Interstate 40 Arizona
Interstate 40 has a much simpler tale than that of Interstate 10 to the south. Interstate 40 enters Arizona in Topock, along the Colorado River, and follows the AT&SF (now BNSF) railroad tracks almost all the way across Arizona.
After meeting Arizona 95 (with which the freeway is silently multiplexed from the Colorado River), Interstate 40 turns north to head up through Yucca (a railroad siding) to reach Kingman, the largest town in northwestern Arizona and childhood home of Andy Devine.
Interstate 40 turns east, multiplexed with US 93, to strike out towards Seligman and Ash Fork. Both towns are railroad towns, but Seligman today is more successful than Ash Fork, primarily because of increased tourism. Beyond Ash Fork, Interstate 40 climbs over Ash Fork hill and around the San Francisco Peaks to reach Williams, entering into the high pine forests of Northern Arizona.
Heading east from Williams, another railroad town and the gateway to the Grand Canyon, Interstate 40 reaches Flagstaff, situated at the base of Humphreys Peak, the tallest point in Arizona. Flagstaff is the most important city in Northern Arizona, home to Northern Arizona University and the Lowell Observatory.
Passing Flagstaff, Interstate 40 continues east to Winona via Walnut Canyon National Monument, then leaves the pine forests behind as it heads toward Meteor Crater and Winslow. Winslow, like many other towns along Interstate 40, owes it's existence to the railroad, but is now more famous because of the Eagles. "Standin' On A Corner" park was dedicated in 1998.
Leaving Winslow, Interstate 40 passes through the high grasslands of Northeastern Arizona, passing through Joseph City and Holbrook. After leaving Holbrook, Interstate 40 passes through Petrified Forest National Park and meets US 191 before leaving Arizona.
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