Day Trips from Phoenix
Red-rock Sedona in two hours, the Grand Canyon's South Rim in three and a half — Phoenix is the launch pad for Arizona's greatest landscapes.
Phoenix sits within easy driving distance of some of the most spectacular scenery in the Southwest. Sedona's red-rock country is roughly two hours north up I-17, and the Grand Canyon's South Rim is about three and a half to four hours away.
Sedona is the classic Valley day trip: vortex-energy red rocks, the chapel built into the cliffs, art galleries in Tlaquepaque, and trailheads everywhere. It's an easy round-trip in a single day, though many turn it into an overnight.
The Grand Canyon's South Rim is a longer haul but unforgettable, and you can string together stops along the way — Montezuma Castle near Camp Verde sits right off I-17, while the high country and pines of Flagstaff and historic Route 66 in Williams are on the I-40 leg as you head north.
Common questions
Sedona or Grand Canyon for one day?
If you only have one day, Sedona is the easier pick — two hours each way leaves plenty of time to hike and explore. The Grand Canyon is doable as a long day (7-8 hours of driving round-trip) but is better as an overnight.
When should I go?
Spring and fall are ideal everywhere. In summer, escaping the Valley heat is the whole point — Sedona is cooler, and Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon's high elevation can be 25-30°F cooler than Phoenix. Watch for winter snow and road closures up north.
What does the Grand Canyon cost?
Grand Canyon National Park charges $35 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. Get there early — South Rim parking and shuttle lines fill up by mid-morning in peak season.
Any can't-miss stops near Sedona?
The Chapel of the Holy Cross, Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock trailheads, the Tlaquepaque arts village, and the scenic drive up Oak Creek Canyon (SR 89A) toward Flagstaff. Slide Rock State Park is a great natural-waterslide stop in warm months.
