Origin
Gilbert, AZ
Night in Gilbert on Saturday
Local time
11:01 PM
MST
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gilbert, 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
2h 41m
Distance
137.7 mi
222 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 31m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gilbert, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Sedona, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 137.7-mile journey from Gilbert, AZ to Sedona, AZ takes approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes. It's a straightforward drive, making it an ideal day trip from the Desert Southwest region. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, it's an economical excursion. The route primarily utilizes Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, and Red Rock Scenic Byway, offering a pleasant mix of driving experiences. Plan for a single stop to break up the drive, and be prepared for a drive that's about 44% on highways.
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
68.8 miles from Gilbert, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 50.2 mi | 50m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 41.3 mi | 45m |
| Red Rock Scenic Byway | 14.5 mi | 25m |
| Superstition Freeway | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| North Gilbert Road | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| US 60 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 50.2 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gilbert, AZ and Sedona, AZ.
1
Start on this road
203 ft
·
20 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto North Elm Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
North Elm Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
440 ft
·
23 sec
·
East Vaughn Avenue
4
Turn right onto North Gilbert Road
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Gilbert Road
5
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward US 60 West: Phoenix
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto US 60
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 60
Toward I 10 North
8
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Continue on I 17; US 60
41 mi
·
45 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 17
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
37 mi
·
36 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
14
Take the exit onto AZ 179
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
AZ 179
Exit 298
Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
15
Turn left onto AZ 179
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
16
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
111 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
17
Continue on AZ 179
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
18
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
92 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
19
Continue on AZ 179
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
20
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
105 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
21
Continue on AZ 179
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
22
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
103 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
23
Continue on AZ 179
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
24
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
93 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
25
Continue on AZ 179
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
26
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
68 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
27
Continue on AZ 179
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
28
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
73 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
29
Continue on AZ 179
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
30
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
104 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
31
Continue on AZ 179
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
32
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
135 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
33
Continue on AZ 179
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
34
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89A
17 ft
·
0 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
35
Continue on AZ 89A
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
36
Turn right onto AZ 89A
329 ft
·
11 sec
·
North State Route 89A
37
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89A
207 ft
·
3 sec
·
North State Route 89A
38
Arrive at destination
AZ 89A
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour and 41-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. To make the most of it, consider departing Gilbert, AZ in the morning to maximize your time in Sedona. You'll have one designated stop, so plan for a quick break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 50.2-mile stretch on Arizona Veterans Highway, as services might be spaced out. The flexibility of a day trip means you can adjust your departure and arrival times to suit your preferences.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.8 miles from Gilbert, AZ, or about 1h 20m 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 30 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.8 miles or 1h 20m 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 4m
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 Gilbert, 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 Gilbert, AZ
This is one driving day of about 137.7 miles and 2h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Gilbert, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.8 miles from Gilbert, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 122.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East Vaughn Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
2.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left toward US 60 West: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 60 West: Phoenix
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
18 mi into trip
|
~24m 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
122.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m 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
$27.43 one way
$54.86 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $29.03 | $58.06 |
| premium | $5.59 | $30.31 | $60.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.40 | $60.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.46 | $6.61 |
| Efficient EV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.05 | $5.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.28 | $8.81 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Sedona, AZ
Night in Sedona on Saturday
Local time
11:01 PM
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
39 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
2h 41m 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?
Your drive will be a mixed bag, with about 44% of the route on highways. You'll experience stretches of faster driving on roads like the Black Canyon Freeway, but also enjoy more scenic byways as you approach Sedona. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 50.2 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway, so be prepared for that significant segment. The character of the drive evolves, moving from open desert landscapes to the red rock country surrounding your destination, making for a visually dynamic experience.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 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?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near East Vaughn Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 137.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (East Vaughn Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): 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.
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 Gilbert, AZ to Sedona, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Oak Creek Canyon along the way.
Oak Creek Canyon
122.6 mi in
|
~2h 14m
|
via AZ 179
About the Cities
Starting in Gilbert, AZ
Full guide →Gilbert is in the southeast valley of the Greater Phoenix region of Arizona. With a population of 270,000 (2021 est.) it is the largest town in the US. people. Once a railway town and the "Hay Capital of the World", Gilbert is now a diverse suburban center, retaining its agricultural and railroad history and celebrating its "small town" feel.
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 2h 41m. Total distance: 137.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (44%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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: at 0.3 miles (East Vaughn Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sedona, AZ before heading back.
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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