems for real-time . The plan also emphasizes transit integration, with coordinated crossings at four locations and enhanced and connectivity via nine new structures, alongside the addition of at least one managed lane per direction to create a continuous system. Accepted into MAG's 2040 Regional Transportation Plan in 2017, the plan's recommendations continue to guide programming and funding priorities as of 2025. In , proposed projects target safety and environmental concerns. Construction on the Willard Springs Wildlife Overpass at milepost 327, south of Flagstaff, began in spring 2025 to facilitate safe animal crossings and reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions; the $15.8 million initiative, a between ADOT and the Game and Fish Department, is slated for completion in late 2026. A 1993 proposal to extend I-17 northward into along was ultimately deemed unfeasible due to environmental, tribal, and cost barriers, and it has not advanced since.

Special routes

Business loops

Interstate 17 has no active business loops as of 2025, with all former auxiliary routes having been decommissioned and absorbed into local roadways or the mainline alignment. The sole business route associated with I-17 was State Business Route 17 (SR 17 Bus.) in Black Canyon City, which followed the former alignment of State Route 69 along Old Black Canyon Highway for approximately three miles between exits 242 and 244. Signed from the until its removal in 2011, this loop provided direct access to local businesses and services in the bypassed community, serving as a vital link for commerce along the historic Black Canyon corridor. Business loops like SR 17 Bus. are designed to preserve economic vitality in small towns by routing through central districts, allowing travelers to exit the freeway for shopping, dining, and services without disrupting the efficiency of the primary highway. Following its decommissioning, the former loop was redesignated as a local road, eliminating separate signage and integrating it seamlessly into the I-17 system to improve overall traffic flow and direct connectivity north of Phoenix.

Former alignments

One notable former alignment of Interstate 17 (I-17) was the short-lived State Business Route 17 in Black Canyon City, a 3-mile (4.8 km) loop that followed the old alignment of State Route 69 (SR 69), also known as the Old Black Canyon Highway. Signed from the 1970s until its decommissioning in 2011, this route provided access to the west side of Black Canyon City from exits 242 and 244 on the mainline I-17. The business loop was removed after the underlying roadway was transferred from state to local maintenance, in line with Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) policy against signing business routes on non-state-maintained highways. In the northern section, portions of the original SR 79 alignment from the 1930s through the 1960s between Cordes Junction and Camp Verde were bypassed by a straighter path during I-17's construction. SR 79, established in 1950 to connect Cordes Junction northward toward Flagstaff, was largely replaced by I-17 as the freeway was completed, leading to the route's decommissioning in 1970. The new interstate alignment straightened the winding older road, improving travel efficiency through the mountainous terrain. Decommissioning of these older alignments, including the Black Canyon City business loop, was driven by factors such as low traffic volumes on the legacy routes and the high costs of ongoing state maintenance, with traffic patterns shifting to direct interchanges like exits 244 through 248. Following realignments, much of the old SR 79 and SR 69 pavement was repurposed or left as remnants, particularly near where sections of the pre-interstate road remain visible as frontage roads or abandoned segments east of the current I-17 corridor up Black Mesa.

