If you’re heading from Phoenix, Arizona to Springdale, Utah, traveling through Sedona, Tusayan, and Colorado City to Springdale makes for the perfect outdoorsy road trip. (And we’ve hidden a bonus destination for you at the end if you just can’t get enough of this spectacular vacation!)

Whether you’re hitting the road solo or loading up the car with friends, a road trip between

Arizona

and

Utah

has plenty to offer. Make sure you pack your camera because you’re heading through some of the most beautiful spots in the country on this road trip.

Of course, you won’t want to leave before making sure your insurance and roadside assistance plans are in order. Nothing kills the buzz of a road trip faster than a flat tire. Thankfully,

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All set? Then enjoy your road trip from Phoenix to Utah!

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Key trip details

Distance: 480 miles

Driving time: 8 hours and 50 minutes

Suggested length of trip: 2 to 3 days

Itinerary

Phoenix, AZ

Sedona, AZ

Tusayan, AZ

Springdale, UT

Phoenix to Sedona

116 miles, 1 hour 58 minutes

The trip from Phoenix to Sedona isn’t a long one, but the scenery is pretty stunning. As you head north, you’ll admire beautiful rock formations and Native American cliff dwellings. Stop at Montezuma Castle National Monument to see one of the most well-preserved cliff dwellings in the entire continent (it dates back to the 12th century!).

Follow I-17 N to get to Sedona.

Where to stay in Sedona

L’Auberge de Sedona Resort & Spa

: There’s no shortage of hotels in Sedona. If luxury is what you’re after, the L'Auberge de Sedona Resort & Spa will definitely deliver. Complete with gorgeous views, a nature spa, and exceptional cuisine, it’s an incredible place to refresh for a night (or three!) before you jump back in the car for the next leg of your trip. Cost per night: from $779

The Sedona Summit Resort

: This is a more affordable option that provides all the comfort and fun (it has four pools!) at a price tag that’s a little easier to handle. Cost per night: from $149

If you're the outdoorsy type, check out one of these campgrounds and spend the night under the stars:

Manzanita Campground

Slide Rock State Park

Rancho Sedona RV Park

Where to eat in Sedona

Golden Goose American Grill

($$): This spot brings you steak and seafood—the ideal combination.

Elote Cafe

($$): If you’re wanting food that’s a little more unique to Sedona, pick up some Mexican/southwestern food at Elote Cafe.

What to do in Sedona

Take a hike:

, or

for beautiful views of the city’s natural scenery.

Red Rock Scenic Byway: Alternatively, take a scenic drive through Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179) if you’re not in the mood for hiking for your views.

Red Rock State Park

: You’ll definitely need to make sure you stop in Red Rock State Park—and you might want to purchase a National Parks Pass since we’ll be taking you to some more state parks on the back end of your trip!

Pro Tip Buying a National Parks Pass can save you money and give you an easy-in for hours upon hours of affordable entertainment.

MORE:

10 best road trip cars to rent

Sedona to Tusayan

107 miles, 1 hour 52 minutes

As you drive up to Tusayan, you’ll pass through both mountainous greenery and Arizona desert, giving you the full range of Arizonan beauty.

Follow I-40 W followed by AZ-64 N to get to Tusayan.

Where to stay in Tusayan

The Grand Hotel at Grand Canyon

: Hotel snobs will appreciate The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon, just one mile from the South Rim entrance to Grand Canyon National Park. It’s one of the few hotels in the area with an indoor heated swimming pool and hot tub. The hotel’s blend of rustic and modern design will give you an escape from the outside summer heat without having to sacrifice appreciation for the surrounding beauty. Cost per night: from $249

Red Feather Lodge

: This is a better option for those who don’t want to pay luxury prices for accommodations. The lodge offers everything you need—plus they have both hotel and motel accommodations, so you’ll find something to suit your budget. Cost per night: from $125

And whether you are an ultra-penny-pincher or simply want to be outdoors as much as possible, you can check out these great campgrounds:

Mather Campground – Grand Canyon Village

Ten-X Campground

Desert View Campground

Grand Canyon Camper Village

Where to eat in Tusayan

El Tovar Lodge Dining Room

($$$$): This spot will bring you upscale southwestern food, letting you celebrate the Arizona area while keeping some serious class.

