The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip Itinerary - The Wandering Queen (2024)

One of my favorite road trips I have ever done is in Arizona. I have never forgotten the outstanding views and great hikes I did on my Arizona road trip. The canyons and colors in this state make it a perfect spot for an ultimate family vacation. It is filled with many fun outdoorsy sites, and you can easily spend a whole week here! After this trip, you will have some of the best pictures and memories. I know I did 🙂.

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Best Time To Visit Arizona

• Spring/Fall:This is the best time to visit Arizona. The weather is pretty nice, but that means more crowds!
• Summer:It is sweltering to visit during this time of year. Plan your hikes around the early morning or late afternoon. Bring plenty of water.
• Winter:This is when I usually go to Arizona. The weather is bearable, and there are not as many crowds. If you go during this time, make sure you have enough winter clothes and camping gear. It does get pretty chilly at night.

10 Day Road Trip Arizona Itinerary Summary

Day 1:Arrive in Phoenix, Drive to Sedona
Day 2:Sedona
Day 3:Drive to Grand Canyon National Park
Day 4:Grand Canyon National Park
Day 5:Drive to Page Arizona
Day 6: Page Arizona
Day 7:Drive to Monument Valley
Day 8:Drive to Petrified Forest
Day 9: Drive to Tucson
Day 10: Drive To Phoenix, Fly Home

Where To Start And End The Road Trip

Phoenix is a great city to start and end your road trip. The airport there is called Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and has many connecting flights. There will be a lot of driving, so renting a car at the airport is best for this itinerary.

>>>Rent A Car Here<<<

10 Day Road Trip Arizona Itinerary

Day 1:Arrive in Phoenix, Sedona

Drive From Phoenix: 1 h 50 min – 2 h 20 min, (120 miles)

Cathedral Rock

Try to get to Phoenix early in the morning to spend the afternoon in Sedona. Sedona is such a lovely town filled with fantastic hikes. The best thing to do after you arrive in Sedona is the Cathedral Rock trail. This is my favorite trail in the area, and it is pretty short. So even if you get to Sedona in the afternoon, this is a perfect trail for sunset.

Cathedral Rock Trail: Distance: 1.2 miles | Elevation Gain: 744 feet| Difficulty: Strenuous | Trail Guide:Link|

Where To Stay In Sedona

• Hyatt Residence Club Sedona, Piñon Pointe:This hotel was my favorite. It felt like a home away from home. We got upgraded to a suite, and honestly, it was a dream. It had a full kitchen, fireplace, and living room. If you want more of a homey feel, this is the perfect spot.>Book Here Now
• Courtyard by Marriott Sedona:This hotel is excellent. It is a little farther away from town, but the place felt chic and clean. I even liked the bar! Right when you enter, you feel welcome and comfortable. Plus, there is a pool and firepit outside!>Book Here Now
• Holiday Inn Express Sedona – Oak Creek:We stayed here on our first night in Sedona, and it is a great place to stay if you are on a budget. There is free breakfast, and it is near one of my favorite trails, the Bell Rock Loop Trail.>Book Here Now

Read More: The Best Places To Stay In Sedona

Day 2:Sedona

Sunrise At Devils Bridge

The Devils Bridge is the most popular trail in Sedona. It will be packed no matter what time you go. Sunrise is the best time to avoid the crowds, but it will still be pretty crowded.

Devils Bridge: Distance: 4.2 miles | Elevation Gain: 564 feet| Difficulty: Moderate | Trail Guide:Link

Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village

I love hanging out at the Tlaquepaque Shops after a morning hike. The Chai Spot was probably my favorite store in this area. The tea is excellent! Make sure to check out their patio. It is so wonderfully decorated.

Tlaquepaque Shops is also filled with artsy galleries and restaurants. I love spending time here on a beautiful sunny day.

Read More: Best Hikes In Sedona, Arizona

Courthouse Butte Loop

Courthouse Butte Loop is probably the safest hike on this list. It is great for solo hikers. You can still see the highway while hiking, so there is almost no chance of getting lost. Plus, you can make the trail short or long. You can hike the Courthouse Butte Loop or the Bell Rock Loop (the shorter route). Either way, this is such a stunning and fantastic trail.

Courthouse Butte Loop: Distance: 3.9 miles | Elevation Gain: 357 feet| Difficulty: Moderate | Trail Guide:Link| I loved the views throughout this hike |

Day 3:Grand Canyon National Park

Drive From Sedona: 2 hours 2 min, (113 miles)

Hermit Road Viewpoints

Hermit Road has some of my favorite viewpoints in the entire park. Powell Point was my favorite view on this road, and I loved stopping at Hermits Rest at the end of the road. The historical gift shop was so cute and had some great hot cider (I went in the wintertime). In the winter, you can drive yourself to all the Hermit Road viewpoints, but you must take the free shuttle bus in the summer.

