The Best Arizona Road Trips: 13+ Epic Road Trips to Take

(Last Updated On: January 11, 2023)

Arizona, a state full of deserts and gorgeous scenery, contains awesome outdoor activities and sites to see. The main attraction, the Grand Canyon, is one of the world’s seven natural wonders of the world. Arizona is the 48th state admitted to the United States and the last of the contiguous states. Over a quarter of the state is made up of Indian Reservations. There are a ton of awesome things to see in Arizona. The following are some of the best Arizona road trips to take across the state.

The Best Arizona Road Trips from Phoenix

Phoenix to Las Vegas

The 7 Magic Mountains, located outside of Las Vegas. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip

By Monica from This Rare Earth

A Southwestern desert drive from Phoenix to Las Vegas might not sound like the most exciting trip one could take, and in fact, most people drive from Phoenix to Las Vegas simply to get to the wild and flashy endpoint.  But you might be surprised to learn that there are some lesser-known and underrated stops along the way that just might leave you breathless and makes it one of the best Arizona road trips. 

The straight drive from city to city is just under 5 hours and about 300 miles. However, with all of these optional stops, I recommend allowing one full day solely for the road trip, giving you plenty of time at the places which are most interesting for you. 

Stop #1:  Just outside of Payson, AZ is the mostly unknown Tonto Natural Bridge.  What makes this spot special is that most natural bridges and arches I see, they are in rocky and mountainous areas.  This bridge sits surrounded by greenery. 

Stop #2: The pre-Columbian Cliffside Montezuma Castle National Monument, in Camp Verde, AZ. This dwelling was discovered in the 1860s and many Hopi descendants can trace their ancestors to this spot. 

Stop #3: Lake Mead is situated just on the border of Arizona and Nevada.  This is the perfect spot to stop and cool down, swim, or take photographs – especially in the summer. 

Stop #4: The only man-made item on my list, the Seven Magic Mountains art installation created in the Mojave Desert in Nevada.  These tall rainbow rocks are stunning against the dry desert, and are well worth a visit! 

Phoenix to Prescott

A Victorian Style Home in Prescott, Arizona. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip

By Dee of Vanilla Papers

Prescott is less than two hours (99 miles) from Phoenix, but when you stroll the quaint downtown and the tree-lined courthouse you will feel a world away from the big city. Phoenix to Prescott is one of the best Arizona road trips.

It is also known as Arizona’s “Christmas City,” and its small boutiques, antique shops, and independent bookstore are perfect for getting your shopping done. There is also an annual parade and twinkling lights filling the Courthouse Plaza, all leaving you feeling a bit like a scene from It’s a Wonderful Life

Prescott has colorful Victorian-style homes, museums about the local history, and a Whiskey Row that includes Arizona’s oldest frontier saloon and bar -The Palace. 

Prescott gives you a glimpse of the old frontier without the cowboy cliches. It’s got a small-town feel and a community that’s kept it unique and not too commercial. Prescott is also surrounded by some stunning natural scenery. Just north of the city are the Granite Dells, which contain beautiful granite and two man-made reservoirs -Watson and Willow Lakes. 

For a fascinating stop on your way to Prescott, take a guided tour at architect Paolo Soleri’s Arcosanti, an experimental town in the middle of the desert that’s inspired generations of urban designers. 

Phoenix to Canyon de Chelly

A view of Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip

By Sam from My Flying Leap

There are a lot of fun things to do in Phoenix, and since it is the capital of Arizona and has the largest airport, it is a great starting point for one of the best Arizona road trips. If you would like to head a bit off-the-beaten-path to get a taste of Arizona history along with some incredible views, head to the northeast part of the state to Canyon de Chelly. This trip is just under 300 miles of driving and takes around five-and-a-half hours. You’ll be rewarded by one of the most beautiful canyons in the state that is off the typical tourist path.

Depending on your route, you have the opportunity to drive north of Phoenix to enjoy stops in Sedona and Flagstaff. Sedona is known for its gorgeous red-rock buttes and it’s a picturesque place to go hiking. Flagstaff is a college town with a historic downtown filled with interesting shops, great restaurants, and lively bars. You can also stop at the Petrified Forest National Park on the way from Flagstaff to Canyon de Chelly.

Then, head to the small town of Chinle, unremarkable except for its stunning neighbor, Canyon de Chelly. This canyon is located on Native American land and you are only allowed to enter with a guide with the exception of a couple of hiking trails. There are beautiful scenic drives and the permitted hiking trails are worth your time. 

