THE 18 BEST Road Trips from Phoenix
Phoenix is surrounded by some of the most dramatic landscapes in America. The Grand Canyon is 4 hours north, Sedona is 2 hours up I-17, the California coast is a day's drive west, and the Utah national parks are a day north through the Navajo Nation.
I've driven from Phoenix to the California coast, been up through the Rockies, and across the US-93 to Vegas - this guide is everything I've learned about which routes to take and what to watch out for.
Read this before driving out of Phoenix
🗺️ Driving Through the Navajo Nation
Routes north to Monument Valley, Moab, and Page cross the Navajo Nation - gas stations can be 50+ miles apart and cell service drops out for long stretches. Arizona doesn't observe daylight saving time but the Navajo Nation does, so your clock shifts an hour at the border. Fill up whenever you can and download your maps offline before you leave.
🚗 The I-17 Friday Crush
Every road trip north - Sedona, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon - starts on I-17. On Friday afternoons, half of Phoenix tries to escape the heat at the same time. The two-lane stretch between Black Canyon City and Camp Verde becomes a parking lot. Leave before noon or after 7pm, or your 2-hour drive to Sedona becomes 4.
🏔️ The Elevation Swing
Phoenix sits at 1,100 feet. Flagstaff is at 7,000 and the Grand Canyon rim is over 7,000. You can leave Phoenix in 110°F heat and arrive somewhere that drops below freezing at night - on the same day. Pack layers even in summer, and don't assume desert means hot everywhere.
Top Road Trip Destinations From Phoenix
🚗 230 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 40 minutes
The Grand Canyon is less than 4 hours north of Phoenix - straight up I-17 to Flagstaff, then Highway 64 west to the South Rim. Plan for extra time on the return via the Eastern Entrance - there are many amazing overlooks and places to stop along Desert View Drive.
💡 Beat the Vegas Crowds: Phoenix is a full hour closer to the Grand Canyon than Las Vegas, and most of the big tour buses come from Vegas. Leave Phoenix early in the morning and you can have the rim viewpoints mostly to yourself before the tour groups start arriving mid-morning.
🚗 120 miles ⏱️ 2 hours
Sedona is only 2 hours north on I-17 and it's the easiest weekend trip from Phoenix. The red rock formations are the draw - Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Devil's Bridge are all short hikes with views that more than justify the drive.
💡 The Trailhead Parking Trap: Popular trailheads like Cathedral Rock and Soldier Pass close their parking lots Thursday through Sunday, and the others fill up early. Use the free Sedona Shuttle park-and-ride lots instead - they drop you right at the start of the major trails.
🚗 400 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 30 minutes
Zion's canyon walls rise 2,000 feet on both sides and you can hike through the river at the bottom. Bryce Canyon is 90 minutes further east - thousands of red rock spires you can walk down into. The two parks combine naturally into one trip.
💡 Angels Landing Permits: The most famous hike in Zion requires a permit - enter the lottery 2-5 months ahead. If you don't get one, there's a day-before lottery each day you're in the park.
🚗 400 miles ⏱️ 7 hours
Monument Valley's iconic sandstone buttes make it a photographer's paradise. Here, you can explore the desert landscape as far as the eye can see and learn more about Navajo culture while doing so.
En route to Monument Valley, you can also explore Flagstaff and admire the stunning landscapes of the Grand Canyon.
🚗 300 miles ⏱️ 5 hours
Vegas is about 5 hours northwest on US-93. The drive is very straight-forward, although a bit boring through empty desert, but arriving with your own car is an advantage - Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, and Death Valley are all easy day trips you can take before hitting the town in the evening.
Stop at Nothing Most people drive straight through a place called Nothing, Arizona, but this is probably the favorite photo I've ever taken in the United States. A giant retro sign saying "Nothing" above you and your car with a desert backdrop is worth a stop.
🚗 470 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 30 minutes
Moab is the basecamp for Arches and Canyonlands National Parks - two parks, plus the Colorado River, mountain biking, and off-road trails all within 30 minutes of town. The drive north from Phoenix crosses the Navajo Nation and the landscape shifts from desert scrub to red rock canyon country.
💡 Arrive Early for Arches: Arches dropped its timed-entry system for 2026 but the park still fills up fast. Gates can close as early as 9am on busy days and the best trailhead parking goes before that. Plan to be at the entrance before 8am or you risk being turned away.
7. Page & Lake Powell
🚗 275 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 30 minutes
Page is about 4.5 hours north of Phoenix via Flagstaff and it packs more into a small area than almost anywhere in Arizona. Horseshoe Bend is a short walk from the parking lot - the Colorado River does a 180-degree turn 1,000 feet below you in a near-perfect horseshoe. Antelope Canyon's slot canyons are minutes away, and Lake Powell stretches out behind the dam with hundreds of miles of shoreline.
💡 Book Antelope Canyon Early: You can't visit Antelope Canyon without a guided tour as it's on Navajo land and independent access isn't allowed. Tours sell out weeks ahead in peak season, especially for Upper Antelope Canyon. Book as early as you can and don't assume you'll get a walk-up slot.