If you get done early with this activity, check out the viewpoints on the East side of the park, on Desert View Drive.

Read More: 21 Of The Best Grand Canyon Views

Where To Stay In The Grand Canyon

• Yavapai Lodgeis located in the Grand Canyon Village. It is perfect if you want a hotel with great views and excellent location>Book Accommodation Now
• Thunderbird Loungeis located in Tusayan near the Bright Angel Trailhead. There are 55 modern rooms, and the restaurant on site is open for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. >Book Accommodation Now
• There are many options for camping.Click here for more information on campgrounds

Read More:

Day 4:Grand Canyon National Park

Hike The South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point

The South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point is my favorite hike at the Grand Canyon. The views are incredible, and the trail is moderate at only 1.8 miles round trip and an elevation gain of 685 feet.

This trail and the Bright Angel Trail are the most popular hikes in the Grand Canyon, so they will be crowded. I have hiked both trails, and I feel like the South Kaibab has better views than Bright Angel. Since your time is limited in the Grand Canyon on this road trip, I would spend your energy on The South Kaibab Trail.

You can make the trail longer and hike to Cedar Ridge or Skeleton viewpoint.

Read More: 21 Of The Best Grand Canyon Views

Grand Canyon Village Viewpoints

Grand Canyon Village viewpoints are easy to explore, and I recommend checking them out during sunset. The three main viewpoints are Yavapai Point, Mather Point, and Yaki Point. Yavapai Point and Mather Point are located on the Rim Trail, and I would take your time and explore the Rim Trail. The views are phenomenal everywhere you walk. To get to Yaki Point, you have to take the free orange route shuttle bus.

Day 5:Page Arizona

Drive From Grand Canyon: 2 h 30 min, (131 miles)

Lower And Upper Antelope Canyon

When I did my road trip through Arizona I fell in love with this whimsical place! Page, AZ is so freaking beautiful. I loved the canyons, the colors, and the lake. It was all so stunning!

When I was researching Page, I realized that the number one thing I needed to do was explore Antelope Canyon. There are two Antelope Canyons. An Upper and a Lower. It can be confusing to pick because you have to pay a tour guide to take you to both canyons.

Read More: Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon, AZ | Which Is Better to Visit?

I recommend experiencing both canyons. They are just so beautiful and magical and are a fantastic experience. But if you are limited on time and money, I would pick Lower Antelope Canyon. There were fewer people when I went, the lighting was better, and I loved the formations more. You really can not go wrong with any of the canyons, though.

Like I said above, the only way to experience the canyons is to book a ticket. I have linked the tickets here.

Where To Stay In Page, Arizona

• Lake Powell Resortis where we stayed. I liked how close the hotel was to Lake Powell. Being able to walk around and experience the views was a plus. But, the actual room we stayed at did need some updating.>Check Prices and Availability Now
• Hyatt Place Page Lake Powellis located inside the city of Page, Arizona.>Check Prices and Availability Now
• Country Inn & Suites by Radissonis located inside the city of Page, Arizona.>Check Prices and Availability Now

Day 6: Page Arizona

Horseshoe Bend

Hiking to Horseshoe Bend is a must on your trip! This is one of my favorite hikes in Arizona. The view is incredible. The best part is that it is a very easy hike, so you can easily hike it for sunset or sunrise (we did it during sunrise). The trail is only 1.5 miles round trip with a 137 ft elevation gain. The trail can get pretty crowded, but there is plenty of room for everyone to take a photo.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is one of the dreamiest man-made lakes I have ever seen. The best thing to do is to rent a boat or jet ski. You can rent a boat to explore the Rainbow Bridge National Monument – one of the largest known natural bridges in the world! For sunset, I recommend eating at the Rainbow Room because the views at the resort are out of this world.

Read More: Best Things To Do In Page, Arizona

Day 7:Monument Valley

Drive From Page, AZ: 2 hours, (121 miles)

Monument Valley Drive Loop

Monument Valley has been featured in so many western films and is a must-stop on many people’s AZ road trips. It’s such a nostalgic, stunning place to take pictures, and you only need one day to explore all the lovely buttes.

There is one attraction at Monument Valley that cannot be missed: theMonument Valley Drive Loop. You can either self-drive or hire a guide. Self-driving is extremely easy, but hire a guide if you want to hear the history.