Route data

Exit list

Interstate 17 features mile-based exit numbering starting near milepost 194 at its southern terminus with Interstate 10 in Phoenix. The following table lists all exits from south to north, including mileposts where documented by the Arizona Department of Transportation.
ExitMilepostLocations ServedNotes
194194.21I-10 (east to Globe/Tucson; west to Sky Harbor Airport/Los Angeles)Southern terminus of I-17; partial interchange with full access to I-10.
195A194.9116th StreetNorthbound exit/southbound entrance only.
195B195.937th Street, Central Avenue
196196.947th Avenue, Central Avenue
197197.9419th Avenue, State Capitol, Durango Street
198198.81Buckeye Road
199A199.12Grant StreetNorthbound entrance/southbound exit only.
199B199.53–199.69Adams Street, Van Buren Street, Jefferson StreetCombined access for downtown Phoenix streets.
200A—I-10 (west to Los Angeles; east to Central Phoenix)No direct southbound exit; traffic uses Exit 199B.
200B200.83McDowell Road, Van Buren Street
201201.68US 60 west, Thomas Road, Grand AvenuePartial cloverleaf interchange.
202202.86Indian School Road, VA Hospital
203203.86–203.90Camelback Road, Grand Canyon University
204204.91Bethany Home Road
205205.87Glendale Avenue
206206.88Northern Avenue
207207.93Dunlap Avenue, Glendale Community College
208208.92Peoria Avenue
209209.92Cactus Road
210210.92Thunderbird Road, Arizona State University West
211211.91Greenway Road
212212.91Bell Road
213A213.96Union Hills DriveNorthbound exit/southbound entrance only.
213B214.46Yorkshire Drive, Utopia Road
214—Loop 101 (east/west)Full directional interchange; Exit 214C northbound.
215A215.50Rose Garden Lane, Deer Valley RoadSouthbound exit/northbound entrance only.
215B215.96Deer Valley Road
217217.10Pinnacle Peak RoadPartial interchange.
218218.01Happy Valley RoadFirst diverging diamond interchange (DDI) in Arizona.
219—Jomax Road
220—Dixileta Drive
221—Loop 303 south, Sonoran Desert DriveNorthern terminus of Black Canyon Freeway segment.
222—Dove Valley Road
223223.99AZ 74 west (Carefree Highway to Wickenburg), Carefree Highway eastSplit into 223A (eastbound) and 223B (westbound); partial cloverleaf interchange.
225225.54Pioneer Road
227227.03Daisy Mountain Drive
229229.09Anthem Way
232231.45New River Road
236—Table Mesa Road
——Yavapai County lineCounty boundary crossing.
242—Rock Springs, Black Canyon CityUnsigned access point.
244—Black Canyon City, Coldwater Road
248—Bumble Bee, Crown King
—252Sunset Point Rest AreaNorthbound scenic view and rest area.
256—Badger Springs Road
259—Bloody Basin Road, Agua Fria National Monument
262—AZ 69 north (Cordes Lakes Road to Prescott)End of Black Canyon Highway segment.
263—Arcosanti Road
268—Orme Road, Dugas Road
278—AZ 169 (to Dewey-Humboldt, Prescott)
285—General Crook TrailHistoric route access.
287—AZ 260 (to AZ 89A, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome)
289—Middle Verde Road
293—McGuireville, Montezuma Castle National Monument
—296Rest AreaSouthbound rest area.
298—AZ 179 north (to Sedona)
306—Stoneman Lake Road
——Coconino County lineCounty boundary crossing.
313—Scenic ViewNorthbound overlook.
315—Rocky Park Road
317—Fox Ranch Road
320—Schnebly Hill Road
322—Munds Park, Pinewood Boulevard
326—Willard Springs Road
328—Newman Park Road
331—Kelly Canyon Road
333—Kachina Boulevard, Mountainaire Road
337—AZ 89A south (Flagstaff Airport, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon)
339—Lake Mary Road, Mormon Lake
340A—I-40 east (to Albuquerque)Northern terminus of I-17.
340B—I-40 west (to Los Angeles)
341—McConnell DriveAccess to Northern Arizona University; post-interstate exit.

Traffic and maintenance

Interstate 17 experiences varying levels of traffic volume along its route, with the highest concentrations near the Phoenix metropolitan area and progressively lower volumes in the northern rural sections. According to 2023 data from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), annual average daily traffic (AADT) reaches peaks of over 218,000 vehicles per day in segments around mile markers 201 to 202, such as between Thomas Road and Indian School Road. In contrast, northern sections near Flagstaff, including mile markers 339 to 340, record AADTs of 32,000 to 41,000 vehicles per day. Recent lane additions as part of ongoing improvements have enhanced capacity in key areas north of Phoenix. Safety concerns on I-17 are particularly pronounced in the curvy Black Canyon section, where steep grades of 5 to 7 percent contribute to elevated crash rates. ADOT's 2023 Crash Facts report indicates that rural interstates like I-17 account for a disproportionate share of severe incidents. A 2016 analysis found that the Black Canyon area experienced over 400 crashes in a 20-mile stretch during 2014-2015, resulting in 11 fatalities. Ongoing improvements, including flex lanes opened in 2023 between Way and Black Canyon City, aim to reduce crash risks in the Black Canyon section. To address these risks, ADOT has implemented measures, including real-time traffic cameras integrated into the AZ511 system since expansions around 2015, enabling rapid response to crashes and wrong-way drivers. Maintenance of I-17 involves routine practices to ensure reliability across its diverse terrain. ADOT conducts annual pavement resurfacing on high-traffic southern segments to address wear from heavy use, as demonstrated by recent rehabilitation projects between State Route 74 and Anthem Way. In the northern 20 miles approaching Flagstaff, winter operations are critical due to frequent snowfall, utilizing plows and de-icing materials to maintain passability. Vegetation control in forested areas, guided by ADOT's Roadside Vegetation Management Guidelines, focuses on preventing overgrowth that could obstruct visibility or fuel wildfires, employing integrated methods like mowing and native plantings. Economically, I-17 plays a vital role in Arizona's , carrying a significant share of the state's north-south freight as the primary corridor linking Phoenix to Flagstaff and Interstate 40. Trucks comprise 7 to 17 percent of total traffic volume, supporting commerce in natural resources and distribution, and is monitored through ADOT's Traveler Information System (AZ511) for real-time freight and delay alerts. Key maintenance challenges include mitigation in the Black Canyon, where unstable slopes pose ongoing hazards; ADOT allocates dedicated funding through its Slope Management Program, with historical annual budgets around $2 million for prevention measures like netting and stabilization.

