Scottsdale has the resorts, the restaurants and the Old Town nightlife. What visitors often miss is that the roads just outside the city, through saguaro-covered foothills and past dramatic mountain ranges, are some of the best driving in Arizona.
If you are renting an exotic car in Scottsdale, here are the routes worth building your day around.
Carefree Highway (AZ-74)
Carefree Highway is a favorite for good reason. It offers long, flowing curves through the Sonoran Desert with views of the Bradshaw Mountains, and traffic stays light, especially on weekday mornings.
Make it a loop
A popular way to do it is to head up through Carefree and Cave Creek, then return via Scottsdale Road. The eastern end near Carefree and Cave Creek adds some tighter terrain as the road climbs into the foothills, which gives a Ferrari or McLaren a bit more to do than the open straights.
Best time to go
Sunrise and early morning. The light is soft, the temperature is manageable and the road is at its quietest.
The Fountain Hills Loop
If you want something more relaxed, a loop that runs north on Scottsdale Road, out toward Cave Creek and Carefree, and back through Fountain Hills is an easy and scenic desert drive. It is a good choice for a first exotic rental, because it rewards a calm pace and takes in plenty of scenery.
Where to stop
Carefree and Cave Creek both make good stops for coffee or lunch, with plenty of space to park and photograph the car.
The Apache Trail
The Apache Trail (State Route 88) is the adventurous option. It is a historic route through the Superstition Mountains, passing landmarks like Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flat, with sections that climb through steep canyon terrain and offer big viewpoints. It runs about 42 miles one way from Apache Junction to Roosevelt Dam.
Check the route first
This is a rugged road, and not every stretch suits every car. If the Apache Trail is on your list, tell the Supercar Experience team in Scottsdale before you book so they can help you choose the right car and plan the route.
Pick the Right Car for the Desert
Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren: the obvious picks for open highway and foothill curves.
Porsche: an easy-to-drive option that is just as good on a long day as a short one.
Rolls-Royce or G-Wagon: well suited to groups, or to a more relaxed day when you care about comfort and views over lap times.
Match the Drive to Your Rental Block
Supercar Experience rents by the 3-hour block, the 5-hour block or the full day:
3-hour block: a Carefree Highway run from Old Town Scottsdale with a coffee stop.
5-hour block: the full Carefree, Cave Creek and Fountain Hills loop at a relaxed pace.
Full day: a bigger route such as the Apache Trail, with time for the stops and photos along the way.
Desert Driving Basics
Start early. Arizona heat builds fast, and the roads are best before the day warms up.
Carry water and keep the fuel tank topped up before you head out of town.
Take your time on the foothill curves; the scenery is the point.
Scottsdale is easy to enjoy from a patio. From behind the wheel of an exotic, it is even better.
