[3] It is one of the few roadways to cross the Agua Fria River in the northwestern part of the metro area, providing a vital link between the growing suburb of Surprise with Phoenix.

[4] The road is named for farmer Harvey Bell, who, together with James Shea, formed in 1916 the Paradise Verde Irrigation District.

West of the Beardsley Canal, the roadway curves around the White Tank Mountain Regional Park, becoming the Sun Valley Parkway.

[2] In this area of Scottsdale, a non-contiguous segment of Bell Road approximately 3.7 miles (6.0 km) long exists north of Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard, including an intersection with the Pima Freeway (Loop 101).

Prominent locations on or near Bell Road include Scottsdale Airport, Turf Paradise Race Course, Arrowhead Towne Center and the Peoria Sports Complex.