Bicycling through Arizona is not an easy task, but if you do it in sections, it’s not as bad as it seems. Starting from Yuma AZ and traveling to Phoenix is a decent ride for long distance biking enthusiasts. It is relatively calm and the great distance makes it somewhat challenging. The route is not too difficult and yet there are some mountains to cross and some steady inclines.
To start your trip, a good location would be Barnes and Noble, just off of Business 8 or 32nd Street in Yuma. It’s easy going through Yuma about 3 miles to S. Araby Rd. where you’ll go one mile north to Hwy 95 and just before the Ordnance Proving Ground (that noise you’ll hear is the sound of Freedom) you’ll make a turn onto the right onto East County Third Street. You will follow the main paved highway, zigzagging every half to two miles on roads such as E. Forth Street, S. 18th Ave E, E. County Sixth, S. 19th Ave. E, E Seventh County, S. 20th Ave E, S. Ave 20 E and finally reaches Old Hwy 80 also known as Los Angeles Ave.
Take Old Hwy 80 20 miles to S 45 East and head north 5 miles to East County Second 1 mile, then turn left onto Palmas Road. . Palmas becomes W. Hyder Rd. for one mile and you will turn left onto S. 555 Avenue, yes that is a Phoenix area numbered street. Follow that all the way about 5 miles, turn a half mile to the right and turn left onto the only paved road there is to West Agua Caliente for 28 miles of pure hell, but scenic beauty.
Then turn left on Old Hwy 80 again six miles to South Palo Verde Rd. North one mile to Baseline Rd. turn left and go six more miles, turn diagonally and become Main Street then turn again straight ahead and you will be in the City of Goodyear. A good resting point is the Starbucks across I-10 on Litchfield Road, 3 miles north. When you’re done resting, take McDowell East 25 miles through Phoenix to North Scottsdale Road and then 15 miles to Scottsdale. There are many good pick up points there. Rest and get some sleep. Well done, I’ll continue my Trek Across America to Globe and then onto Hwy 60.