San Diego to Sedona Road Trip
Take your pick from dunes, rivers, and ancient indigenous architecture. Here are the best stops on the seven-hour San Diego to Sedona road trip. Let’s go!
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
Table of Contents
- Key trip details
- Yuma, AZ
- Gila Bend, AZ
- Peoria, AZ
- Cordes Lakes, AZ
- Rimrock, AZ
- Tips for road-tripping in Arizona
- Why you need roadside assistance
- Finding cheap car insurance
- FAQs
Load full table of contents
Your route begins on I-8 east and then turns north following the Gila River. Whether you like ghost towns or national parks, you’ll find something incredible on this road trip. If you’re concerned about a flat tire or getting stranded in the desert, add
Jerry’s
roadside assistance to your car insurance
. Ready? Let’s hydrate and hit the road.
Key trip details
Distance: 450 miles
Driving time: 7 hours and 14 minutes
Suggested length of trip: 1 to 3 days
Itinerary
- San Diego, CA—Half a day
- Yuma, AZ—Half a day
- Gila Bend, AZ—1 to 2 days
- Peoria, AZ—Half a day
- Cordes Lakes, AZ—Half a day
- Rimrock, AZ—1 to 2 days
Yuma, AZ
172 miles, 2.5 hours
An easy drive from San Diego, Yuma is a natural stopping point on the first leg of your journey. You can marvel at the Colorado River, stretch your legs at the dunes, and fuel up with snacks for the rest of your trip.
To get to Yuma, follow the I-8 E and take exit 172.
Where to eat in Yuma
- Lutes Casino($): A historical fixture on Yuma’s dining scene, this restaurant is full of retro memorabilia, pinball machines, and billiard tables. Their American and Mexican menu is legendary, and we recommend trying out their potato tacos or the Lutes Especial.
What to do in Yuma
- West Wetlands Park: Yuma is known as the sunniest city on earth, and this spot is the perfect place to soak in the rays! It’s a casual area to explore the Colorado River, and the dunes of the Sonoran Desert are stunning.
- Yuma Territorial Prison Park: This is located north of Yuma in the Castle Dome Mines Museum & Ghost Town, a fascinating recreation of an old mining town. This prison housed wild west criminals in the late 1800s, making for an interesting pitstop.
Gila Bend, AZ
116 miles, 2 hours
After some more time on the road, Gila Bend is the perfect place to pull over and get outdoors. The town is named after the spot where the Gila River makes a ninety-degree turn north. The area around Gila is beautiful, and the town is a living tribute to survival in the desert.
Continue on the I-8 E until you reach exit 115 to arrive in Gila Bend!
Where to stay in Gila Bend
- Space Age Lodge: With clean, comfy rooms and quirky space-themed decorations, this is a great choice if you need to stop for the night and rest up. Cost per night: from $110.
Where to eat in Gila Bend
- Sofia’s Mexican Restaurant($): For a quick bite to eat, guaranteed to fill your tummy, check out this hidden gem of a Mexican restaurant. We recommend trying their tacos, enchiladas, or rice and beans.
What to do in Gila Bend
- Painted Rock Petroglyphs: Check out this historic marvel by taking the turn-off right before Gila Bend. You can view hundreds of prehistoric rock sketchings created thousands of years ago and walk through several hiking trails on-site.
- Margie’s Cove Trail: This is a great option for a desert hike that’s not too far off your route. The full route is around 7.4 miles long, so pack and prep accordingly!
Key Takeaway We recommend packing extra water if you are road-tripping in Arizona. You never know when you’ll get stranded, or if you might pass someone who needs assistance! Water could save your life in the desert, and it doesn’t cost you anything to pack a few extra bottles.
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Peoria, AZ
66 miles, 1 hour
If you need a quick stopover but want to avoid the crowds of Phoenix, Peoria is a good choice. Since it’s suburban, you can easily find the goods and services you need. But since it’s on the outskirts, you’ll enjoy plenty of access to outdoor recreation.
To get to Peoria, take the AZ-85 until you reach exit 10.
Where to eat in Peoria
- Driftwood Coffee Co.($): This craft coffee shop has specialty java creations, tea, and pastries. It’s a great pitstop to grab some snacks and drinks for the road!
