Distance From Phoenix To Flagstaff

The Phoenix to Sedona drive may just be ane of the prettiest in the globe. If you're lucky enough to be making the expedition and its your start visit, y'all're in for a pleasant surprise.

The drive is but ii brusque hours, but yous'll be met with some of the almost stunning desert landscapes yous've ever seen.

While the iconic ruby rock formations steal the bear witness as yous near the outskirts of Sedona, in that location is nevertheless plenty to encounter along the way.

If you're up for a picayune adventure on your Phoenix to Sedona road trip, you don't want to miss the stops below.

Having been to both Phoenix and Sedona dozens of times over the past several years, I'thousand excited to share my favorite stops with yous.

I promised a Phoenix to Sedona road trip is one y'all won't presently forget.

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The Ultimate Phoenix to Sedona Route Trip Itinerary
Phoenix to Sedona Drive
Stop 1: Phoenix
Stop ii: Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Stop 3: Black Coulee City
Finish 4: Agua Fria National Monument
Stop 5: Montezuma Castle National Monument
Stop 6: Tonto Natural Bridge Land Park
Stop seven: Jerome
Stop 8: Tuzigoot National Monument
Terminate 9: Verde Valley Wine Trail
Final Destination: Sedona

The Ultimate Phoenix to Sedona Road Trip Itinerary

AirBnB Scottsdale Arizona — Photo by Thomas de Wever at iStock

This Phoenix to Sedona drive makes for ane of the all-time road trips in the country.

There are not many places in the earth where you lot tin become from a lively and cosmopolitan city like Phoenix, then be surrounded past breathtaking landscapes like those of Sedona in just a few short hours.

Honestly I make this drive every year and it never gets sometime.

The Red Stone Scenic byway runs along Arizona Country Route 179 up to Sedona and it's my favorite stretch of highway in the unabridged globe. I'm pretty sure you're going to love it too.

Without farther ado, allow's get to exploring my favorite places between Sedona and Phoenix.

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Phoenix to Sedona Drive

Sedona is located nearly 2 hours north of Phoenix if you drive straight without stopping. From Phoenix airport to Sedona the bulldoze is also almost 2 hours.

Sky Harbor International Airport is just about x minutes from downtown Phoenix by car.

If you make all 10 stops listed beneath on this day trip itinerary, the bulldoze itself will take almost 6 hours but I hope the stops are worth it.

If one of these stops doesn't audio fun to you, just skip it. In my stance, I would not skip Montezuma Castle National Monument or Jerome. These are my favorite stops and you lot'll apace see why in one case you visit.

While Jerome is a little out of the way, it's definitely worth it. Jerome is awesome, you lot'll see.

If you lot don't take a car or merely don't desire to drive, y'all can experience this same trip on a guided day trip to Sedona. This is a full day tour that includes pick upward and drop off from your hotel.

While there is no railroad train from Phoenix to Sedona, you could Uber from Phoenix to Sedona if you but don't want to bulldoze or take a guided bout.

You lot tin can await an Uber from Phoenix to Sedona to toll around $200, but delight don't forget to tip your driver.

Drive time Phoenix to Sedona

The drive time from Phoenix to Sedona is 2 hours without stops.

Finish 1: Phoenix

Since you're starting out in Phoenix, I'll assume you've already had some time to savor the city.

Nevertheless, if you lot're looking for things to do in Phoenix don't miss the Wrigley Mansion, the Heard Museum, Japanese Friendship Garden, or the local hikes and wine tasting.

If you're looking for a unique guided tour in Phoenix, here are a few Phoenix area tours to become you started. Those of you looking for picayune adventure or wanting to gloat a special occasion should consider a sunrise hot air airship ride.

Y'all tin can't shell the views from a hot air balloon over Arizona.

Later on you've finished exploring Phoenix, plan to go an early start on your Phoenix to Sedona route trip. You've got lots to see.

Phoenix to Lake Pleasant Regional Park altitude: 46 minutes / 42 miles

Stop 2: Lake Pleasant Regional Park

Phoenix AZ to Sedona AZ road trip - Lake Pleasant — Photograph by Canva

Lake Pleasant is a big public park just north of Phoenix. It's most 45 minutes due north of downtown off Interstate 17.

I recommend a short stop at Lake Pleasant considering its a beautiful park, simply also because its a cracking opportunity to arrive a little do before your road trip. The park has several trails and walking paths for yous to choose from.

