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14 April 2025
In our day-to-day hustle, it’s easy to overlook the beauty surrounding us while on the road. Arizona’s cities are surrounded by incredible landscapes such as the Sonoran Desert, the Sedona monuments, and Flagstaff’s trees and mountains. Still, it’s sometimes too easy to forget the daily beauty we have the opportunity to enjoy. It’s beneficial to remember that Arizona’s commutes can be far more than just a means of getting from point A to point B while trying to avoid traffic.
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According to a recent survey by Quantrell Volvo, which surveyed over 3,000 commuters, several Arizona routes earned recognition for their scenic beauty and enjoyable driving experience. Here are the top Arizona commutes that made the list:
While Arizona commutes offer great views and enjoyable drives, the traffic in the Phoenix metro area can sometimes be less than ideal. If you’re commuting through Phoenix, it’s helpful to know when traffic is at its peak to avoid frustration and long delays.
Rush Hour in Phoenix According to the director of transportation technologies and services at the Maricopa Association of Governments, Phoenix sees its heaviest traffic during two key periods each day:
The peak hour during both rush periods tends to be from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., especially during weekdays.
According to data from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), most crashes in Phoenix happen between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., just before the busiest rush hour. Motorcycle crashes peak between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., while fatal accidents are most likely between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
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Arizona’s desert landscapes offer some of the country’s most beautiful and unique commutes. However, it’s essential to know when the roads will be busiest to make the most of your commute. By doing your best to plan your drive around the peak rush hours, you can avoid frustrating delays and enjoy a smoother ride on Arizona’s beautiful highways.
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Tucson is taking a bold new step to support its most vulnerable residents. The city has announced plans to create its first city-sanctioned outdoor sleep area, named Star Village, aimed at providing unhoused Tucsonans with a safe place to sleep at night. advertisement A New Approach to Homelessness For many people living on Tucson’s streets, “home” is constantly shifting. Park clear-outs, law enforcement patrols, severe weather, or conflicts can force unhoused residents to move frequently. City officials hope Star Village will provide not just shelter but stability, a stepping stone toward permanent housing. “This was a really bold step,” said
Living in Arizona means accepting a fundamental truth: as one desert dweller puts it, “everything in the desert hates you.” The Sonoran Desert’s plant life seems designed to leave its mark on anyone who dares to venture too close. But what happens when these prickly cactus encounters become unavoidable, and how do you deal with the aftermath? advertisement The Reality of Arizona’s Cactus Encounters Jumping Cholla Despite its name, jumping cholla doesn’t actually jump. However, its segments are so loosely attached and the barbed spines so effective at grabbing onto anything that brushes against them, it certainly seems like an
When it comes to historical facts, Arizona is known for its Wild West days. However, Arizona holds a treasure trove of fascinating stories. Let’s dive into some of the coolest historical facts about Arizona that you may not know. advertisement 1. Phoenix Was Almost Named “Pumpkinville.” (Sort of) In the mid-1800s, when settlers first arrived in Phoenix, they found fields of pumpkins growing where the Hohokam Native tribes had once established an intricate system of canals. These canals had been built to irrigate crops, and when settlers came across them, they were impressed by the thriving agriculture in the region.
The “Wild West” period, often romanticized in literature and films, spanned only around 30 years, from roughly 1865 to 1895. This era is usually portrayed as chaotic, lawless, and filled with gunfights, cattle rustlers, and prospectors. But what made this period so unique and distinct from earlier years of westward expansion? Was it truly more wild than the decades that preceded it? And why does the end of the Civil War in 1865 seem to mark a significant turning point in this legendary chapter of American history? advertisement The Pre-Wild West: Westward Expansion Before 1865 Before the Civil War, the
