Best Road Trips From Phoenix

🚗 225 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 30 minutes

There are only a few places on earth as awe-inspiring as the majestic Grand Canyon. A bucket list destination for its jaw-dropping views and epic hikes, the Grand Canyon is perfect for any adventurer.

Not only your destination but the drive itself is incredibly scenic, with beautiful Sedona and Flagstaff just off the route.

🚗 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.

🚗 120 miles ⏱️ 2 hours

You might recognize Sedona's stunning red rock scenery from postcards or movies—it is just stunning! Whether you're hiking, taking a jeep tour, or browsing art galleries, there's plenty to keep you busy here.

As you make your way to Sedona, you will get to make a detour to Agua Fria National Monument and drive on the Red Rock Scenic Byway.

🚗 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.

🚗 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.

🚗 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.

🚗 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.

🚗 560 miles ⏱️ 11 hours

Bryce Canyon is known for its crimson-colored hoodoos and beautiful starry night skies. It's a hiker's dream with colorful rock formations that make every trail an adventure.

This epic drive will take you through Grand Canyon, and you will get to make detours to Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and Zion National Park.

🚗 345 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 40 minutes

If you are looking for an all-day and all-night kind of excitement, Las Vegas is the place to be. With world-famous casinos, amazing shows featuring celebrities, and luxury shopping, the fun never ends in Sin City.

On the way to Las Vegas, we recommend booking a short getaway at Lake Havasu if you have the time.

🚗 600 miles ⏱️ 10 hours, 30 minutes

Zion's dramatic cliffs and stunning canyons offer some of the best hiking around. It's perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking for both easy walks and challenging hikes.

A few amazing places you can visit on this drive include Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

🚗 550 miles ⏱️ 9 hours

If you are an adventurer, a photographer or a nature-lover, Moab is an amazing place to visit from Phoenix. Think red rock landscapes, mountain biking, off-roading, and awesome hiking trails.

Instead of driving directly to Moab, we recommend making stops at Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks to make the best of your road trip.

🚗 460 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 45 minutes

Near Moab, Canyonlands National Park's dramatic desert landscape is carved by the Colorado River, offering amazing hikes, camping spots, and off-road adventures.

On the way, you can also visit Flagstaff to see the Lowell Observatory and explore Bears Ears National Monument.

🚗 480 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 50 minutes

Another natural wonder near Moab, Arches National Park is breathtaking with over 2,000 stunning natural arches. Don't miss the iconic Delicate Arch and enjoy some fantastic hiking.

If you have a little more time, you can add the Grand Canyon to your itinerary but even following this route directly, you will see amazing places like Bears Ears National Monument.

🚗 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.

🚗 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.

🚗 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.

🚗 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.

🚗 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.

🚗 115 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 50 minutes

Tuscon 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.

🚗 195 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 30 minutes

Lake Havasu is all about fun on the water. Known for its transplanted London Bridge (parts of it coming from the UK), it's a great spot for boating, fishing, and simply relaxing by the lake.

If you have time, you can also visit the cute towns of Quartzsite and Parker as well as Cattail Cove State Park en route.

🚗 265 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 15 minutes

Salton Sea was once a thriving resort area, but has been long abandoned today. This unique landscape, a reminder of its golden years, is perfect if you are looking for unique photo ops and to learn more about ecology.

This drive is dotted with beautiful scenery, such as the landscapes of Kofa National Wildlife Refuge and Cibola National Wildlife Refuge.

🚗 310 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 15 minutes

This majestic monument boasts stunning geological formations and is surrounded by beautiful landscapes. It's perfect for hiking, exploring slot canyons, and snapping incredible photos.

On the way, you can make a detour to Sedona to admire the stunning landscape, visit Flagstaff and spend some time at the majestic Grand Canyon.