When I originally planned and packed for our Arizona road trip, I assumed the weather in most of the state would be pretty similar to the desert surrounding Phoenix: sunny and warm. But to my surprise, it actually snowed during our trip in Sedona, Flagstaff, and even inside the Grand Canyon! Thankfully we had plenty of clothes to layer up, but it taught me to expect a lot more variety in the climate when road tripping here.
I put together this Arizona road trip packing list to give new visitors a starting point on planning the most essential items they’ll need to appreciate the whole state of Arizona and make the most of their trip. Here’s everything I brought with me, and a few things I wished I had!
Arizona Packing List – Clothes
Sun Dresses
This is definitely a personal preference, but I find dresses and skirts to be so much less hot and more comfortable to wear on a sunny day than pants or even shorts. Plus, you’ll look cute in your vacation pictures!
Examples:
Women’s 2024 Summer Floral Mini Dress
Loemes Summer Casual Cute Floral Flowy Square Neck Sundress
MakeMeChic Women’s Summer Boho Dress
Maxi Skirts
Long and flowy skirts can be even more versatile than sundresses because you can pair them with multiple different tops without ever really getting them dirty. Re-wearing a piece of clothing on multiple days of your trip can help you save lots of luggage space for other items.
Examples:
Happy Sailed Womens Floral Print Boho Maxi Skirt
EARKOHA Womens Casual High Waist Tiered Paisley Print Long Maxi Skirt
Women’s 2024 Bohemian Floral Printed Maxi Skirt
Sun Hat
Keep the sun off of your face and look cute all at once! I particularly like to take pictures from behind while gazing out at a striking view when I’m wearing a cool hat. Just remember to leave your hat outside of your suitcase while traveling so it doesn’t get squashed.
Examples:
Funky Junque Cowboy Hats for Women
Wide Brim Straw Roll-Up Sun Hat
Sunglasses
Since you’ll probably be spending most of your time in Arizona outdoors, a great pair of sunglasses is key.
Examples:
Retro Round Polarized Sunglasses
Square Polarized Sunglasses for Women
Hiking Boots
Bring a pair of hiking boots for any treks you want to take around Sedona, The Grand Canyon, The Petrified Forest, and beyond! You can certainly invest in brand name boots if you are a serious, frequent hiker. But as a casual user, I’ve had great luck with hiking boots I’ve found on Amazon!
Examples:
Waterproof Hiking Boots for Women
Lugz Women’s Grotto Lace Up Hiking Boots
Lightweight Winter Coat
This might seem like a contradiction when you’re packing sundresses and sun hats. But when we got 6 inches of snow very suddenly in Flagstaff, I was really kicking myself for only bringing along one sweatshirt and a light jacket! (I still played in the snow anyway.) If you’re planning to be in the mountains at all, bring at least a light coat along with you to block the wind and waterproof your clothes from potential wintry weather.
Examples:
Women’s Cropped Puffer Jacket Lightweight Floral Print
Amazon Essentials Women’s Lightweight Water-Resistant Hooded Puffer Coat
Layering T-Shirts
A couple of light long sleeve t-shirts are always a great idea to give yourself plenty of different layering options. You can wear them with a simple pair of jeans in mild weather, roll up your sleeves if it gets warmer, or quickly layer with a sweater or jacket if it gets chilly.
Examples:
Women’s Turtleneck Long Sleeve Shirt
Women’s Ribbed Long Sleeve Crewneck
Cozy Sweater
Bring at least one cozy sweater or sweatshirt to wear in colder climates or around your Airbnb if it gets chilly at night.
Examples:
High Neck Balloon Long Sleeve Sweater
Women’s Turtleneck Oversized Sweater
Athletic Leggings
Moisture-wicking athletic leggings were great for layering underneath my dresses or jeans, lounging around our Air BnB, or traveling on the plane.
Examples:
High Waisted Leggings for Women
Thick High Waist Yoga Pants with Pockets
Colorful Scarves
I like to dress up plain t-shirts and make them a little bit more fun and interesting by adding a patterned scarf on top. They keep your neck warm, make your outfit more fun, and take up almost no space in your suitcase!
Examples:
Lightweight Scarves for Women Elegant Floral Pattern
Jacquard Paisley Pattern Pashmina Scarf
Thick Knitted Crew Socks
Make sure to bring a couple pairs of long, thick socks to use with your hiking boots.
Examples:
Soft Thick Warm Crew Winter Socks
Women’s Pretty Vintage Wool Socks
Tennis Shoes
Some cute sneakers will come in handy when you’re walking around in the cities.
Examples:
Nike Women’s Roshe One Running Shoes
Adidas Women’s Grand Court 2.0 Tennis Shoe
Arizona Packing List – Toiletries
The Necessities
Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, makeup, etc.
Sunscreen
Make sure to protect your skin from the dry heat and bright sunshine.
Hand Sanitizer
There are so many people (and germs) moving through airports and tourist destinations, so do yourself a favor and sanitize as frequently as possible! I love the mini pocket-sized hand sanitizers that I can drop into my purse or clip onto a backpack.
Examples:
Champagne Toast PocketBac Hand Sanitizers
Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Gel Infused with Essential Oils
Lotion
The climate in Arizona is much drier than what I’m used to in Dallas, and by the end of our trip my hands were looking and feeling rough. Make sure you have plenty of soothing lotion.
Examples:
Dahlia Daily Nourishing Body Lotion
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Moisturizer
Same reason as above, but for your face.
Examples:
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Arizona Packing List – Extras
Backpack
I have invested in a few different colors of the Fjällräven Kanken, and I love this bag. The weight is distributed so perfectly, it doesn’t even feel like I’m wearing a backpack most of the time.
You can also find a similar options at a variety of price points to stay budget-friendly!
Examples:
MATEIN Expandable Travel Backpack
Reusable Water Bottle
Since the climate is so dry and the altitude can cause fatigue, it’s really easy to get dehydrated. Make sure to carry a water bottle around with you.
Examples:
Hyeta 32oz Water Bottle with Straw
20 Oz Borosilicate Glass Water Bottle with Bamboo Lid
Backup Battery
Since you’ll be taking so many photos and using your phone to navigate, it’s a good idea to have an external battery handy to recharge on the go.
Examples:
Ultra Slim Built in Cables Power Bank
VEGER Mini Portable Charger for iPhone
Snacks
We bought some granola bars, trail mix, and other snacks when we arrived in Phoenix. It helped to have some extra food hand in the car throughout our adventures.
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.
If you’re planning your own Arizona road trip, check out these blog posts with more helpful ideas!
The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip
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.