References

  1. https://www.interstate-guide.com/i-017/
  2. https://azdot.gov/adot-blog/how-i-17-black-canyon-freeway-evolved-stage-route-modern-highway
  3. https://www.flattestroute.com/Phoenix-to-Flagstaff
  4. https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/media/2022/10/I-17_Final_Report_w_Appendices_06-30-22.pdf
  5. https://azdot.gov/blog-article/throwback-thursday-past-and-future-i-17
  6. https://www.azleg.gov/alispdfs/46leg/2R/House/SummaryComplete.pdf
  7. https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/2023-09/2022-AADT-PUBLICATION_Interstate.pdf
  8. https://azdot.gov/news/adot-i-17-speed-limit-phoenix-be-raised-65-mph
  9. https://www.sargonlawgroup.com/a-quick-guide-to-arizonas-speed-limit-laws
  10. https://azdot.gov/i-17-improvement-project
  11. https://azdot.gov/business/highway-maintenance/rest-areas/rest-area-locations
  12. https://azmag.gov/Portals/0/Documents-Ext/Transportation/2018-03-28_Spine-Corridor-Master-Plan.pdf
  13. https://www.aaroads.com/guides/i-017-az
  14. https://www.aaroads.com/guides/i-017-north-deer-valley-az
  15. https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/media/2022/05/I-17-Anthem-Way-to-Van-Buren-Map.pdf
  16. https://www.improvingi17.com/
  17. https://www.blm.gov/visit/agua-fria
  18. https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-traffic/2025/05/10/flex-lanes-introduced-on-interstate-17-between-phoenix-flagstaff/83522103007/
  19. https://mountaindirectory.com/sample/arizona.html
  20. https://azdot.gov/projects/northcentral-district-projects/i-17-willard-springs-wildlife-overpass
  21. https://azdot.gov/news/new-flex-lanes-open-i-17-munds-park
  22. https://azdot.gov/adot-blog/grand-story-old-black-canyon-highway
  23. https://www.arizonahighways.com/archive/issues/chapter/Doc.888.Chapter.3
  24. https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/2019/07/cultural_good_roads_everywhere.pdf
  25. https://www.facebook.com/AZDOT/posts/on-this-date-60-years-ago-nov-10-1964-a-dedication-ceremony-for-a-portion-of-int/862077532759751/
  26. https://wiki.aaroads.com/wiki/Arizona_State_Route_69
  27. https://azdot.gov/adot-blog/throwback-thursday-old-scenic-route
  28. https://wiki.aaroads.com/wiki/Former_state_routes_in_Arizona
  29. https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/75-years-of-i-17-in-arizona,557699
  30. https://highways.dot.gov/highway-history/interstate-system/dwight-d-eisenhower-system-interstate-and-defense-highways/part-i
  31. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/national-interstate-and-defense-highways-act
  32. https://highways.dot.gov/highway-history/interstate-system/50th-anniversary/interstate-frequently-asked-questions
  33. http://ariz17.blogspot.com/2018/12/agua-fria-bridge-tragedy.html
  34. https://azdot.gov/adot-blog/arizona-highways-honor-veterans-all-year-long
  35. https://phoenix.gov/villagessite/Documents/pdd_pz_pdf_00448.pdf
  36. https://azdot.gov/blog-article/heres-what-adot-guardrails-do-and-why-theyre-so-important
  37. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1097&context=hwi
  38. https://www.interstate-guide.com/business/ir-017/
  39. https://www.azfamily.com/2025/05/12/major-construction-project-busy-stretch-i-17-almost-complete/
  40. https://www.facebook.com/AZDOT/videos/crews-on-the-i-17-improvement-project-are-wrapping-up-bridge-work-between-anthem/3010776069100743/
  41. https://azmag.gov/Programs/Transportation/Freeways-and-Highways/I-10-I-17-Spine-Corridor-Master-Plan
  42. https://www.azgfd.com/2025/04/01/work-to-start-on-i-17-wildlife-overpass-near-flagstaff/
  43. https://azdot.gov/projects/central-district-projects/i-17-sunset-point-flagstaff
  44. https://www.deseret.com/1993/1/2/19024583/arizona-officials-seek-extension-of-i-17-into-utah/
  45. https://roads.aznate.tech/highways/i17/
  46. https://www.arizonaroads.com/interstate/i17.html
  47. https://www.aaroads.com/guides/i-017-north-camp-verde-az
  48. https://azdot.gov/blog-article/why-178-guide-interstate-exit-numbering
  49. https://apps.azdot.gov/files/highway%20safety%20improvement%20program/i17-referencemarkers.pdf
  50. https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/2023-AADT-PUBLICATION_Interstate.pdf
  51. https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/2023-Crash-Facts_0.pdf
  52. https://www.abc15.com/news/region-northern-az/other/beware-of-dangers-on-curved-section-of-i-17-over-400-crashes-in-2-years
  53. https://azdot.gov/news/i-17-thermal-camera-system-reliable-detecting-wrong-way-vehicles
  54. https://azdot.gov/resources/adot-az511
  55. https://azdot.gov/projects/central-district-projects/i17-sr74-anthem-way-pavement-rehabilitation
  56. https://azdot.gov/business/highway-maintenance/districts-highway-maintenance
  57. https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/vegetation-management-guidelines-final-signed-112724.pdf
  58. https://apps.azdot.gov/ADOTLibrary/Multimodal_Planning_Division/FiveYrPlan/Five_Year_Program-FY2013-17.pdf
  59. https://blog.azgs.arizona.edu/blog/2020-04/azgs-work-arizona-landslides-adjacent-i-17-between-black-canyon-city-and-sunset-point
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