Anomalies relating to streets and addresses in the Phoenix metropolitan area:

• There are eleven (11) different address schemes used in the valley. Identifying where each scheme originates is not difficult but identifying where they intersect is almost impossible.
• The city name used in the situs address (mailing address) may not be the city where the property is physically located, therefore, the address scheme assumed may be incorrect.
• There are instances where a given address having identical street name, number, and direction may be found in more than one city (common street names are not uncommon).
• Another important thing to remember about street names, primarily in the older areas of the valley, relates to a common street name with a different street type. In other words, a number of streets having identical names could exist with a different suffix. An example is 74th Street, 74th Place, or 74th Way.
• In some areas of the valley the street type has been omitted from the street signs, making it difficult to find the correct street.
• For most situs addresses the direction and the street type are critical; it could make the difference as to which part of town you need to go.
• A given street or roadway may have a different name depending on the city in which it is located. For example, Scottsdale Road abruptly becomes Rural Road as you cross the Salt River in Tempe. There are many situations where conditions of this type exist.
• In a given city a street may be known by more than one name, but only one name is listed on maps and street signs.
• It is not unusual to encounter non-through streets and streets with broken segments along a given street alignment. 

Understanding the assignment of building numbers can also help finding places around town. A simple rule to remember is, EVEN-numbered addresses are located on the north and west sides of streets, while ODD-numbered addresses are situated on the south and east sides.

There are several freeways traversing the Valley. However, the only freeway in the Scottsdale is State Route (SR) 101 (Pima Freeway), which runs north to south some 15 to 16 miles. The only east/west stretch of freeway is a two-mile segment of SR 101 running from Pima Road to Scottsdale Road in the northern part of Scottsdale. There are three major arterial streets running north to south: Pima, Hayden, and Scottsdale Roads. Both Hayden and Scottsdale Roads extend from Tempe in the south to the northern part of Scottsdale. Hayden Road appears to end at Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard in the north, but starts again about three-quarters of a mile further west. Scottsdale Road on the other hand, extends all the way to Carefree several miles further north. Pima Road also runs from south Scottsdale to Carefree but has been displaced at a number of locations by SR 101.

Public transportation including Light Rail, is also available to many areas of the city, with connections to regional and express bus service providing access to the entire Phoenix metro area. There are six local routes in Scottsdale along with free trolley service accessible at various locations including Loloma Station, the city’s downtown transit center situated at 7084 East Second Street, west of Scottsdale Road at the intersection of Second Street and Marshall Way. Service is available Monday through Saturday except holidays. Call (480) 312-7656 for information. Several regional and express bus routes connect Scottsdale to the Phoenix Metro area. Scottsdale Road Route 72, the most popular route, runs seven days a week connecting Scottsdale Airpark, downtown Scottsdale, Arizona State University and Intel. It’s important to note that exact change is required for each fare and transfers are given at no charge. Call (602) 253-5000 for information about other routes throughout the Valley.

If you're not the hands-on type or are just limited on time, you can always take advantage of one of the many tours and excursions available throughout the city. From art excursions and guided hikes to horseback riding, you can let the insiders show you around town. You won't be disappointed.