Best Arizona Road Trips: Scenic Drives, Desert Towns, and Tips for the Journey

The best Arizona road trips involve some pretty ridiculous changes of scenery. You can leave Phoenix surrounded by enormous cacti, drive between Sedona’s red rocks, climb into pine forests, and end up staring into a massive meteor crater. All in the same state… even in the same day! Arizona has a lot going on.

I’ve explored parts of Arizona while visiting a friend in Phoenix and others while road tripping across the U.S., and some of my fondest memories are from the places between the big stops… from photographing giant saguaros beside the road, to buying a little Native American dreamcatcher at a mountain viewpoint, to stopping for a hot dog and leaving with Route 66 souvenirs.

There are drives here for a spare afternoon around Phoenix, weekends full of wine and cute desert towns, and longer trips connecting some of the most unique landscapes in the country. I’ve included a mix below, along with a few ways to make the most of the journey. And yes, there are plenty of places to stop for way too many photos.

Tips for Enjoying Your Arizona Road Trips

When I visited my friend in Phoenix, she was living quite far outside the center because she’d found a cheaper house out there. Which was great, but it also meant we needed a car for pretty much everything. Phoenix is spread OUT.

Picking up a car opens up so much beyond the city, from cactus-covered hills around Scottsdale to Sedona’s red rocks farther north. And if you fancy a splurge, Arizona luxury car rentals make the drive itself part of the experience. A convertible, a good playlist, and a sunny afternoon in the desert? Sounds like a core memory waiting to happen.

Before getting into the routes, here are six ways to make your Arizona road trip even better.

1. Drive a Scenic Byway

Arizona has some roads worth planning an entire trip around, and the Red Rock Scenic Byway into Sedona is one of them. State Route 179 brings you past Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte, with those enormous formations rising beside the pavement. It’s a pretty spectacular introduction to Sedona, so make time to pull over along the way!

2. Go From Desert to Pine Forest

One of my favorite things about Arizona is how quickly the scenery changes as you climb. The roads toward Flagstaff and Mount Lemmon take you into cooler mountain landscapes, sometimes after you’ve spent the morning surrounded by cacti. You’ll find both kinds of drive below, and I’d absolutely include one if you’ve mostly been picturing Arizona as endless desert.

3. Follow a Canyon Road to a Desert Lake

Blue water surrounded by dusty mountains is such a beautiful combination, especially in the late-afternoon light. East of Phoenix, the Apache Trail winds toward Canyon Lake, while Bush Highway takes you toward the Salt River and Saguaro Lake. These are lovely options for a day with mountain views, a waterfront stop, and plenty of bends in the road.

4. Time Your Drive for the Best Light

The hour before sunset makes Sedona’s red rocks glow, while early mornings bring softer light to the desert around Phoenix. Spring and fall are my first picks for a trip combining desert and mountain scenery. Cooler months are especially appealing for top-down driving around Phoenix and Tucson, while summer is a good excuse to head uphill into the pines as it can get way too hot for the city.

5. Make It an Overnight Trip

Sedona alone deserves proper time to explore, especially with its hiking, restaurants, and gorgeous retreats (can you tell I love Sedona yet?!). There are also some seriously unique places to stay in Arizona I’ve written about, from historic hotels to desert glamping. Stay overnight, catch the red rocks at sunset, and continue through Oak Creek Canyon toward Flagstaff the next morning.

6. Make the Car Part of the Experience, and Choose Carefully!

A special car can be half the fun on a scenic drive, particularly if you’re celebrating something or have always wanted to try a convertible. You can even rent something like the Ferrari 488 Spider, which would be a truly epic way to celebrate an occasion – it has a retractable hardtop, so you can keep it up on the interstate and put it down for the scenic stretches.

For a couple traveling light, a two-seater makes sense; for friends, family, or a pile of camera gear, an SUV gives you more room. I’d match the car to the route, too, keeping a low sports car on the paved drives. For a longer trip, the included mileage is worth comparing with your planned route.

Short Scenic Drives Near Phoenix and Scottsdale

Just want to cruise around the city and not the whole state?! I got you.

Bush Highway and Saguaro Lake: Blue Water in the Desert

Bush Highway follows stretches of the Salt River east of Phoenix, with a turnoff toward Saguaro Lake. You’ve got rocky mountains, slopes dotted with cacti, and then bright blue water appearing between them. It’s especially beautiful after a day of photographing various shades of orange and brown.

