This 121.9-mile drive from Sedona to Scottsdale, Arizona, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. You'll be spending about 35% of your time on major highways, primarily the Arizona Veterans Highway, Pima Freeway, and Black Canyon Freeway. Expect a fuel cost of around $24 for this journey. Traveling within the Desert Southwest region, this route offers a straightforward transition between two popular Arizona destinations. It's a convenient option if you're looking for a relatively quick and uncomplicated transfer between these distinct desert landscapes.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.9 miles from Sedona, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway
52.9 mi
52m
Pima Freeway
21.8 mi
25m
Black Canyon Freeway
20.7 mi
22m
Red Rock Scenic Byway
14.4 mi
25m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi
5m
North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi
3m
East Chaparral Road
0.6 mi
1m
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 52.9 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sedona, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 89A
253 ft·4 sec·North State Route 89A
2
Continue on AZ 89A
333 ft·11 sec·North State Route 89A
3
Continue on AZ 89A
0.2 mi·35 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
4
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
177 ft·2 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
5
Continue on AZ 179
0.3 mi·50 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
6
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
69 ft·0 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
7
Continue on AZ 179
0.5 mi·58 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
8
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
92 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
9
Continue on AZ 179
0.6 mi·1 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
10
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
107 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
11
Continue on AZ 179
1.4 mi·3 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
12
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
80 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
13
Continue on AZ 179
0.4 mi·57 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
14
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
112 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
15
Continue on AZ 179
2.9 mi·6 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
16
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
81 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
17
Continue on AZ 179
0.6 mi·1 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
18
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
94 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
100 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
21
Continue on AZ 179
0.3 mi·36 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
22
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
108 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
23
Continue on AZ 179
7.0 mi·9 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
24
Take the exit onto AZ 179
0.2 mi·21 sec·AZ 179
Exit 298Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
25
Merge onto I 17
53 mi·52 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
26
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
29
Continue on I 17
10 mi·11 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 214CToward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop EastUse the slight right lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward AZ 101 Loop EastUse the slight left lane.
32
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
22 mi·25 min·Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 46Toward Chaparral RoadUse the slight right lane.
34
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
0.6 mi·1 min·East Chaparral Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
35
Turn left
64 ft·4 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour 20-minute duration, this trip is perfect for a single day. You can depart Sedona at your leisure, perhaps after a morning coffee, and still arrive in Scottsdale with ample daylight. With no specific stops recommended, your flexibility is key; feel free to pause for a restroom break or a quick stretch whenever needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading out on the longest 52.9-mile stretch on Arizona Veterans Highway, to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted journey to Scottsdale.
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 60.9 miles from Sedona, AZ, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.9 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 27 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.9 miles or 1h 12m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scottsdale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sedona, 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 Sedona, AZ
This is one driving day of about 121.9 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Sedona, 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 52.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 120.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
14.7 mi into trip|~26m 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
8
97.6 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 214C
Toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
7
98 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward AZ 101 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop East
7
120.9 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward Chaparral Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward Chaparral Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.28 one way
$48.57 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$25.70
$51.40
premium
$5.59
$26.83
$53.66
diesel
$5.61
$26.91
$53.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.6
0
$12.80
$5.85
Efficient EV
30.5
0
$10.67
$4.88
EV Truck/SUV
48.8
0
$17.07
$7.80
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Sedona, AZ
Night
in Sedona on Saturday
Local time
9:40 PM
MST
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scottsdale, AZ
Night
in Scottsdale on Saturday
Local time
9:40 PM
MST
Current temp
92°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
42 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 20m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive presents a mixed profile, with a significant portion on well-maintained highways. You'll experience stretches of faster driving, including a continuous 52.9-mile segment on the Arizona Veterans Highway. While not a purely scenic byway, the route does offer glimpses of the desert Southwest environment. Approximately 35% of the journey is on highway, suggesting a balance between open road cruising and potentially more varied driving as you approach your destination.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.9 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 121.9 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 (AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.7 miles (AZ 179): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Sedona, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Oak Creek Canyon along the way.
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.
Scottsdale is a city in the state of Arizona. Scottsdale is home to many galleries, high quality resorts, and golf courses. It is also one of the wealthier parts of the Phoenix Metro Area.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 20m. Total distance: 121.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.9 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 Scottsdale, 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. 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 (AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.7 miles (AZ 179): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Scottsdale, AZ before heading back.
