U.S. Route 89 - A Brief History

A Brief History

Prior to 1992, the southern terminus of U.S. 89 was at Nogales, Arizona, and the highway proceeded to Flagstaff, Arizona, along what is now Interstate 19, Arizona State Route 79, U.S. Route 60, U.S. Route 93, and Arizona State Route 89. In addition, there was another U.S. 89A in Arizona between Prescott, Ariz., and Flagstaff on which is now Arizona State Route 89A.

In Central Arizona, the need for a north-south U.S. Highway was largely superseded by the completion of Interstate 17, which now carries the bulk of the traffic and all of the heavy trucks along this north-south corridor. Interstate 17 connects Interstate 40 in Flagstaff with Interstate 10 in Phoenix, along a very hilly route that also passes through the Verde Valley.