Give this one a few hours so you can stop by the river and spend some time around the lake. The mountain backdrop makes the waterfront views particularly tunning. I’d happily save a chunk of the afternoon for this part.

South Mountain’s Summit Road: Views Across Phoenix

Summit Road winds uphill through South Mountain Park toward Dobbins Lookout, where Phoenix spreads across the valley below. If you hadn’t already realized how enormous the city is, you def will up here. Streets and buildings stretch toward distant mountains, with the desert slopes right beneath you.

Late afternoon is a lovely time for the changing light over the valley. This is an easy one to work into a Phoenix stay, especially if you want a scenic drive close to town. Sunday vehicle access varies with the park’s Silent Sunday schedule.

Cave Creek and Carefree: Desert Roads and Little Towns

Extend your Scottsdale outing toward Cave Creek and Carefree, connecting stops along Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway. Cave Creek has a Western feel, with shops and places to eat among the desert hills, while Carefree has galleries and gardens to wander around. I’d combine this with the Desert Foothills drive, stop for lunch, and leave the return journey for that gorgeous late-afternoon light.

Desert Foothills Scenic Drive: Giant Cacti and Mountain Views

If you’re as fascinated by enormous cacti as I am, start with the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive along northern Scottsdale Road. Saguaros and rocky mountain backdrops fill the landscape, and roadside plant markers help put names to what you’re seeing. Some of those saguaros are absolutely massive.

On one of my drives out of Phoenix, I had to stop and get the long camera lens out because I couldn’t get over how many there were. Their huge arms were branching out in every direction across the desert. I could have spent quite a while photographing them, and we hadn’t even reached the main stops yet.

Longer Arizona Road Trips Worth Making Time For

These will take you far and wide across the whole beautiful, varied state.

Apache Junction to Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flat

Follow State Route 88 from Apache Junction into the Superstition Mountains for winding roads, rugged slopes, and views down toward Canyon Lake. The blue water tucked between those steep, dusty mountains is gorgeous. There are plenty of reasons to stop before you reach the little town at the end of this outing. My friend had her wedding out this way (pic above) and it was gorgeous.

Tortilla Flat is a former stagecoach stop with a saloon and general store, surrounded by all that dramatic scenery. Have something to eat, wander around, and return the way you came. Turning around here keeps this drive on pavement, before the unpaved stretches of the longer Apache Trail.

You can fit the drive into half a day, although I’d allow longer if you want time at the lake. It works well as an outing from Phoenix before heading north toward Sedona. For a convertible afternoon, this is a pretty beautiful choice.

Camp Verde, Cottonwood, and Jerome: Arizona Wine Country

Wine might not be the first thing you associate with Arizona, but the Verde Valley has vineyards and tasting rooms worth adding to your itinerary. As someone who loves wine, I was very happy to learn this! 😉 It’s one of Arizona’s established wine regions, alongside Sonoita and Willcox.

Travel north from Phoenix toward Camp Verde, continue to Cottonwood, and head uphill to Jerome. Old Town Cottonwood has tasting rooms, restaurants, and shops close together. Jerome is a former mining town built into a hillside, with winding streets and buildings stacked above the valley just begging for amazing photos.

My friend from Phoenix did a trip around here and came back talking about how cute and interesting it was. I’d add Page Springs and Cornville for the vineyards, with a wine tour for an afternoon of tasting. Sedona is nearby, so this could easily become a few days of wine, red rocks, and lovely little towns.

Phoenix to Sedona and Flagstaff: Red Rocks, Crystals, and Pine Forests

After leaving Phoenix, take I-17 north and turn onto State Route 179 for the Red Rock Scenic Byway into Sedona. Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte make quite an introduction to those road trip views. Those enormous red formations are right beside your route, and the views keep coming as you approach town.

Sedona is honestly one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in the Southwest. The reds and oranges are so rich, and some of the roadside viewpoints are incredible. You can pull into a parking area and get photos that look like you’ve hiked miles for them, which is quite convenient for a road trip.

But, I’d absolutely stay longer if you can. There are beautiful hikes, boutique properties, and some seriously gorgeous wellness resorts and retreats. You’ll find plenty of unique things to do in Sedona, whether you’re here for the trails or something a little more spiritual.

The woo-woo people – which I may or may not be part of – consider Sedona a type of energy vortex. It draws people interested in crystals, meditation, breathwork, and all sorts of healing practices. Even my ex wandered through a crystal shop with me, and we got chatting with the lovely owners of a little restaurant we visited. People here are lovely.

