Salt River Canyon, often called Arizona's other grand canyon, sits about one hundred thirty miles east of downtown Phoenix, and the drive between the Valley and the canyon overlooks runs roughly three hours door to viewpoint in normal traffic. The connection is US-60 east, the Superstition Freeway, through Apache Junction and Florence Junction to Superior, then on through Globe and Miami as the highway drops into the canyon's winding descent. Read more about Phoenix to Prescott shuttle. It is the classic eastern-Arizona road trip, carrying photographers, White Mountains-bound travelers...

Roosevelt Lake, the largest lake entirely within Arizona, sits about ninety-five miles northeast of downtown Phoenix, and the drive between the Valley and the marina runs roughly two and a half hours door to shoreline in normal traffic. The connection is Loop 202 east to State Route 87, the Beeline Highway, north past Fountain Hills and through the Mazatzal foothills, then State Route 188 east past Punkin Center and Tonto Basin to the lake. Read more about Gilbert to Phoenix shuttle service. It is the Valley's big-water escape, carrying boaters towing rigs, anglers chasing bass and crappie,...