🚗 420 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 30 minutes
If you're looking for a beachy getaway, San Diego is the spot. With gorgeous beaches, a world-famous zoo, and the lively Gaslamp Quarter, you can unwind, explore, and enjoy some top-notch food and nightlife.
Instead of driving directly to San Diego, we recommend spending more time on this trip to also visit Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park.
🚗 400 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 40 minutes
Visit the hottest, driest and lowest national park in the country! Death Valley is home to dramatic landscapes of sand dunes, salt flats, and colorful rock formations that will leave you awe-struck.
En route to Death Valley, you can learn about the Route 66 legacy of Kingman and then try your luck at the tables in Las Vegas.
🚗 240 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 20 minutes
See the quirky, twisted Joshua trees and rugged rock formations close up in Joshua Tree National Park, which is also an amazing place to visit for camping and star-gazing.
This drive into California will first take you to the eerier landscapes of the Salton Sea before you reach Joshua Tree National Park.
🚗 370 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 30 minutes
For a change of pace, take a road trip to Los Angeles, where you can walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit iconic museums, and experience the booming culinary scene of this sprawling metropolis.
As you make your way to the beautiful Pacific Coast, you can also make stops at Joshua Tree National Park and glamorous Palm Springs.
12. Flagstaff
🚗 145 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 15 minutes
Flagstaff is 2 hours north and 6,000 feet up - the closest thing to an escape from Phoenix heat without leaving the state. The historic downtown runs along old Route 66 with good restaurants and breweries. In winter, Arizona Snowbowl is the closest skiing to Phoenix. In summer, it's a base for hiking among ponderosa pines instead of cacti.
💡 It Snows Here: Flagstaff gets more annual snowfall than most cities in Colorado. If you're driving up from Phoenix in winter, you can leave in 70°F sunshine and hit a blizzard 90 minutes later. Check I-17 conditions before you leave and carry chains if there's any forecast of snow.
🚗 530 miles ⏱️ 8 hours
Santa Fe's unique blend of Native American, Spanish, and Anglo cultures makes it a fascinating place to visit for any curious mind. Here you can see Pueblo-style architecture, colorful artisan crafts, and delicious cuisine.
En route, you can relax at Pinetop-Lakeside and spend some time exploring Albuquerque.
🚗 270 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 20 minutes
Palm Springs is famous for its stylish mid-century modern architecture, luxurious resorts and poolside fun. It's a perfect spot for some R&R, with great golf courses and hiking trails too.
On the way, don't forget to add the amazing Joshua Tree National Park to your itinerary, this is a must-see on this route.
🚗 670 miles ⏱️ 11 hours, 20 minutes
Yosemite National Park is home to the magical landscape of giant sequoias, towering waterfalls, and iconic granite cliffs. It's a nature lover's paradise with endless opportunities for hiking and rock climbing.
This drive to Yosemite will take you past the glitzy Los Angeles and Mammoth Lakes before you reach your destination.
🚗 775 miles ⏱️ 12 hours, 10 minutes
San Francisco is the perfect blend of coastal beauty and some iconic sighs like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. It is also home to the Fisherman's Wharf and a fantastic farm-to-fork food scene.
Some of the great cities you can stop by and explore on this drive are Palm Springs and Bakersfield.
🚗 510 miles ⏱️ 8 hours, 45 minutes
Nestled in a beautiful box canyon, Telluride is famous for its ski slopes and historic charm. It's a great spot for winter sports and summer hiking, with a lively festival scene to boot.
On the way, you can also visit red rock scene of Sedona, stop by Flagstaff and make a much-recommended detour to the Grand Canyon.
🚗 830 miles ⏱️ 15 hours, 50 minutes
With a stunning mountain backdrop and historic Temple Square, Salt Lake City is a great place for history buffs and outdoor lovers, with activities like skiing and hiking.
Some of the incredible places you can explore on this drive include Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park.
🚗 700 miles ⏱️ 10 hours, 20 minutes
Albuquerque is home to a famous hot air balloon festival, and there is so much more to discover. Here, you can also explore Old Town, sample local cuisine, and enjoy the beautiful Sandia Mountains.
This road trip will take you past great new places you can discover, such as Tucson and then El Paso in the South.
🚗 115 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 50 minutes
Tucson is surrounded by stunning desert landscapes and is home to the University of Arizona, so you can expect to find a hip and young atmosphere. Admire the saguaro cacti that dot the scenery and enjoy a laid-back getaway.
This short drive will take you past Picacho Peak State Park and Saguaro National Park before reaching Tucson.
If you want something bigger, check out my guide to cross-country road trips from Phoenix - including routes to Austin, Dallas, Yellowstone, and Seattle.
Sasha Yanshin – Founder & Lead Driver
Sasha Yanshin has spent the last 15+ years mapping and driving thousands of miles across Europe and the US. As the Founder and Lead Driver of Lazytrips, he brings an analytical approach to road-tripping, sharing meticulously tested routes, realistic drive times, and the hard-earned logistical reality of the open road.
Read full bio