For those looking to stick around and savor the park for a while, you lot can also relish boating, fishing, swimming, and even SCUBA diving. There are too places to military camp or have a picnic.

Go far early on to avoid the oestrus and the crowds.

Time for stop: 1 hour

Lake Pleasant Regional Park to Black Canyon City distance: 35 minutes / xxx miles

Cease three: Blackness Canyon City

Black Canyon Arizona — Daniel Kammer / iStock

Black Coulee City is a one-time Quondam Westward town from the 1800s located near 40 minutes north of Lake Pleasant. It'south a good stop if you're looking to grab something to eat or take a quick break from the road.

If you've got your mountain bike with you, consider checking out the Black Canyon Trail. This is an 80 plus mile mountain biking trail running through the sonoran desert. The trail is a former road used past Native American travelers and traders.

To be completely honest, I visited Black Canyon City on my recent bulldoze from Phoenix to Sedona and wasn't all that impressed. I did spot a cow eating grass on the edge of the road though, which was the highlight of my drive through the town.

Time for stop: 15 minutes if just driving through.

Black Canyon City to Agua Fria National Monument distance: eighteen minutes / thirteen miles

Stop 4: Agua Fria National Monument

Agua Fria National Monument - Sedona to Phoenix road trip — Photo past Canva

Agua Fria National Monument is a large nature preserve covering 113 square miles. Visitors to Agua Fria can see over 450 Native American structures including large pueblos and petroglyphs.

Agua Fria is also dwelling house to two mesas and the Agua Fria river and coulee. The preserve is home to an abundance of wild fauna incuding bobcats, coyotes, mule deer, javelina, and a whole bunch of other small critters, reptiles and birds.

At Agua Fria you tin enjoy hiking, biking, line-fishing, and horseback riding. There are also camping ground and picnic spots available.

Agua Fria is located off Interstate 17 virtually 20 minutes north of Black Canyon City.

Time for stop: 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Agua Fria National Monument to Montezuma Castle National Monument altitude: 36 minutes / 36 miles

End 5: Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle National Monument - Sedona az to phoenix az road trip stops — Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle National Monument was one of my favorite stops on the mode upwardly to Sedona. Visitors to the monument can view pre-Colombian cliffside dwellings built into a limestone cliff (pictured above).

The dwellings date back to 1100 to 1425 AD. The main dwelling shown above was five stories with 45 to 60 rooms. Even more than impressive is that information technology was constructed over the course of three centuries.

There is also a gift shop and several exhibits located in the visitor center where you can larn more nearly Montezuma Castle and the people who lived there. Short guided tours are also available.

Montezuma Castle is located off Interstate 17 near 45 minutes north of Agua Fria National Monument.

Time for terminate: thirty minutes

Montezuma Castle national monument to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park distance: 1 60 minutes/ 53 miles

Stop 6: Tonto Natural Span Country Park

If you have actress time to spare on your scenic drive from Phoenix to Sedona, consider making the one 60 minutes detour over to Tonto Natural Span State Park.

Tonto Natural Bridge Country Park is located near Payson Arizona and is reported to exist home to the earth'south largest natural travertine bridge.

For those wondering, a natural travertine bridge is one formed naturally from the area's iconic red rock. This particular span stands 183 feet high over a 400 ft long tunnel.

In addition to the Natural Bridge this park is also home to three hiking trails and a picnic area. There is also plenty of opportunity for spotting local wildlife.

Time for terminate: 1 hour

Tonto Natural Span State Park to Jerome distance: 90 minutes / 73 miles

Stop 7: Jerome

I said information technology before and I'll say information technology again. Jerome is awesome.

The town of Jerome is famous for being designated the largest ghost town in America. It was also a roaring copper mining town in the 1920s and 1930s. Unfortunately, due to decreased need for copper, the Phelps Dodge Mine airtight in 1953, taking most of the city's jobs along with it.

Today, Jerome is a cute hillside tourist town home to musicians, artists, and store owners. Visitors volition enjoy exploring the minor downtown where you can discover boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants, and confined.

if y'all'd like to know more about what I'd recommend for your time in Jerome, check out my post on the Best Things to do in Jerome Arizona.

Earlier yous leave, be sure to finish at the haunted Jerome Grand Hotel. You can't miss it, the famous hotel sits at the very elevation of the hill. Ghost tours are available to hotel guests, inquire in advance.

