It primarily serves as a shortcut between Prescott and the major roads going to California as there are no towns located on the route other than at the ends of the highway.

After crossing from Maricopa County into Yavapai County, SR 71 then heads northeastward into a desert area, continuing for several miles in a straight direction through the Mojave Desert.

While heading northeast, the route meets U.S. Route 93, at the diamond interchange forming the intersection called the Joshua Tree Forest Parkway of Arizona.

[2] SR 71 then enters into the town of Congress, which is littered with several small houses.

[6] This previous incarnation of SR 71 had existed since 1927 and was part of the original state highway system introduced by the Arizona State Highway Commission on 9 September 1927.