There is not a lot to do here except go to the canyon. You will want to plan for at least two days—one to drive around to enjoy the views and to do the short hikes you are permitted to on your own. And the other to go into the canyon with a guide. Your reward is seeing the many Native ruins in the canyon, the stunning Spider Rock spire, and all of the gorgeous red rock. 

Phoenix to Sedona

A view of the rocks in Sedona, Arizona, a great place to start one of the best Arizona Road Trips. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip

By Michelle of The Wandering Queen

One of the best Arizona road trips to take is from Phoenix to Sedona. Sedona is one of the best hiking towns in this state. It is filled with stunning views like Cathedral Rock, Devils Bridge, and Bell Rock. You will definitely have a grand time on this road trip.

The trip starts at Phoenix Arizona and ends at Sedona Arizona. The mileage is around 120 miles. I recommend staying in Sedona for at least 3 days. There is just so much to do there! Some of my favorite things to do are Cathedral Trail, Devil’s Bridge Trail, Bear Mountain Trail, and Bell Loop Trail. Cathedral Trail is a short but very steep hike but the end of the hike has some of the most epic views. I also love Bear Mountain trail if you want an all-day hike. This trail is long but has some glorious views throughout. Bell loop is a great easy day hike to do with the whole family. You can also add in the Courthouse Loop if you want more mileage throughout the day.

One of the best places to stop in between is of course the Montezuma Castle National Monument. This cute 20 room castle shows off the architecture from centuries ago. While you can’t go inside the structure, it is a pretty cool spot to stop and take photos from afar.

Phoenix to Jerome

A view of Jerome, Arizona. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip

By Noel of Travel Photo Discovery 

An easy and best Arizona road trips that you can do is a fun day trip or overnight stay from Phoenix to Jerome in central Arizona. This road trip skirts some of the back roads through scenic countryside to the cool town of Jerome located on Black Hills of Yavapai County with stunning views of the valley and red mountains of Sedona in the background. 

Less than a hundred-mile drive from Phoenix, the drive from the metropolitan center through the beautiful landscape to Jerome, a town that prospered with copper mines that helped to boost the prominence of the town into the largest copper mine in the state. Now long-shuttered, the town is quirky and fun to explore with a variety of cool shops, restaurants, art galleries, and even new wine bars that feature local wineries from the area. An artist enclave and hub sprung up from the abandoned copper mines and turning the town into a fun tourist destination and a registered national historic district worth exploring. 

While you are visiting the town, check out the other cool places to explore nearby including Cottonwood, Prescott, Clarkdale, and on to the very popular tourist destination at Sedona. If you are visiting Sedona along the way, check out my post on the best photo-worthy places to visit in Sedona here for the top scenic places around the city with gorgeous views of the landscape. Jerome is a fun day trip from Phoenix but can be a nice multi-day experience visiting all these historic towns, Indian ruins, and other cool places of interest.

Phoenix to the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a great start to some of the best Arizona Road Trips. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip

By Nicole of American SW Obsessed

Driving from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon is a must-do road trip in Arizona.  While the drive to the Grand Canyon only takes around 3.5 hours, it is well worth taking a few days to complete this 225-mile trip and spend a few days at the Grand Canyon.

There are several stops along the way that are worth a visit.  The first is Montezuma Castle which is only 94 miles north of Phoenix.  Montezuma Castle is a 5-story structure built into a recess in a white limestone cliff about 70 feet above the ground and it consists of 20 rooms.  It is one of the most famous Native American ruins in Arizona.

Another stop along the way would be Sedona.  Visiting the red rocks of this area is well worth it.  There are several amazing hikes in this area with the most famous being Devil’s Bridge which is an easy hike that takes about an hour.

Once you arrive at the Grand Canyon, there are several stops along the South Rim you will want to see.  One of the best viewpoints is Mather Point.  It is close to the visitor center and entrance to the Grand Canyon and one of the most popular viewpoints.  You can also do the Rim Trail from the visitors center which is a paved path along the South Rim.

I recommend staying near the Grand Canyon in Tusayan, a small city about six miles away from the entrance of the Grand Canyon.  Tusayan also has a museum on the Grand Canyon and the iMax theatre.

The Best Arizona Road Trips from Sedona

Sedona to Fossil Creek

A view of a waterfall in Arizona. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip

By Jeanine Romo of Le Wild Explorer

One of the best Arizona road trips you can take is from Sedona to Fossil Creek. Start your trip in magical Sedona where you can enjoy desert landscapes and reddish-orange rock formations against the clear blue skies that will leave you in awe. From Sedona, it is about 50 miles to Fossil Creek and takes about an hour and a half. The drive itself is strenuous for smaller cars so a high-clearance vehicle is definitely recommended. Also, this area has no cellular service so plan ahead and have a printed map.

