This 128.6-mile journey from West Sedona, AZ to Avondale, AZ takes about 2 hours and 11 minutes, making it a manageable day trip. You'll navigate primarily on State Route 89A, the Prescott–Flagstaff Highway, and the Red Rock Scenic Byway, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $26. Given its relatively short duration and turn-heavy profile, it’s best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent arid landscape.
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
64.2 miles from West Sedona, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway
52.9 mi
52m
Black Canyon Freeway
20.7 mi
22m
Agua Fria Freeway
20.6 mi
23m
Red Rock Scenic Byway
14.3 mi
25m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi
5m
Papago Freeway
3.4 mi
3m
North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi
3m
State Route 89A
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 52.9 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Sedona, AZ and Avondale, AZ.
1
Start on Andante Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Andante Drive
2
Turn left onto AZ 89A
2.3 mi·4 min·State Route 89A
3
Continue on AZ 89A
0.1 mi·9 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
4
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89A
89 ft·1 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
5
Continue on AZ 89A
323 ft·4 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
6
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
11 ft·0 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
7
Continue on AZ 179
0.3 mi·50 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
8
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
69 ft·0 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
9
Continue on AZ 179
0.5 mi·58 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
10
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
92 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
11
Continue on AZ 179
0.6 mi·1 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
12
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
107 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
13
Continue on AZ 179
1.4 mi·3 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
14
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
80 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
15
Continue on AZ 179
0.4 mi·57 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
16
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
112 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
17
Continue on AZ 179
2.9 mi·6 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
18
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
81 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
19
Continue on AZ 179
0.6 mi·1 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
20
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
94 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
21
Continue on AZ 179
0.2 mi·22 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
22
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
100 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
23
Continue on AZ 179
0.3 mi·36 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
24
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
108 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
25
Continue on AZ 179
7.0 mi·9 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
26
Take the exit onto AZ 179
0.2 mi·21 sec·AZ 179
Exit 298Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
27
Merge onto I 17
53 mi·52 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
28
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
31
Continue on I 17
10 mi·11 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 214CToward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop EastUse the slight right lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward AZ 101 Loop WestUse the slight right lane.
34
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
21 mi·23 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 10 West: Los AngelesUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
36
Merge onto I 10
3.4 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
37
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 129Toward Dysart RoadUse the slight right lane.
38
Turn left onto North Dysart Road
1.6 mi·2 min·North Dysart Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
39
Turn right onto East Western Avenue
0.5 mi·56 sec·East Western Avenue
40
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
89 ft·5 sec·North Central Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Turn right
27 ft·1 sec
42
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 128.6-mile trip, consider an early morning departure from West Sedona to avoid any potential local traffic, especially since the drive is only 2 hours and 11 minutes. With no designated stops and a fuel cost of about $26, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed. Keep an eye out for the various road names mentioned, including State Route 89A and the Prescott–Flagstaff Highway, as these mark your progression. Since this is a shorter, turn-heavy drive, being well-rested and having a full tank of gas before you leave West Sedona will ensure a more comfortable experience.
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 64.2 miles from West Sedona, AZ, or about 1h 18m 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 28 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.2 miles or 1h 18m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avondale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West 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 West Sedona, AZ
This is one driving day of about 128.5 miles and 2h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from West Sedona, 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 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.1 and 126 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
17.1 mi into trip|~31m 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
100 mi into trip|~1h 56m 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
100.4 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 101 Loop West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop West
8
122 mi into trip|~2h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
7
126 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward Dysart Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 129
Toward Dysart Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.60 one way
$51.20 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$27.09
$54.18
premium
$5.59
$28.29
$56.57
diesel
$5.61
$28.37
$56.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45 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
38.6
0
$13.49
$6.17
Efficient EV
32.1
0
$11.24
$5.14
EV Truck/SUV
51.4
0
$17.99
$8.22
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
West Sedona, AZ
Night
in West Sedona on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
MST
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Avondale, AZ
Night
in Avondale on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
MST
Current temp
89°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 31m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a route with a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter frequent turns and less of a straightforward highway feel. With 0% highway share, this drive keeps you on surface roads for its entirety. You won't find any exceptionally long, uninterrupted stretches, so expect to be actively steering and navigating throughout the 2 hours and 11 minutes. The road's character is defined by its local nature, encouraging a steady pace and attention to your surroundings as you transition between different road segments like the Red Rock Scenic Byway.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 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?
9/10
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 17.1 miles in near AZ 179.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 128.5 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 17.1 miles (AZ 179): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between West Sedona, AZ and Avondale, AZ, road signs point toward Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 128.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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 Avondale, 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 17.1 miles (AZ 179): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 100.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument and Walnut Canyon National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Avondale, AZ before heading back.
