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Trip from Casa Grande, AZ to Sedona, AZ

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 10m

Distance

163.8 mi

264 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
2h 58m ★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 34m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Pinal County, Arizona, United States

Casa Grande, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

city in Yavapai and Coconino counties in Arizona, United States

Sedona, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Planning a trip from Casa Grande, AZ, to Sedona, AZ? This 163.8-mile journey takes approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day adventure. You'll navigate primarily on local roads and state routes, with a 0% highway share, suggesting a more direct, turn-heavy local experience. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $33. Given the relatively short duration and local road profile, this route is ideal for a leisurely day trip, allowing you flexibility in your schedule. Both your origin and destination are within the Desert Southwest region, so expect consistent arid landscapes throughout your drive.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

81.9 miles from Casa Grande, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway 50.2 mi 50m
Black Canyon Freeway 41.3 mi 45m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway 23.2 mi 23m
Maricopa Freeway 16.2 mi 18m
Red Rock Scenic Byway 14.5 mi 25m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway 8.9 mi 9m
North Pinal Avenue 7.9 mi 13m
State Route 387 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Arizona Veterans Highway — 50.2 mi, about 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Casa Grande, AZ and Sedona, AZ.

1

Start on AZ 287

33 ft · 7 sec · West Gila Bend Highway
2

Turn left onto AZ 387

7.9 mi · 13 min · North Pinal Avenue
Use the left lane.
3

Continue on AZ 387

0.5 mi · 46 sec · State Route 387
4

Continue on AZ 387

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 20 sec
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto I 10

23 mi · 23 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 10

12 mi · 13 min · Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto US 60

4.2 mi · 4 min · Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on I 17; US 60

41 mi · 45 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 17

8.9 mi · 9 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 17

13 mi · 13 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 17

37 mi · 36 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
13

Take the exit onto AZ 179

0.2 mi · 26 sec · AZ 179
Exit 298 Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
14

Turn left onto AZ 179

7.1 mi · 10 min · Red Rock Scenic Byway
15

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

111 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
16

Continue on AZ 179

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
17

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

92 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
18

Continue on AZ 179

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
19

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

105 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
20

Continue on AZ 179

0.6 mi · 1 min · Red Rock Scenic Byway
21

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

103 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
22

Continue on AZ 179

3.1 mi · 6 min · Red Rock Scenic Byway
23

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

93 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
24

Continue on AZ 179

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
25

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

68 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
26

Continue on AZ 179

1.4 mi · 3 min · Red Rock Scenic Byway
27

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

73 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
28

Continue on AZ 179

0.6 mi · 1 min · Red Rock Scenic Byway
29

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

104 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
30

Continue on AZ 179

0.5 mi · 58 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
31

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

135 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
32

Continue on AZ 179

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
33

Enter roundabout onto AZ 89A

17 ft · 0 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
34

Continue on AZ 89A

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
35

Turn right onto AZ 89A

329 ft · 11 sec · North State Route 89A
36

Enter roundabout onto AZ 89A

207 ft · 3 sec · North State Route 89A
37

Arrive at destination

AZ 89A

Trip Plan

For this 163.8-mile drive to Sedona, consider an early morning departure from Casa Grande to maximize your daylight hours and enjoy a more relaxed pace. Since the trip is only about 3 hours and 10 minutes and has a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, you won't need to split it overnight, offering you flexibility to stop as needed. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, plan your refueling stops accordingly, though this short distance makes it unlikely you'll need more than one fill-up. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the numerous turns on local roads require active navigation.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 81.9 miles from Casa Grande, AZ, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.2 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 36 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 81.9 miles or 1h 34m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sedona, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Casa Grande, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Casa Grande, AZ

This is one driving day of about 163.8 miles and 3h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Casa Grande, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 50.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

census-designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New River, AZ

82 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Tempe, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New River, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.9 miles from Casa Grande, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Rainforest Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 35.1

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14807529100

Visit website

Otro Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 58.5

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+16022660831

Visit website

Sedona Heritage Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 163.8

Sedona, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+19282827038

Visit website

Arizona Science Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 46.8

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+16027162000

Visit website

Dorrance DOME

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 46.8

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

Enchanted Island Amusement Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 46.8

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+16022541200

Visit website

Out of Africa Wildlife Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 140.4

Camp Verde, Arizona

Hours: 9:30 am–5 pm

+19285672840

Visit website

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 35.1

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+14805657081

Visit website

Hurricane Harbor Phoenix

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 70.2

Glendale, Arizona

Hours: Closed

+16232012000

Visit website

Amusement Park Rides RandRrides(Phoenix Park & Swap)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 46.8

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: Closed

+14809958653

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 148.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | AZ 387 / North Pinal Avenue

Turn left onto AZ 387 / North Pinal Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
8.7 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the ramp toward I 10 West: Phoenix

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
5
9 mi into trip | ~14m in | I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

Merge onto I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
44.2 mi into trip | ~52m in | US 60 / Maricopa Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
6
148.8 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in | AZ 179

Take the exit onto AZ 179 toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 298 Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.63 one way

$65.26 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $34.53 $69.07
premium $5.59 $36.06 $72.11
diesel $5.61 $36.16 $72.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.1 0 $17.20 $7.86
Efficient EV 41 0 $14.33 $6.55
EV Truck/SUV 65.5 0 $22.93 $10.48

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Casa Grande, AZ

Late night in Casa Grande on Sunday

Local time

3:16 AM

MST

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sedona, AZ

Late night in Sedona on Sunday

Local time

3:16 AM

MST

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

38 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 10m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be making frequent turns and navigating through populated areas and smaller communities rather than long stretches of open highway. With a 0% highway share, anticipate a driving experience focused on surface streets and state routes. The drive has no specified longest uninterrupted stretch, reinforcing the notion of a stop-and-go or more engaged local navigation. You'll likely experience varied road conditions as you transition between different local roads and state highways.

36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.2 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AZ 387 / North Pinal Avenue.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 163.8 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (AZ 387 / North Pinal Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles (I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Casa Grande, AZ to Sedona, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Oak Creek Canyon along the way.

Oak Creek Canyon

148.8 mi in | ~2h 42m | via AZ 179

About the Cities

Starting in Casa Grande, AZ

Full guide →

Founded 1879

Casa Grande is a city in South Central Arizona that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tucson or Phoenix. It was the site of an internment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States.

Top landmarks

  • • Casa Grande Stone Church — church in Casa Grande, Arizona
  • • Saint Anthony's Church — Historic church building in Casa Grande, Arizona, United States of America
  • • Casa Grande Woman's Club Building — historic clubhouse in Casa Grande, Arizona, USA

Arriving in Sedona, AZ

Full guide →

Sedona is a town in Arizona, United States of America, 120 miles north of Phoenix. Known for its beauty and serene setting amidst the beautiful Red Rocks, the town is famous for its vibrant arts community with nearly 100 art galleries and events including the Sedona International Film Festival, Sedona Arts Festival and the Sedona Jazz Festival. It offers excellent outdoor adventures, including mountain biking, hiking and off-roading. Sedona is surprisingly sprawling, with Oak Creek to the south, West Sedona and Uptown Sedona each providing great views, hikes, dining and arts.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 163.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 50.2 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Sedona, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (AZ 387 / North Pinal Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles (I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Sedona, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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