Big E Steakhouse & Saloon

($$): Big E is more moderately priced and will have something for everyone— whether it’s their homemade potato chips or beef kabobs.

What to do in Tusayan

The Grand Canyon South Rim: The main treasure of Tusayan? Seeing the Grand Canyon South Rim. The South Rim is known to be the more exciting and scenic rim of the canyon, and you’ll be set to easily find loads of food, lodging, and entertainment options in this hot-spot tourist area.

Hike to see the canyon: There are many ways to see the canyon—of course, hiking is probably primary. Consider the

South Rim Trail

South Kaibab Trail

for some good physical activity.

Bright Angel Bicycle Rentals

: For a two-wheel challenge, rent a bicycle to get some faster-paced views of the Canyon.

Grand Canyon Apache Stables

: The most memorable way to take in your Grand Canyon views? On a horse, of course!

Pro Tip While on your road trip, keep an eye out for national forests. Unlike national parks, national forests are free to visit so they’re a great budget-friendly way to sprinkle in extra destinations to your trip!

MORE:

Road trip essentials

Tusayan to Springdale

256 miles, 4 hours 45 minutes

Next, you’ll drive around the east side of Kaibab National Forest to Springdale,

Utah

—aka Zion National Park. The food options here will be a little more sparse, but the endless outdoor activities will be more than enough to overshadow that.

For the shortest and fastest route to Springdale, take US-89 N and then US-89.

Where to stay in Springdale

Desert Pearl Inn

: If you’re looking for indoor accommodations, try Desert Pearl Inn for a high-end, contemporary setting and easy access to the Zion shuttle. Cost per night: from $299

Zion Cliff Lodge

: Zion Cliff is a bit more budget friendly with a rustic and homey aesthetic. Like Desert Pearl, it provides easy access to the park. Cost per night: from $152

If you can hack it, we recommend camping in or near the park for at least a night or two. Here are some of the most convenient campground options:

Zion Canyon Campground

Bryce Canyon Campground

South Campground Zion National Park

Where to eat in Springdale

Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon

($$): For some more southwestern/Mexican food, stop at Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon. The menu offers various pastas, enchiladas, and our favorite: sweet potato tamales.

Deep Creek Coffee Co.

($$): Every camper needs a caffeine fix, and Deep Creek Coffee Co. can help you out with that. They have snacks, too, so it’s a great late morning stop or afternoon pick-me-up.

What to do in Springdale

In Springdale, you’re going to want to spend your time in Zion National Park.

Angels Landing

: Like to hike? Try out Angels Landing, the hike that brings you the highest view of the park. But take note: the view requires traversing a set of 21 steep, zig-zagging switchbacks and a final mile where the path is no wider than 5 feet with cliff drops on either side.

The Narrows

: Even non-avid hikers will enjoy The Narrows, Zion’s most famous hike. You’ll get to hike through the narrowest part of the canyon, wading through the Virgin River for as many miles as your heart desires through the gorge with 1,000-foot canyon walls towering on either side of you.

Pro Tip Bring water shoes or sneakers with good traction for The Narrows—you’ll be wading in the river most of the hike. And secure your electronics in water-tight bags in case you slip and fall in the water!

Bonus: Bryce Canyon

From Springdale, we recommend taking a day trip up to Bryce Canyon City (the drive is less than 2 hours) to see Bryce Canyon National Park. If you want to check out the park for two (or more) days, you can stay in one of the various campgrounds nearby:

Ruby's Inn Campground and RV Park

North Campground

(Bryce Canyon National Park)

Sunset Campground

(Bryce Canyon National Park)

And to close off your trip, make sure you do some scenic hiking at Bryce!

The Rim Trail

in Bryce Canyon is an easy hike that gives you views into the Canyon

Peekaboo Loop Trail

is moderate at 5.2 miles total (and is even open to horseback riding!)

Navajo Loop

is a shorter (2.2 miles) but more strenuous hike that gives great views of Bryce Amphitheater, the eastern slope of a plateau.

Avid hikers may want to hike the 8-mile

Fairyland Loop

to avoid hiking crowds.

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