Continue north on 89A through Oak Creek Canyon toward Flagstaff, and the landscape changes again. The road winds uphill into the trees, the air gets cooler, and suddenly you’re surrounded by pine forest. Arizona, make up your mind!

At one of the viewpoints, I bought a little dreamcatcher from a Native American vendor. I still have it in my room, and it reminds me of that drive every time I look at it. From Flagstaff, you can head to the Grand Canyon or east to Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest.

Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon: Sunrise and Desert View Drive

The Grand Canyon is a very necessary addition to the best Arizona road trips. It would feel a little ridiculous to talk about driving around Arizona and leave out that enormous hole in the ground. But just as an FYI, you aren’t really driving beside canyon views on the way there; the approach takes you through forests and open country before you reach the rim.

I’d recommend staying in the park or nearby so you can head out to th canyon for sunrise. There are classic lodges, hotels, and tempting glamping stays all around the wider area – just the type of unique stays I love. An early morning at the rim followed by a few walks would make a pretty incredible short visit, or there are tons of options for longer, too.

For the actual scenic drive of the Grand Canyon, follow Desert View Drive, which runs 23 miles between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View. Overlooks along the way give you different angles across the canyon and down toward the Colorado River. Leaving through the East Entrance brings you toward Cameron, with options to continue into northeastern Arizona or north toward Page.

Grand Canyon to Monument Valley: Those Famous Southwest Views

Monument Valley’s enormous sandstone buttes rise out of wide-open desert, creating one of the most recognizable views in the country that we have ALL seen on instagram. From the Grand Canyon’s East Entrance, travel toward Cameron, then continue via Tuba City and Kayenta. You’ll cross long stretches of the Navajo Nation between towns.

That famous straight-road photo is along U.S. 163 on the Utah side, north of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. So yes, this Arizona road trip briefly wanders into Utah. Inside the park, a Navajo-guided tour is a great way to explore the formations along the unpaved scenic routes.

This region also brings opportunities to buy work from local Native American artists, which are awesome souvenirs. During one of my Arizona stops, I bought a beaded decorative arrow with a crystal, which I still have at home. It was too big for my suitcase when I left for my current home in Bali, but it’s so cool I’d absolutely love to have it up on a wall!

From Monument Valley, continue farther into Utah or head south through the Navajo Nation toward Petrified Forest. It’s a beautiful addition to a multi-state trip. I’d give it its own overnight stop rather than squeeze it between two long driving days – don’t make the same mistake I did and try to do most of AZ in a day!

Sedona or Flagstaff to Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest

I drove this stretch while crossing the U.S., and it includes two of the most unusual places I visited. From Sedona, follow 89A toward Flagstaff, then take I-40 east. After climbing from red rocks into pine trees, you’re back in wide-open desert again.

Meteor Crater: Yes, There Really Is Something Out Here

Leaving the interstate for Meteor Crater genuinely feels like taking a wrong turn. There is absolute nothingness out here for miles and miles, as far as you can see. Luckily, signs keep telling you how far you have left, because otherwise I’m not sure I would have believed there was anything out there.

Then, you arrive at this enormous, incredibly well-preserved impact crater. I’m honestly surprised people don’t talk about it more, because I was totally mind-blown by this landmark and I had genuinely not heard about it before my road trip even though I grew up in the state next door.

The museum explains the impact and the evidence behind it in a super interesting way, and you can head outside to look into the crater itself. It wasn’t even very busy when we were driving through!

I found the whole place fascinating. It’s such a unique thing to see on an Arizona road trip (or USA road trip), even one that’s already full of unusual landscapes. Allow time for the museum as well as the viewing areas.

Petrified Forest: A National Park Made for a Road Trip

Continue east toward Winslow and Holbrook, across approximately forever more desert. Petrified Forest is one of the most convenient national parks I’ve visited for a road trip because the sights are arranged along a 28-mile road through the park. You can enter from I-40 in the north and work your way south through the stops in the rder on the map they give you at the visitor center.

First come the Painted Desert viewpoints: Tawa, Pintado, Nizhoni, Whipple… there are so many. You look out over layers of pink, red, and pale-colored hills, take millions of super epic photos, and do it again a little farther along. The colors and bands in the landscape are amazing.

Farther south, the road crosses the old Route 66 alignment (pictured below) and continues toward Blue Mesa, Jasper Forest, and Crystal Forest. Then you get to the petrified wood itself, with all these colors and textures preserved in the logs. Bring your camera for both the huge landscapes and the tiny details.