Read More: Best Things To Do In Monument Valley

Other Things To Do At Monument Valley

You can’t do much at Monument Valley without taking a tour, which is understandable because this is Navajo Land. If you want to take other tours, click here. Otherwise, below are some of the activities that are not tours.

• Wildcat Trail: Distance: 3.9 miles | Elevation Gain: 380 feet| Difficulty: Moderate | Trail Guide:Link| The only self guided trail in Monument Valley |
• Highway 163 Monument Valley (Forrest Gump Point): World famous location to take pictures of the highway and valley. The GPS coordinates are 37.101393, -109.990973.
• Check Out The View Hotel: Even if you are not staying at the hotel, I think you should still check it out. The views are phenominal, the local Navajo food is delicious, and I loved the gift shop.

Where To Stay In Monument Valley

• The View Hotel:We stayed at this hotel. The hotel is owned by a local Navajo Tribe Woman named Armanda. The hotel is the only Monument Valley accommodation within the park. If you want the full Monument Valley experience, I highly recommend this hotel. Thishotel is thebest place to stay in Monument Valley>Check Prices and Availability Now
• The Goulding Lodge:is another excellent option for Monument Valley lodging. This hotel has splendid views and hikes nearby.>Check Prices and Availability Now

Day 8:Petrified Forest

Drive From Monument Valley: 3 hours, (186 miles)

Petrified Forest Road

You only need to spend a few hours at Petrified Forest National Park. There are a few viewpoints and some easy hikes, so this is probably the most leisurely stop on your Arizona Trip. It is an easy itinerary because you will be driving to each viewpoint, stepping out, taking pictures, then getting back in your car to get to the following view.

There is a road that goes through the park called “Petrified Forest Road.” I recommend starting at the visitors center, getting a map, and then making your way down the road at each stop. I will say that the visitors center was the most impressive one I have seen and I loved that you could buy petrified wood. So here are the noteworthy stops:

• Kachina Point
• Puerco Pueblo
• Newspaper Rock
• Blue Mesa
• Agate Bridge
• Jasper Forest Overlook
• Crystal Forest
• Giant Logs
• Agate House

Read More: Best Things To Do In Petrified Forest

Please Note: It is illegal to take any Petrified Wood in the park. Leave it for other visitors to enjoy in the future.

Where To Stay Near Petrified Forest

• Best Western Arizonian Inn: This is probably the best hotel near the national park. It comes with a pool, bar, and restaurant!>Click Here To Check Prices
• Petrified Forest National Park Camping:There are no campgrounds, but you can get a backcountry permit at the Painted Desert Visitor Center or Rainbow Forest Museum for free. >Click Here For More Information

Day 9: Tucson

Drive From Petrified Forest National Park: 4 hours, (263 miles)

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park is one of the first national parks I visited in the USA. I was so amazed at the landscape as well as the beautiful cacti. The national park is made up of two sections: the eastern side and the western side. To get to each side of the park, you need to drive one hour through the city of Tucson. This is why I think it is best to choose one side to explore, so you are not driving too much on this day(you have been driving all over the state of Arizona for the past few days).

The western side called the Tucson Mountain District has more cacti and more crowds. The Eastern side, called the Rincon Mountain District, has fewer cacti, but it has astounding mountain views.

Some of the best trails in the park include:

• Signal Hill
• Loma Verde Trail
• Desert Ecology Trail
• King Canyon Trail to Wasson Peak

Of course, you do not need to hike challenging trails to enjoy this park. We walked around and enjoyed the lovely saguaros in the park. Many people love to take photos of them during sunset and get the perfect silhouette, as shown above.

Read More: Best Hikes In Saguaro National Park

Where To Stay In Tucson

• Graduate Tucson: Love the decoration here! It feels so hip, colorful, and chick. >Click Here To Check Prices
• Hotel McCoy – Art, Coffee, Beer, Wine:An fantasic place to stay if you are into art, food and drinking. Such a fun and visually stunning hotel. >Click Here For More Information

Day 10: Drive To Phoenix, Fly Home

Drive From Tucson: 1 hour 35 min, (109 miles)

It’s time to get home 🙁 Arizona is such a fun state with so much to do! If you want to explore Phoenix, you can check out Old Town Scottsdale, which is my favorite area in the city.

Other Arizona Road Trips If You Have More Time

Havasupai

Havasu Falls is arguably one of the most beautiful waterfalls you will ever see. In contrast to the orange canyons, the sparkling blue waters really make this an extraordinary place. But getting here is pretty tricky.