- Ruby’s Food Truck($): You can’t go wrong with a single item off of the menu from this food truck serving authentic Mexican cuisine. The birria tacos are a fan favorite amongst local diners, so give it a try!
What to do in Peoria
- Peoria West Wing Mountain Preserve: This hike provides great views of the Arizona landscape and can be a great calorie burner. Make it in time for the sunrise and the beautiful sight will make the early morning hike well worth it!
Cordes Lakes, AZ
62 miles, 1 hour
Not far from Peoria is Cordes Lakes, which sits on the edge of the mesa and is in direct proximity to some impressive sites. The town is tiny but mighty, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.
Take the I-17 N and take exit 262 to reach Cordes Lakes.
Where to eat in Cordes Lakes
- 50s Diner Backseat Bar($$): This restaurant offers up superb American fare in a lively and welcoming atmosphere. We’d recommend trying their Reuben, and pairing it with their French dip!
What to do in Cordes Lakes
- Arcosanti: Built in the 1970s based on arcology-minded design theory, this is an urban living experience that is vertically oriented and environmentally conscious. A must-see for its stunning architecture (and good food!)
- Agua Fria National Monument and Pueblo La Plata: The Agua Fria monument is an impressive mosaic of mesas, canyons, and even a dormant volcano (amongst other sights!). Pueblo La Plata can be found within Agua Fria and stands as the remains of a one-time village that existed between AD 1200 and 1450. It makes for a beautiful, memorable experience.
Rimrock, AZ
34 miles, ½ hour
If you’re a hiking fiend, then make one final stop in Rimrock. The town is near several nationally recognized sites that are well-suited for a brief afternoon stroll.
Continue on the I-17 N and take exit 293 to arrive in Rimrock.
Where to eat in Rimrock
- El Patio Bar & Grill($$): A well-loved local hotspot, serving fresh, flavorful Mexican fare. The interior space is cozy, and the outdoor patio makes for a lively dining experience.
What to do in Rimrock
- Montezuma CastleandMontezuma Well: This Castle stands as the reminder of ingenuity and survival of its prehistoric inhabitants, while the nearby Well is accessible to hike by and explore. You absolutely must make the short drive to visit these incredible monuments
- V Bar V Heritage Site: Home to the largest known petroglyph (rock carving) in central Arizona, this site in Beaver Creek is also one of the best-preserved. Take in this historic sight and then settle in the Beaver Creek area is perfect for a relaxing rest beside running water.
Pro Tip Be proactive and make sure your tank is filled, and refilled frequently, to ensure you don’t get stranded in the middle of your desert adventure!
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Tips for road-tripping in Arizona
High temperatures and dusty road conditions can be hard on your vehicle. Make sure to check your fluids (especially coolant) before you hit the road. Fill your tires to the recommended amount, too, as underinflated tires on hot pavement can be dangerous.
Arizona has a "move over" law, which says that you should move over (if possible) when you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road. This allows them plenty of space to perform their work safely.
Why you need roadside assistance
You can’t fix everything yourself. Sometimes, you just need someone to bring you a spare tire or pull your vehicle out of a ditch.
On a road trip, however, your usual network is out of reach. If you can’t call your parents or your best friend, who will you call when you need help?
Jerry’s
roadside assistance membership is only $6.99 and it covers most of the disasters that might befall you on a road trip. From winching to fuel delivery and lockout assistance, Jerry is about to be your new road trip bestie—and don’t worry, Jerry doesn’t backseat drive.Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
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Finding cheap car insurance
If you want to save money on car insurance, the
Jerry app
is a good place to start. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding the cheapest quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even cancel your old policy for you.And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This level of service is why Jerry earned a 4.6/5 rating on the App Store and made it the top insurance app in the country.
FAQs
How to drive in the desert in winter
Follow these three tips: 1) Keep your gas tank as full as possible, 2) Pack emergency supplies like food and blankets, and 3) Make sure your tires are properly inflated and drive cautiously.
Where to camp near Sedona
There are a lot of great camping options near Sedona. Chavez Crossing Group Campground is suitable for tents, trailers, and small RVs. Lo-Lo-Mai Springs Campground offers rustic cabin rentals as well as tent sites. You can also find dispersed campsites in the area if you are
car camping
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