Along the way, you will pass through the city of Cottonwood. If you’re thirsty stop for wine or beer, they have a few different tasting rooms and breweries including Chateau Tumbleweed Winery, Winery 101 Cottonwood, and THAT Brewery. And if you’re hungry stop for fry bread at Yavapai Apache Fry Bread & Jewelry in Camp Verde. Here you can also shop for handmade native jewelry. 

The Fossil Creek area has some of Arizona’s best swimming holes. Fossil Creek Falls and Fossil Creek Springs are the go-to places in the area. Fossil Creek Springs is a longer hike but it has a larger waterfall and there’s are also caves and a natural whirlpool tub. The weather is generally cooler here during the day compared to Sedona so it’s a great place to cool off. And if you’re looking to chill head to Verde Hot Springs.

Permits are needed for day use from April 1st and October 1st. And camping is only permitted outside those days. So make sure to secure your reservation before heading out. If you have the option to camp stay at least two full days to give yourself time to explore. A trip from Sedona to Fossil Creek will take you from the desert to the mountains. It gives you a variety of what the beautiful state of Arizona has to offer, from stunning hikes, beautiful swimming holes, breathtaking vistas, sunrises over the mountains, and more.

Sedona to Bryce Canyon

The Desert Church in Arizona, a great stop on one of the best Arizona Road Trips. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip

By Allison Green of Eternal Arrival

If you are looking for a great introduction to road tripping the Southwest be sure to do a road trip from Sedona, Arizona to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, via Flagstaff, Page, and Kanab. You’ll see some of the most incredible things that the region is known for: slot canyons, hoodoos, and red rocks galore. This road trip is about 310 miles in length and takes 5 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. However, I recommend making it at least a 5-day road trip so that you’re best able to enjoy each destination and all the beauty at each of the 5 stops on this road trip.

You’ll start in Sedona, where you can see the beautiful red rocks for which the area is known. Don’t miss hiking one of the Sedona “vortexes”, the most beautiful being Cathedral Rock. Devil’s Bridge is also a great hiking spot in Sedona. Next up is Flagstaff, where you can try the local breweries (my favorite is Mother Road Brewing Company) and go for a hike in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. 

After Flagstaff, head to Page, where you can tick a number of places off your bucket list, such as Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell. Finally, head into Utah towards Bryce Canyon National Park via Kanab. In Kanab, you can check out the Coral Sand Dunes State Park, where there are gorgeous sand dunes with a mountain backdrop that’s a totally otherworldly place. The Toadstools hike is also great, on the way between Page and Kanab.

You will end this road trip in Bryce Canyon National Park, where you can hike the Navajo Loop or Queens Gardens and watch dawn break at Sunrise Point.

The Best Arizona Road Trips from the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon To Page

A view of Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona. Page is a great stop on one of the best Arizona Road Trips. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip

By Christine of Guide Today Trips

Arizona is one of the best places in the United States to do a road trip. With amazing national parks and cities in the middle of the desert, there are just many interesting stops for travelers in this area.

One of my favorite road trip routes is from Grand Canyon to Page, Arizona. Once you’re done exploring Grand Canyon, you can head to Page. The route is almost 217 miles and it can take between 4-4.5 hours if you drive straight. But where’s the fun in that right? So I recommend at least 2 days to do this route.

For our first stop, we spent the day in the historic city of Flagstaff only an hour and a half from Grand Canyon Village. The city is known as a student hub surrounded by amazing nature trails and pine forest. It is also known for its awesome microbreweries, green parks, and also the Museum of Northern Arizona which showcases the history and culture of Native Americans. You can spend the night here and check out the local night scene of the city.

If you still have time to explore in Flagstaff, I recommend to check out the nearby San Francisco Peaks. The area is a popular viewing spot during fall when the trees transform into an explosion of colors.

From Flagstaff, drive directly to Antelope Canyon. This slot canyon is famous for its amazing and photogenic spiral rock arches. This natural wonder has become the main tourism drawer for the Navajo Nation – a Native Indian territory. It takes around 2 hours drive but it’s all worth it.

A 15-minute drive from Antelope is the Instagrammable spot of Horseshoe Bend. This incised meander is horseshoe-shaped, thus the name, and part of the Colorado River. It has also become of the major attractions near Page and a popular day trip from Las Vegas

This route is one of the best Arizona road trips and you can cover the best spots in Arizona for a short period of time.

