Tips on driving in Phoenix?

[Northstar]

Will be flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor at 11:00 pm, renting a car, driving to hotel near airport. Next day maybe driving to Heard Museum and then heading for the Apache trail. Oh, and then a week later, will be driving back to the airport from Tucson.

So how is driving in Phoenix? Is signage good for out-of-town drivers trying to find their way? When is the traffic worst? Any roads to avoid? How crazy are the drivers?

I've driven in Boston, New York, and Orlando, but a big city in the Southwest is entirely new to me.

Clue me in and I promise not to drive like a gawking tourist!

 

[Jedana]

Avoid I-17 and I-10 during rush hour.

I always preferred driving the loops (101 and 202), even if it took me a bit out of the way or a bit longer. Seemed safer.

People drive absolutely insane there. If it rains, they will either slow down to 10 MPH or speed up to 75+.

 

[dudspizza]

I found driving in PHX wasn't bad at all. I had to drive from a car rental location "near" the airport all the way out to Sun City. I also drove the Apache trail and all over. Wasn't tough at all.

As far as the car rental goes, I found it to be WAY cheaper renting off of the airport. We stayed at the Marriott just north of the airport. I then rented from Avis at a Sears location. The airport tacks on a ton of fees.... I must have saved 70-80 bucks by renting off site..... I actually walked the mile from the hotel to pick up the car. It was very easy.

Duds

 

[Northstar]

Thanks, guys! That doesn't sound too scary.

I'll look into renting the car outside the airport. Looks like all the nearby hotels have airport shuttles, so maybe I could walk to a rental place. But I'll need to get back to the airport after dropping my car on the return, so I might have to bite the bullet and pay for the convenience of renting right at the airport.