Jerome is located 45 minutes west of Montezuma Castle National Monument. If you'd like a guided tour around the urban center you can find one here.

Time for stop: 1 hour

Jerome to Tuzigoot National Monument distance: 15 minutes / 7 miles

Stop 8: Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument is the location of a former Pueblo that was home to the Sinagua people.

Visitors to Tuzigoot National Monument can explore the remnants of the quondam Pueblo, walk along the Tavasci Marsh, and visit the Tuzigoot Museum.

Inside the Tuzigoot Museum y'all tin can learn virtually the lives of the sinagua people, how the Pueblo was built, and what their lives might have been similar during the time they lived at the Pueblo.

Fourth dimension for stop: one hour

Tuzigoot National Monument to Verde Valley altitude: 15 minutes / 6 miles

Stop nine: Verde Valley Wine Trail

Verde Valley Wine Trail road trips — Photograph by Canva

For your vino tasting pleasure, the Verde Valley Vino Trail is located xx minutes east of Jerome in Cottonwood.

Make your way to Main Street in Old Boondocks Cottonwood and you'll be walking altitude to all vi wineries and tasting rooms located in town. Vino tasting has never been easier, seriously.

Hither is a list of the six wineries y'all'll discover in Cottonwood.

Burning Tree Cellars
Arizona Stronghold
Pillsbury Wine Company
Winery 101
Fire Mount Wines: This one may exist permanently closed. Volition update here presently.
Merkin Wineyards Osteria

I haven't been to these wineries simply did visit Page Springs Cellars, which is a flake closer to Sedona and loved it.

But, if I were visiting agian, I would hitting up 2 to iii of the wineries at the top of this listing based on what looks cool when I walk past (Yeah, I'm suggesting you pick a winery based on how it looks from the outside. I'm not a somelier over here so I aim for ambiance.)

So, I would visit Merkin Vineyards Osteria last because I'm a sucker for accurate Italian. Plus, it would be a good idea to soak upward all that wine before driving into Sedona.

Time for end: 1 60 minutes (or as much time as you demand).

Verde Valley Wine Trail to Sedona altitude: 25 minutes / nineteen miles

Final Destination: Sedona

After you've finished up on the Verde Valley Wine Trail, make your way to your concluding destination in Sedona. One time you're settled in, in that location are a million means to enjoy a solar day in Sedona.

If this is your first visit don't miss Chapel of the Holy Cross, Bong Rock, Cathedral Stone Trail, Slide Rock State Park, Oak Creek Canyon, or the pink jeep tours.

Chapel of the Holy Cross is an active Roman Catholic chapel, so be sure to exist respectful if services or wedding ceremonies are in progress.

My personal favorite stops are Bong Rock and Oak Creek Canyon. Bong Rock is perfect for an early on morning time hike or to bask stargazing tardily at nighttime. Bring your camera to go pictures of those beautiful red rocks.

Oak Creek Canyon is sort of a mini Grand Canyon (very mini), but its incredibly beautiful.

If you lot'd like a guided tour of Sedona you can find one here.

Sedona is about 20 minutes northeast of Cottonwood.

I hope you've found this Phoenix to Sedona Road Trip Itinerary useful in planning a trip of your own. If you'd like to support this blog please consider sharing this post. As e'er, thanks for reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the drive from Phoenix to Sedona safety? Yes, I plant it to be very condom. Interstate 17 is a pretty direct shot up to Sedona, and so the drive is not complicated.
Is the drive from Phoenix to Sedona scary? No, non really. The highway is a little windy as it goes through some hills merely for the about role the road is directly and flat.
Can I rent a car? Yes, you tin can make a Phoenix to Sedona auto rental reservation and pick upward your motorcar from the airport.
How can I go to Sedona without a car? From the airport in that location is a Phoenix to Sedona shuttle service. Advanced reservations are required.
What is the distance from Phoenix to Sedona? 117 miles, or about 2 hours.
What is the distance from Phoenix to Flagstaff? 144 miles, or about ii hours x minutes.
Can you lot fly from Phonix to Sedona? Yes. If you lot're rich, you lot can lease a small-scale airplane and wing to Sedona. I have no idea how much this costs.

If you have whatsoever other questions, head over to my contact folio and ship me a message.