Grand Canyon to Moab

A view of an arch in Arches National Park. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip

By Kate of Our Escape Clause

Driving from the Grand Canyon’s popular South Rim to the popular adventure town of Moab, Utah is one of the best Arizona road trips. It may only be a 7-hour drive if you head straight through, but you will want to take a lot longer to get there. Over the course of 377 miles, this Utah/Arizona road trip covers some of the most popular places to see in the southwest USA, and it’s worth taking your time with.

Start your road trip at the Grand Canyon, where you should be sure to hike at least partially into the canyon–the South Kaibab and Bright Angel trails are both incredibly popular.

From there, drive through the national park and up north to Page, Arizona, located right on the border of Utah and home to the stunning Antelope Canyon and the incredibly photogenic Horseshoe Bend.

After you wrap up in Page, don’t head north into Utah right away–head east, and then cross the state lines at the majestic Monument Valley Tribal Park.

As you head north into Utah after visiting Monument Valley, you may want to detour west to visit the magnificent Canyonlands National Park (but you can also wait and visit as a day trip from Moab).

Once you are in Moab, not only Canyonlands National Park, but popular Arches National Park and beautiful Dead Horse Point State Park will be at your fingertips.

Despite the relatively short driving distances, we recommend spending at least 3 days on this road trip, not including the time spent in the Grand Canyon and Moab, both of which deserve at least 2 days each.

Other Best Arizona Road Trips to Take

Tucson to Mount Lemmon

A view from Mount Lemmon in Tucson, Arizona. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip

By Katie from Two Wandering Soles

While there are plenty of things to do in Tucson itself — like eat all the Mexican food, explore the craft beer scene and check out live music, just to name a few — some of the most memorable sights are outside the city limits. Saguaro National Park is an obvious one and is well worth the time. But a lesser-known spot for visitors to check out is the scenic drive to Mount Lemmon. Located in the Coronado National Forest, this is the highest peak in the Santa Catalina Mountains and feels a world away from the desert and the city.

At just 46 miles, the drive from downtown Tucson to Mount Lemmon isn’t long, but there are plenty of opportunities to stop along the way. The landscape shifts seamlessly from desert to mountains, and from cacti to pine trees. Give yourself time to stop off at viewpoints and short hiking trails along the way and to breathe in the crisp, fresh air. 

Once you reach the top of Mount Lemmon, you can visit the ski resort named after the mountain and get out to wander the tiny town of Summerhaven. Stop by the General Store for a cold drink and for a sweet treat, swing by Cookie Cabin, where you can get homemade cookies the size of your face! For a nice hike, head to the edge of town and explore the Marshall Gulch. There’s even a picnic area, making this a perfect spot to refuel while taking in the views.

This road trip is especially nice when it is hot in Tucson. Don’t forget to pack layers because as you climb in elevation, the temperatures will drop significantly, and during some parts of the year you can even find snow at the top!

While you can turn around once you reach the top and head back to town, another option is to spend the night in a cute cabin. While there’s not a ton to see around town, bring a bottle of wine and prepare to have a cozy stay that will make you swear you have been transported out of Arizona.

Flagstaff to Zion/Bryce

A view of a stream in Arizona. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip

By Alanna Koritzke of Periodic Adventures

Beginning in Flagstaff, Arizona, a great road trip is that up through northern Arizona into Page and crossing over in Utah where you can experience Zion and Bryce National Parks. This road trip showcases some of the best sights in the Southwest and is one of the best Arizona road trips you can take. In Flagstaff, visit Humphrey’s Peak for a great hike through the pines or check out Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered! Grab some delicious pesto pizza at NiMarco’s Pizza, amazing pasta at Oregano’s, a local Arizona chain, or really good Mexican food at Salsa Brava.

Your road trip to Southern Utah follows Route 89-North through Page, Arizona where you can see Horseshoe Bend and the stunning slot canyon, Antelope Canyon. You’ll pass Lake Powell, where you can go boating, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument! After 245 miles (4 hours and 30 minutes), you’ll arrive in Springdale, Utah, home to Zion National Park. Highlights of Zion include the Narrows, the Emerald Pool trail, and Angel’s Landing. To see Bryce Canyon National Park continue up Route 89-N for 84 more miles (an hour and 30 minutes from Zion) and take in the views at Bryce Amphitheater or hike the Navajo Loop trail.

I recommend taking one day for each major location minimum as there is so much to see. Here’s my recommended 4-day itinerary.