You have to apply for a permit in February, and they are challenging to obtain.You can read about how I got the permit here.If you can get a permit, then I would center your itinerary around Havasu because this permit is complicated to get.

I also want to point out that you pretty much have to backpack to Havasu Falls (10 miles one way). Backpacking can be difficult for someone that has never done it before. But if you are up to it, do it! It is a good, beginner backpacking trip. You can read more about my backpacking equipment here.

So since it is difficult to obtain a permit and a hard backpacking trip to plan (if you have never backpacked before), then this is an optional stop. But if you do get a permit, I would plan my trip around this hike. The minimum night stays are three nights, and it is worth it!

Learn more about Havasupai in our post: The Ultimate Guide To Havasu Falls

The Wave

The Waveis a beautiful place to explore near Page, Arizona. This is another area that requires a permit, and it is challenging to obtain.

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castleis a well-preserved ancient dwelling in north-central Arizona that is a 20 room, 5-story structure built by the Sinagua Indians around the 14th century. This is a great pit stop when you are on your way to Sedona.

Lake Havasu

Lake Havasu is located on the border of California and Arizona and is known for the desert trails and water sports. A famous bridge was also relocated from England and linked the mainland to the marinas.

Arizona Itinerary 7 Days

I know that not everyone has time to spend 10 days in Arizona, so I have a 7 day Arizona road trip itinerary below. Petrified Forest National Park is my least favorite out of the areas I list below. If you want to spend more time in Sedona Or Page, you can remove Petrified Forest and replace it.

Arizona Itinerary 4 Days

Arizona Itinerary 3 Days

Arizona Road Trip Tours

Below are some of the most popular tours on this road trip.

What To Pack Road Trips In Arizona

1. Sunscreen:Super important and it is part of the ten essentials! >Buy Sunscreen
2. Chapstick: This one has SPF so your lips won’t get burned in this hot sun! >Check Out This Chapstick
3. Hiking Boots/Shoes:If you use tennis shoes, you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me, I have done it so many times before).>Check Out My Hiking Shoes
4. Hiking socks:Having the correct socks helps you prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there.>Buy Hiking Socks
5. Water Reservoir:Water reservoirs help prevent me from getting dehydrated while hiking. The great thing about this reservoir is that it doesn’t have the plastic taste.>Here Is My Water Reservoir
6. Water:Stay nice and hydrated.
7. Sunglasses:It can get sunny, so make sure to pack some sunglasses.>Check Out These Sunglasses
8. Snacks:The best snacks are jerky, nuts, and energy bars.Clif Bars are great for hiking
9. Camera:The Sony A6000 was one of the first cameras I started traveling with.The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.>Buy Sony Camera Here
10. First Aid Kit:This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable.>Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
11. Day Pack to carry all your things:To carry all your gear, water, and food, you need a good backpack. Osprey is known to have some of the best backpacks in the market.>Buy This Great Quality Backpack
12. Headlamp:A headlamp is an absolute must in case you get stranded in the dark! It is a lot more portable and easier to use than a flashlight.>Buy A Headlamp Now
13. Leggings or Hiking Pants:I always wear leggings while hiking because it is what I feel most comfortable with!>Click For My Favorite Hiking Leggings
14. Breathable sweat-wicking shirts: Cotton shirts soak up your sweat when hiking, so make sure to wear something breathable.>Check out this awesome breathable shirt here.
15. Mid Base Layer:If you are hiking in the winter, this might be a great idea.>Check Out My Sweater Here
16. Sports Bra:For women.
17. Jacket:I always have a jacket in my backpack, even if it is hot. I do it just in case of an emergency. >Buy My Favorite Jacket
18. Rain Jacket: The worst feeling in the world is being wet and cold while hiking. You can get hypothermia, so always carry a poncho or a rain jacket. >Check Out My Rain Jacket Here
19. Tripod:This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures.>Check out this tripod
20. Knife:I always carry a knife in my backpack just in case.>Check Out My Knife Here
21. National Park Pass: There are many national parks, and national forests on this road trip so it is best to buy a national park pass. >Buy One Here
22. Water Cube: You will be driving a lot so, storing water in the car is smart. >Buy Water Cube Here

Final Thoughts On Arizona Sightseeing Road Trips

Thanks for reading about the best road trip to Arizona! I hope this helps you plan the perfect vacation. Make sure to check out some of my outdoor posts below:

• Utah National Parks Road Trip
• How To Plan A USA National Park Road Trip
• How To Find Free Camping Near Me
• The Ultimate Road Trip Checklist

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