Whether you have to commute within the Phoenix city area, or between Phoenix and other cities, this is one of the best places in the world for transport. The freeway system of Phoenix is easy to understand and navigate around, has been well designed to handle the traffic demands of a big city like Phoenix, and even has been 'rubberized' in most major areas to reduce traffic noise to residents near the freeways but also to reduce the noise on the road to the driver of the car as well.

Phoenix has advantages in location. Not only is Arizona a border state with Mexico to the south, but its roadways are mainly through desert regions making it simple, flat and fast to get from city to city by car. A drive to Los Angeles, for example, would typically take 5 hours from Phoenix. A drive to Las Vegas takes about 6 hours. A drive to Tucson is a 2 hour drive, while a drive to Santa Fe, New Mexico is about 8 hours. And with Colorado and Utah to the north, you have access to the most incredible and beautiful country and cities in the world.

If flying is more your style, you'll love Phoenix. The Sky Harbor International Airport is huge and yet easy to navigate through. Parking is designed to allow you to park covered, exit your car, walk a small distance to air conditioned buildings, elevators, etc. so that you'll get to your flight fast, with little or no 'intra-airport' problems. Sky Harbor is the home and hub to America West airlines, so travel is easy. Most major cities can be a non-stop flight from Phoenix. Even flights to London, England are often non-stop from Phoenix, as well as Honolulu, Hawaii!

Petrol prices in Arizona are traditionally cheaper than most states, and definately cheaper than its neighboring state California. Most travellers traveling betwen Arizona and Southern California will elect to fill up their tanks in Arizona due to the often 5-10% lower fuel prices here. And auto insurance is so much cheaper in Phoenix too.

Most people do carry bottled water in their cars for long, desert drives. It just makes sense to keep in mind that you are normally traveling through the arid desert regions of North America in Arizona, so it makes sense to keep water at hand. In fact its a law in the state of Arizona that if anyone asks you for water, you are obliged to give them water if you have it available. But with this desert lifestyle, surprisingly cars take less of a beating here in Phoenix. This is mainly because there is less 'stop/start' driving that you'll experience in other urban cities in North America. But still keep in mind that desert roads do tend to wear on tyres quickly so be prepared to keep your tyres in good condition here.

But if you ask any local here, you'll hear them say, "I sure don't miss the traffic in XXXXXX" (insert other city name in XXXXX) as most of them have bad memories about peak hour traffic, difficult commutes, hours and hours of time spent on the road, having to plan specific times of the day to leave for a weekend trip just to get out of town without stress, etc. But for most in Phoenix they are vague memories of days gone by now. We just don't have those problems here in Phoenix.