Last Updated on July 30, 2023 by Kristin
It’s hard not to find something to love in Phoenix, Arizona, a sprawling city set against a stunning backdrop of desert and mountains. Phoenix combines some of the best restaurants and shopping the Southwest has to offer along with unique outdoor activities. Visitors can hike Camelback Mountain for spectacular views of the city and be ready for dinner at one of Scottsdale’s chic restaurants in just a few hours. Along with all the fun things to do within city limits, Phoenix is also an excellent gateway for some of the best road trips in the entire country. Here are the best road trips from Phoenix.
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Fabulous Road Trips from Phoenix
Tucson, Arizona
115 miles/1 hr. 45 mins.
Hop on I-10 E and explore Tucson, Arizona’s second-largest city in the Sonoran Desert. One must stop is Saguaro National Park, which contains the largest cacti in the country. Tucson also has a variety of cultural attractions including the Pima Air & Space Museum, Trail Dust Town and the San Xavier del Bac mission.
Sedona, Arizona
116 miles/2 hr.
One of the most scenic routes in Arizona is up to the desert city of Sedona. With its breathtaking red cliff rock formations, Sedona is all about taking a moment to appreciate nature. The city is close to the trails of Red Rock State Park and natural waterslide in Slide Rock State Park. Sedona’s downtown is home to boutique hotels, art galleries, artisanal markets and restaurants with views of the surrounding canyons. >> Recommended hotels in Sedona
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
229 miles/3 hr. 40 mins.
The most well-known natural attraction in Arizona — and perhaps the entire country — is the expansive Grand Canyon. Head up I-17 and follow the signs for the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park. Most visitors enter the park through the South Rim entrance, which is closer to Phoenix. However, there is also a longer route to the North Rim of the canyon that takes about six hours and features a scenic drive. Due to its higher elevation, this area closes for the winter. The North Rim is usually open between mid-May and mid-October each year. On the way to the Grand Canyon, stop in Flagstaff and the small city of Williams, home to the Route 66 Museum.
Petrified Forest National Park via Route 66
256 miles/3 hr. 50 mins.
This Route 66 road trip takes you through a good chunk of Arizona to the Petrified Forest National Park in the northeastern part of the state. The park features unique petrified wood and sweeping views of the Painted Desert. While overnight stays are not allowed in the park itself, the nearby town of Holbrook features several hotels. Note that this is the longer, scenic route that passes through Flagstaff and cuts east on Route 66, arguably the holy grail of U.S. road trips.
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Las Vegas, NV
300 miles/4 hr. 45 mins
There may be no better way to prepare for a road trip to Vegas than to sit back and savor the quiet of Arizona’s desolate desert roads. The road between Phoenix and Las Vegas on US-93 is pretty barren, with the exception of one key destination — the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River between Arizona and Nevada. But the real fun happens once you arrive in Vegas. Besides casinos, Vegas is also home to world-class shows, exquisite fine dining and the vintage charm of Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. >> Recommended hotels in Las Vegas
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