Traveling from Phoenix to Sedona covers 115.7 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. You will start by navigating local streets like West Washington and West Adams before transitioning onto I-17 North to head toward the high desert. Because the total travel time is relatively short, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $23 for fuel to complete the trip. While both cities are located within the Desert Southwest, the climb toward Sedona offers a distinct change in elevation. Whether you are looking for a quick getaway or a longer stay, this drive provides a straightforward connection between these two Arizona hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.9 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway
50.2 mi
50m
Black Canyon Freeway
39.4 mi
43m
Red Rock Scenic Byway
14.5 mi
25m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi
9m
West Washington Street
1.2 mi
2m
West Adams Street
0.8 mi
1m
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
0.2 mi
<1m
AZ 179
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 50.2 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Sedona, AZ.
1
Start on West Washington Street
1.0 mi·2 min·West Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Keep slight right at fork onto West Washington Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·West Washington Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on West Adams Street
0.8 mi·1 min·West Adams Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 17 North, US 60 West: Flagstaff
5
Merge onto I 17; US 60
39 mi·43 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
37 mi·36 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
9
Take the exit onto AZ 179
0.2 mi·26 sec·AZ 179
Exit 298Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
10
Turn left onto AZ 179
7.1 mi·10 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
11
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
111 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
12
Continue on AZ 179
0.3 mi·36 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
13
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
92 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
14
Continue on AZ 179
0.2 mi·22 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
15
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
105 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
16
Continue on AZ 179
0.6 mi·1 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
17
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
103 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
18
Continue on AZ 179
3.1 mi·6 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
19
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
93 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
20
Continue on AZ 179
0.5 mi·57 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
21
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
68 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
22
Continue on AZ 179
1.4 mi·3 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
23
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
73 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
24
Continue on AZ 179
0.6 mi·1 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
25
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
104 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
26
Continue on AZ 179
0.5 mi·58 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
27
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
135 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
28
Continue on AZ 179
0.3 mi·49 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
29
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89A
17 ft·0 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
30
Continue on AZ 89A
0.2 mi·35 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
31
Turn right onto AZ 89A
329 ft·11 sec·North State Route 89A
32
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89A
207 ft·3 sec·North State Route 89A
33
Arrive at destination
AZ 89A
Trip Plan
Since your total time on the road is just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You don't need to worry about splitting the trip into multiple days, as the distance is easily manageable in a single stint. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the local roads means you should stay alert during the initial phase of your departure from Phoenix. Factor the $23 fuel estimate into your overall budget to ensure you are prepared for the round trip. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the initial turns onto West Washington and West Adams before you leave, as navigating city traffic is the most complex part of your journey.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.9 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 1h 5m 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.9 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 42m
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 Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, AZ
This is one driving day of about 115.7 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Phoenix, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
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 1 and 108.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1 mi into trip|~2m in|West Washington Street
Keep slight right at fork onto West Washington Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 17 North, US 60 West: Flagstaff
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17 North, US 60 West: Flagstaff
5
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in|I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge onto I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
100.7 mi into trip|~1h 48m 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
5
108.2 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.05 one way
$46.10 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$24.39
$48.79
premium
$5.59
$25.47
$50.94
diesel
$5.61
$25.55
$51.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.7
0
$12.15
$5.55
Efficient EV
28.9
0
$10.12
$4.63
EV Truck/SUV
46.3
0
$16.20
$7.40
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (65% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Night
in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
11:02 PM
MST
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
W 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sedona, AZ
Night
in Sedona on Saturday
Local time
11:02 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
29 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 15m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a shift in driving conditions as you move away from the urban center of Phoenix. The journey begins with a turn-heavy local drive through city streets, requiring your full attention before you merge onto the interstate. Unlike long-haul treks, this route features a 0% highway share according to our technical profile, emphasizing the winding, local nature of the path. You won't find long, monotonous stretches here, as the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on West Washington Street. Be prepared for a dynamic experience behind the wheel that demands active navigation rather than passive highway cruising.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 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?
5/10
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 around 1 miles in near West Washington Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 115.7 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: at 1 miles (West Washington Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon 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.
On the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Sedona, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Oak Creek Canyon along the way.
Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona, the most populous city in the American Southwest. Warm and sunny winter weather have ensured a thriving tourism industry, and the city has become the region's primary political, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is extremely hot and dry in the summertime, so always have sunscreen with you! It had about 1,625,000 residents in 2021, and is the fifth largest city in the United States.
Top landmarks
•Arizona State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Arizona
•Phoenix Art Museum — art museum in Phoenix, Arizona
•St. Mary's Basilica — Roman Catholic church in Phoenix, Arizona
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 15m. Total distance: 115.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (West Washington Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon 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.
