In selected issues, destinations in the Southwest outside of Arizona have been featured, including Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah.

In the mid-1960s, there were reports that Arizona Highways had been designated as "subversive literature", despite being non-political, and subsequently banned by the authorities of various countries in the Eastern Bloc, including East Germany and the Soviet Union.

Beginning in the 1950s, the December issue became known as "Arizona's Christmas card to the world" as it was for many years the only issue of the year produced in full color, allowing for many dramatic and awe-inspiring color shots of the Arizona landscape, from the desert regions of the central and southern portions of the state to the snow-covered pine forests of Flagstaff and other northern areas.

Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Jack Dykinga has been a frequent contributor, as has been Jerry Jacka, known for not only landscapes but for his photos of the historic and contemporary art (and people) of Arizona's Native American communities.

Today, Arizona Highways' monthly circulation surpasses 200,000 copies, with readers in 50 U.S. states and in two-thirds of the world's countries.