Arizona driving guide

Whether you’re visiting The Copper State for business or pleasure, it’s important to understand the rules of the road for a comfortable and enjoyable drive.

In this guide, you’ll learn the legal driving age and safety requirements in Arizona as well as the speed limit in the Grand Canyon State.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between Arizona and other states
• Driving conditions

Quick rules of the road

• You should always yield to any vehicle already at an intersection, or about to enter one in front of you. If you arrive at the same time as another vehicle, yield to the car on your right
• You must turn your headlights on when visibility is reduced to 500 feet ahead and whenever there is snow or ice
• It’s illegal to text or talk on a cell phone while driving in Arizona – unless the device is in hands-free mode

Speed limits in Arizona

Before you set off on your travels, you should get to grips with the speed limit in Arizona. It’s important to be aware that this can differ depending on the type of road you’re driving on. For example, a rural highway limit will differ from a residential speed limit in Arizona.

Toll roads in Arizona

Arizona is one of 18 states in the US that does not have toll roads. So, you won’t need to allocate any extra cash to pay highway tolls or endure any extra charges from your car rental company for using toll roads.

Driving ages and license requirements in Arizona

• The minimum driving age in Arizona is 16 years old, but there are certain restrictions. It is possible to start learning as young as 15 and 6 months under specific conditions.
• The minimum age to rent a car with Hertz in Arizona is 20.
• To rent a car, you may need to meet certain criteria, like having a driving license for at least a year.

If you’re looking to rent a car under the age of 25, check out our guide for young rental drivers.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Arizona

In your vehicle, you must have:

• Your driving license
• Proof of insurance – this may be needed during traffic stops in Arizona.

For guidelines on what you cannot carry in your car in Arizona, please check your rental agreement.

Arizona speed violations, infractions and penalties

You’re at risk of receiving a criminal speeding violation in Arizona if you:

• Exceed the posted speed limit by over 20mph
• Exceed 45mph in a business or residential area if no speed is posted
• Exceed 35mph near a school zone.

Criminal speeding could result in:

• Up to 30 days in jail
• A $500 fine (plus surcharge)
• Up to a year of probation
• Up to three points on your driving license.

Driving with children in Arizona

Arizona’s car seat requirements for children depend on the age and size of the child. It’s important to follow the correct rules to keep your younger passengers safe while you travel through the state.

• If your child is under five years of age – they must be restrained in an age and weight-appropriate child restraint system. This can be forward-facing or rear-facing, or a booster seat, if it meets federal safety regulations.
• If your child is between five and eight years old – and under 4ft 9, they must be in a restraint. If they are taller than this, they must use a seat belt.
• If your child is eight years old – it’s legal to use a seat belt but, depending on how small your child is, a booster seat may be safer.

If you don’t comply with child restraint laws, you could be fined $50 or $10 per person for seat belt violations.

Gas prices in Arizona

The average gas price in Arizona is $4.31 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Ford Focus, that’s about $0.11 per mile.
• For a larger family car like a Nissan Pathfinder, it works out at $0.15 per mile.
• For a large SUV like a GMC Yukon, it’s around $0.23 per mile.

Gas price figures last updated October 28, 2022.

Electric car charging in Arizona

There are more than 730 public electric charging points in Arizona. Thanks to the increasing number of electric cars on the road, finding a charging location in Arizona shouldn’t be a problem.

The more populated the area, the more charging stations there are likely to be. If you’re planning to take your Arizona road trip off the beaten track, make sure you’re charged up beforehand.

Driving between Arizona and other states

Looking to explore further afield? Arizona borders Utah to the north, Colorado to the northeast and New Mexico to the east – you can travel between these states with ease in your Hertz car rental. Just let us know you would like to drop-off your rental at a different Hertz location when booking.

While Arizona also borders the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California, you’re unable to cross the Mexican border in your Hertz rental car.

Driving conditions in Arizona

Arizona is an arid state – so it’s dry with very little rain. Arizona has an average of 300 days of warm weather and blue skies, but the weather varies dramatically based on the area of the state you’re visiting.

In Phoenix, temperatures range from lows of 8°F in the winter to highs of 40°F in the summer.