We went on an epic one-week road trip through Arizona, and we were amazed at how many different locations on our travel bucket list we could pack into such a short amount of time. If you’re planning your own Arizona adventure, this guide is a great starting place for building your dream vacation using our extensive research and personal experiences. Here is the ideal Arizona road trip itinerary, including things we did right and things we would change or add for next time.
The Best Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Phoenix, Arizona
We booked a morning flight into the Phoenix Airport so that we could use most of our first day exploring the city. I recommend staying two nights here before you move on to the next leg of your trip. Here are some of the coolest places to explore on your first day in town!
The Phoenix Art Museum (1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ)
The Japanese Friendship Garden (1125 N 3rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ)
Dinner at Ghost Ranch (1006 E Warner Rd, Tempe, AZ)
Dessert at Dirty Dough (1537 W Broadway Rd, Tempe, AZ)
Day 2 – Phoenix & Scottsdale, Arizona
Some of the best food and sightseeing in the Phoenix metropolitan area is located around Scottsdale. Here are the places I recommend!
Brunch at Hash Kitchen (8777 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ)
The Desert Botanical Garden (1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ)
The Phoenix Zoo (455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ)
Ice Cream at Sugar Bowl (4005 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ)
Sunset at Papago Park (625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ)
Day 3 – Sedona, Arizona
In the morning, check out of your Phoenix Airbnb or hotel and hit the road for Sedona as early as possible. This will maximize your time for hiking and enjoying the incredible red mountains!
We are definitely beginner-level hikers, so we pretty much stuck to easy yet beautiful family-friendly trails. Here’s how I recommend spending the day.
Explore Downtown Sedona (331 Forest Rd, Sedona, AZ)
Lunch at Cowboy Club Grill (241 N State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ)
Pink Jeep Tour (204 N State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ)
Hike at Red Rock Crossing (300 Red Rock Crossing Rd, Sedona, AZ)
Hike at Airport Loop Trail (538 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ)
Visit the Energy Vortex
Sunset at Sedona Airport Overlook
We drove on from Sedona up to Flagstaff within the same day on our trip, but I actually recommend staying at least one night here instead. That will allow you to see more of the area and enjoy the drive into the mountains during the daylight. It was pretty treacherous to do that particular drive in the dark, and I know we missed out on some incredible views. But we will definitely be back to do it again someday!
Day 4 – Sedona & Flagstaff, Arizona
I would recommend spending the first half of the day doing some more exploring around Sedona, then continuing on to Flagstaff in the afternoon.
Here are some of the most popular hikes in the area you could take in the morning.
Devil’s Bridge Trail (Devil’s Bridge Trailhead, Sedona, AZ)
Cathedral Rock Trail (Cathedral Rock Trailhead, 500 Back O Beyond Rd, Sedona, AZ)
Seven Sacred Pools (Soldier Pass Trail, Sedona, AZ)
After you drive the incredibly scenic route from Sedona into Flagstaff, make your way around town and visit the most famous highway in the United States.
U.S. Route 66 (1 E Rte 66, Flagstaff, AZ – There is a train station with a Route 66 mural here, and some gift shops across the street.)
If you decide to spend a little bit less of your day in Sedona, you’ll have time to visit my favorite spot near Flagstaff: Sycamore Falls! It’s the best-kept secret in Arizona. It’s located in a remote area about an hour outside of Flagstaff.
Sycamore Falls (Sycamore Canyon Trailhead, Williams, AZ)
Day 5 – The Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, & Horseshoe Bend
Now that you are staying in Flagstaff, it will become your home base as you visit each of the surrounding national parks. First you’ll drive out to The Grand Canyon, which is about 2 hours north of Flagstaff.
Grand Canyon National Park (8 South Entrance Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ)
From there, you’ll drive even further north so that you can visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in Page. We visited Arizona in the spring of 2021 when there were still some pandemic concerns for the Navajo Nation authorities, and outside visitors weren’t allowed to venture out to these sites. So these two beauties are still on our bucket list for now until we can come back and visit northern Arizona again someday!
It’s important to note that a permit and a tour guide are required to visit Antelope Canyon. Be sure to reserve those in advance.
Antelope Canyon (Navajo Tribal Park, Page, AZ)
Horseshoe Bend (Parking lot and trailhead located on US Highway 89, approx 5 miles south of the Carl Hayden Visitor Center.)
Day 6 – The Painted Desert & The Meteor Crater
You’ll use your second full day staying in Flagstaff to drive 2 hours east to the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. Optionally, you can stop on the way back at the site of a massive meteor crater. When you get back, you will spend your last night in Flagstaff.
Petrified Forest National Park (Entrance Between between I-40 and Highway 180)
Meteor Crater (Interstate 40, Exit, 233, Winslow, AZ)
Day 7 – The Superstition Mountains
The next morning, you’ll leave Flagstaff and drive back down to the Phoenix area. You’ll spend your last full day in Arizona visiting the Superstition Mountains. Eat some prickly pear BBQ and prickly pear gelato for lunch at the Superstition Saloon in Tortilla Flat. Then ride the Dolly Steamboat around Canyon Lake.
Superstition Saloon (1 Main Street, Tortilla Flat, AZ)
Dolly Steamboat (16802 AZ-88, Apache Junction, AZ)
Day 8 – Fly Home from Phoenix
Spend your last few hours in town grabbing a bite to eat or mural hunting around the city. Fly back home from Phoenix, and enjoy looking at all of the amazing pictures you took!
Tips for Planning an Arizona Road Trip
After we returned from our Arizona road trip, Austin and I agreed that it was one of our favorite vacations we have ever taken as a couple. There was so much natural beauty around every corner in Arizona, and we hope to visit again someday and see even more of this incredible state.
If you’re planning your own Arizona road trip, check out these blog posts with more helpful ideas!
The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip
Arizona Road Trip Packing List
Grand Canyon National Park Guide
Petrified Forest National Park Guide
X Fun Things to Do in Phoenix, AZ
X Fun Things to Do in Sedona, AZ
If you want to learn more details about some of our favorite trips, check out our Blog. If you’re looking for more travel inspo and photography, follow along on our Instagram page.