Phoenix primary highways include I-10, I-17, US 60, Loop 101 also called the Pima Freeway, Loop 202 also known as the Santan Freeway, SR 51 also called the Black Canyon Freeway, Loop 303, and SR 143 also known as Arizona Highway. Key arterial streets include Camelback, Indian School Road, Thomas Road, Bell Road, Baseline Road, 7th Street, and 19th Avenue. The total number of roadway miles in the Phoenix urbanized area is 15,962, including 291 miles of freeway.

Freeways account for 42.6 percent of daily vehicle miles driven, with an average of 132,958 vehicles per day using each segment of the freeway network across the metropolitan area. More than 40 percent of total vehicle trips that use the freeway system each day are attributed to the I-10 and I-17 arteries.

According to crash data collected from MAG’s regional system from 2018 to 2022, the intersections that have the highest crash frequency in Phoenix are as follows: 67th Avenue and McDowell Road has 229 crashes; 51st Avenue and Camelback Road has 174 crashes; 67th Avenue and Thomas Road has 128 crashes; and 19th Avenue and Peoria Avenue has 105 crashes. Cave Creek Road and Sweetwater Avenue also continues to appear on recently published lists of worst intersections in the Valley.

MAG recognizes that this ranking also combines multiple factors, such as the total number of crashes, crash severity, and crash type, such as rear end collisions, therefore creating a more comprehensive assessment of intersection safety as opposed to solely utilizing crash frequency to determine priorities for work that improves safety at intersections throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.

A rough mathematical estimate of 500 used vehicles sold each day in Phoenix is likely accurate based on Cox Automotive’s estimate of 37.4 million total used vehicle sales for 2024, scaled to the City of Phoenix 2024 population of about 1,673,164. Based on that, Phoenix has an estimated 183,000 total used vehicle sales in 2024, or about 500 per day. This calculation assumes that the proportion of Phoenix population to the United States is about the same as the share of used vehicles sold. Actual sales vary based on several factors, including where people commute from for work, the density of dealerships, and current vehicle turnover.

People living in Phoenix without a vehicle are generally dependent on Valley Metro bus service, the light rail system, walking, biking, other ride hailing options, and ADA Dial a Ride service if eligible. According to the City of Phoenix, 86 percent of all citizens reside within 0.5 mile of a transit stop, and transit infrastructure improvements are included in the City of Phoenix transportation plan with funding for new sidewalks, bike lanes, and other accessibility projects.

In 2025, Valley Metro provides 40.3 million total trips across all 3 modes of transit. Public transportation is the major component of the car free movement within the City of Phoenix.

The harsh climate in Phoenix can severely damage cars due to harsh sunshine, extreme temperatures, excessive amounts of dust in the air, and overheated asphalt roads. These extreme heat conditions hasten the failure of batteries by breaking down the oils and antifreeze at a quicker rate, drying out rubber hoses and seals, fading the paint of vehicles, cracking the dashboards in their interiors, and placing a great deal of strain on the car’s air conditioning units.

Asphalt that is heated to extreme temperatures increases the temperature of a tire and thus reduces the life of the tire while also creating the potential for a blowout. According to AAA, high heat reduces the life span of a battery, and pavement can reach temperatures above 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The NHTSA recommends checking your fluids, belts, hoses, and tire pressure regularly as a preventive measure.

Phoenix has more expensive auto insurance rates than neighboring Mesa and Scottsdale, and is either slightly less expensive or about the same price as the rates in Glendale. The current average for a full coverage auto insurance policy in Phoenix is $204 per month, whereas local rates for Mesa and Scottsdale are $160 and $158 per month, respectively, while Glendale has a full coverage policy at $205 per month.

Across the country, full coverage auto insurance averages anywhere from $173 to $181 per month, which means Phoenix is priced well above the U.S. average yet aligns closely with other East Valley cities and the statewide average rate for drivers in Arizona.

Annual data on traffic citations in Phoenix is not neatly published in one city specific summary, yet the best available information shows that speeding is by far the most common traffic offense. The most common civil traffic violations in Arizona limited jurisdiction courts involving residents are speeding, insurance, registration, running red lights, driving without a valid driver’s license, and failing to wear a seat belt.

Speed related crashes account for 22 percent of people killed or seriously injured in Phoenix. These are the reasons speeding is the most frequently used method of enforcement and safety in Phoenix today overall locally.