We tried to fit this into a day when we still needed to get across a lot of the state. By the end, we knew we needed to keep moving, but then another viewpoint would appear. I’d give it at least half a day; exit south onto U.S. 180 and return toward Holbrook to rejoin I-40.

Historic Route 66 Across Arizona: Diners, Desert, and Souvenirs

Route 66 crosses northern Arizona from the New Mexico side toward California. Traveling east to west, you can connect Holbrook, Winslow, Flagstaff, Williams, Seligman, Kingman, and Oatman. This one can become a whole trip across the state.

And if you’re wondering whether Route 66 is now I-40, the answer is… sort of. I-40 replaced or bypassed much of the old route, but historic sections remain. You’ll travel between those roads, town streets, and interstate connections, stopping at old motels, diners, and shops covered in Route 66 memorabilia that feel super retro in a cool way.

I remember pulling off somewhere along this part of my trip for a hot dog and finding stickers, patches, and souvenirs everywhere. I bought a Route 66 patch that I fully intended to sew onto a jacket. Still haven’t… yet.

The historic alignment crosses Petrified Forest, although that section is no longer a drivable road. Farther west, Seligman to Kingman gives you a substantial stretch away from the interstate. The road through the hills toward Oatman adds bends and mountain scenery, too.

Allow several days to enjoy the towns, or weave sections into the other routes here. If you’re continuing west, my California road trip massive looped route has more ideas for the next part of your adventure. Arizona alone could keep you busy for quite a while, though.

Tucson to Mount Lemmon: From Saguaros to Pine Trees

The Catalina Highway climbs out of Tucson into the Santa Catalina Mountains, taking you from cactus country toward pine forests. The air gets cooler as you gain elevation, and the desert opens out below you. It’s a pretty dramatic change for a comparatively short drive that begins so close to the city.

Stop at Windy Point Vista for rocky formations and views back toward Tucson, then continue toward Summerhaven. I love having this sort of mountain scenery in an Arizona itinerary alongside the red rocks and desert. A layer that seemed unnecessary in Tucson can suddenly become very appealing up here.

How to Join These Arizona Road Trips Together

For a northern Arizona trip, start with Phoenix, the Verde Valley, and Sedona, then climb through Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff. From there, head north toward the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley or east toward Meteor Crater and Petrified Forest. Route 66 crosses this part of the state, so you can easily include a few historic stretches.

For something longer, my Southwest national park road trip ideas connect Arizona with places such as Zion and Bryce Canyon in Utah. Tucson and Mount Lemmon work as a southern extension to an Arizona itinerary. Personally, I’d give Sedona several days and Petrified Forest more time than we did – those extra viewpoints got me every time.

Arizona Road Trips FAQs

Is a Sports Car or an SUV Better for an Arizona Road Trip?

For two people enjoying paved scenic roads, a sports car or convertible can make the drive a highlight of the trip. A luxury SUV gives families and groups more space for luggage and longer driving days. Choose around the roads you want to explore, how much you’re bringing, and whether you’re after a special afternoon or a week-long adventure.

Can You Drive the Apache Trail in a Sports Car?

The paved drive from Apache Junction to Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flat is the portion to choose for a sports car. But it’s important to remember to turn around at Tortilla Flat for this outing, because the longer Apache Trail continues into unpaved terrain which suits a different kind of vehicle.

What Is the Most Scenic Drive in Arizona?

For me, the red-rock approach to Sedona followed by Oak Creek Canyon is hard to beat. Mount Lemmon is another contender for its desert-to-forest transformation, while the Apache Trail combines mountains and lake views. Drive yourself and allow time for the overlooks, particularly in the softer morning or late-afternoon light.

When Is the Best Time for an Arizona Road Trip?

Spring and fall are great for combining lower-desert routes with northern Arizona. October through April is especially appealing around Phoenix and Tucson and hotter parts of the state, including for convertible drives, while winter can bring snow near Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon (obviously NOT ideal for convertibles, haha). In summer, I’d favor early desert outings and cooler mountain routes; it’s also monsoon season.

How Many Days Do You Need for an Arizona Road Trip?

A scenic drive near Phoenix can fit into an afternoon, while Sedona and the Verde Valley could easily fill a weekend. A week gives you time for several northern Arizona stops. If you want all of this as well as the gold rush towns, wine regions, Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Petrified Forest together, I’d allow around ten days so there’s time to enjoy the places between the driving.

Well, I hope you have gotten some great inspiration for Arizona Road trips! Let me know in the comments which you choose first.