Day 1: Flagstaff, AZ

  • Spend the night in Flagstaff

Day 2: Flagstaff to Page to Springdale, UT (245 miles total)

  • Drive for 2 hours to Page and spend the day there
  • After sightseeing, drive 2 hours to Springdale, UT where you’ll spend the night

Day 3: Explore Zion National Park

Day 4: Explore Bryce National Park

Optional Day 5: return to Flagstaff (283 miles – 5 hour drive)

Los Angeles to Havasupai

A view of one of the waterfalls in Havasupai, Arizona. Havasupai is one of the best Arizona Road Trips to take. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip

By Jenny of Campsite Vibes

Havasupai in Arizona has quickly become a go-to destination for many outdoor adventure lovers. To backpack to the beautiful turquoise waterfalls, make sure to score a permit before going! You can get a permit on February 1st.

Start this trip from Los Angeles on Friday night after work. I had permits to start hiking on Saturday so I wanted to cover as much ground as possible. I camped in the Lake Mead National Recreational Area Friday night. I woke up to the beautiful sunrise and drove the rest of the way to the trailhead.

The hike down the Havasupai is 10 miles one way. I recommend getting an early start, especially in the late spring and summer months because it gets hot quickly! There is little shade on the hike down and no water so carry enough. Then you come upon the falls that are right before the campground. They’re flowing beautifully against the bright red and orange walls. The permit was for four days so I spent the weekend swimming, hiking, and exploring the several different sets of falls that make up Havasupai. Then I hiked out and drove all the way home to Los Angeles. On the way home through Arizona, there was a storm rolling in so I got to experience the beautiful Arizona landscape and lightning. It was a remarkable end to this beautiful trip.

For more information on hiking to Havasupai, check out this blog post.

Shaka Guide

Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for several of the Utah and Arizona Parks. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them.

As you can see, Arizona has some really awesome road trips to take. If you have more time, head to California for some other really spectacular road trips, or head east through New Mexico to Texas.

Arizona, the 48th state, has many awesome outdoor activities such as the Grand Canyon. The following are some of the best Arizona Road Trips to take. Phoenix, Flagstaff, Prescott, Page, and Tucson are spectacular cities to visit. Visit the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Saguaro Nation Park. Go hiking, wine tasting, relax at a resort, and more. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip #tucson #phoenix #grandcanyon #sedona #optoutdoors #desertvacation
Arizona, the 48th state, has many awesome outdoor activities such as the Grand Canyon. The following are some of the best Arizona Road Trips to take. Phoenix, Flagstaff, Prescott, Page, and Tucson are spectacular cities to visit. Visit the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Saguaro Nation Park. Go hiking, wine tasting, relax at a resort, and more. #arizona #arizonaroadtrip #USAroadtrip #tucson #phoenix #grandcanyon #sedona #optoutdoors #desertvacation

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Michele
3 years ago

This is great! We had planned to road trip Utah and Arizona in April of this year but of course that was cancelled. We are now planning to do the trip this coming spring. This information is perfect! So many good ideas here.

Chrissy K
3 years ago

I would love to take a road trip from Grand Canyon to Page. The colors there look so amazing. I still have yet to visit Horseshoe Bend. Great post. Hoping I can make some of these trips this year.

Sophia Bawany
3 years ago

The seven magic mountains have been on our “must see” list for quite some time. Sedona looks like it would be a breathtaking place to just enjoy nature. Thank you for the road trip ideas, we will save this post for our next road trip

SHANY
3 years ago

Arizona is on top of my bucket list! I can’t wait to see all of these beautiful places. Thank you so much for sharing

Josy A
3 years ago

You always find the best places to stop along your road trips Francesca! This all looks fantastic. You introduced me to some new blogs as well, thank you. 🙂

Farrah
3 years ago

Arizona is such an awesome place to explore! <3 I've seen so many photos of the Seven Magic Mountains art installation but haven't had the chance to actually go yet. Sedona is one of my favorite places + Havasupai is suuuper high up on my travel bucket list!

Taylor
Taylor
3 years ago

These are all amazing road trip ideas in Arizona! I seriously love that state so much. It’s absolutely beautiful! I will definitely be keeping this handy for when I return in the future as I want to see more of the state. 🙂

Kaylini Naidoo
3 years ago

I’ve seen the 7 magic mountain art installation all over Instagram and always wondered where that is! This is a wonderful list of ideas. Thanks so much for sharing.

Jackson
3 years ago

Hey, thank you for sharing this amazing journey from Phoenix with us. This seems like a very adventurous road trip with my Jeep Wrangler. Keep up sharing such awesome road trip destinations.

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