| State: | AZ |
| Type: | SR |
| Route: | 73 |
| Map Custom: | yes |
| Map Notes: | SR highlighted in red |
| Tourist: | White River Scenic Road[1] |
| Length Mi: | 46.79 |
| Established: | September 9, 1927 |
| Direction A: | South |
| Terminus A: | east of Carrizo |
| Direction B: | North |
| Terminus B: | south of Pinetop-Lakeside |
| Counties: | Navajo, Gila |
| Previous Type: | SR |
| Previous Route: | 72 |
| Next Type: | SR |
| Next Route: | 74 |
State Route 73, also known as SR 73, is a U-shaped state highway, though it is signed north–south, primarily serving the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in eastern Arizona. SR 73 begins at a junction with the U.S. Route 60 / State Route 77 concurrency near Carrizo, travels southeast to Fort Apache and Whiteriver, then bends north-northeast until intersecting State Route 260 near the Hon-Dah Resort Casino.
Apart from its termini, the current SR 73 intersects no other US or state routes.
The clockwise (southern) terminus of SR 73 is located at a junction with US 60 southwest of Show Low. From this intersection, the highway heads southeast within the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. It passes through Cedar Creek and curves towards the east before passing through Canyon Day. Continuing towards the east, it reaches Fort Apache, where it turns towards the northeast. It continues to the northeast on to Whiteriver, where it begins to head towards more of a northerly direction. It continues north through the Fort Apache Indian Reservation until it reaches its counterclockwise (northern) terminus at a junction with SR 260 east of McNary.
SR 73 was designated on September 9, 1927 as one of the original state routes, running from US 180 in San Carlos (then known as Rice) to a junction with a county road at McNary.[2] In 1929, it was extended northeast along existing county roads to U.S. Route 70 (US 70, now US 60) at Springerville. At the same time, SR 73 was extended southwest from Rice to Cutter, taking over the old route of US 180 between Rice and Cutter. This was due to US 180 being re-routed to the southwest, over the Coolidge Dam.[3] By 1939, SR 73 had been removed between Cutter and McNary, after being bypassed and replaced by the newly completed US 60 between Springerville and Globe, via Show Low.[4] In 1972, portions were transferred to SR 260.