The drive from Phoenix to Sedona is more than just a trip — it's an experience. It's about a 2‑hour, 117‑mile drive up I‑17, but with these stops it makes an easy full‑day road trip. Wind through desert landscapes, pass by charming towns, and discover incredible stops worth exploring along the way.
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Charming western town with local shops, restaurants, and a taste of old Arizona.
Well-preserved cliff dwellings and a fascinating glimpse into ancient history.
Breathtaking panoramic views — the perfect photo stop.
Historic mining town turned artsy getaway with great food and quirky shops.
Here's a closer look at every recommended stop on the Phoenix to Sedona drive — what to see, why it's worth the detour, and how to fit it into your road trip. Tap "Add this place along your route" on any stop to drop it straight into your itinerary in Outpost Go.
Just 30 minutes north of Phoenix, Cave Creek is the perfect first stop to shake off the city and ease into road-trip mode. This small desert town leans hard into its Old West roots, with saloons, boutique shops, art galleries, and some of the best Sonoran-style Mexican food in the Valley. It's an easy, low-commitment detour that adds a lot of character to the start of the drive.
Give yourself an hour to wander Cave Creek Road, grab a coffee or an early lunch, and browse the Western-wear and turquoise shops before you point the car north toward the high desert. If you're an early starter, this is a great place to fuel up on food and photos before the longer stretch of I-17.
Add this place along your routeRoughly halfway between Phoenix and Sedona near Camp Verde, Montezuma Castle is one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in North America. Built into a limestone cliff more than 600 years ago by the Sinagua people, the five-story structure is a striking, easy-to-reach glimpse into ancient Arizona history — and only a few minutes off I-17.
The paved loop trail is short and mostly flat, so you can see the dwellings, read the interpretive signs, and be back on the road in under an hour. It's a fantastic way to break up the drive with something the whole family will remember, and it makes the Phoenix to Sedona route feel like a real journey rather than just a transfer.
Add this place along your routeIf you take the scenic route toward Jerome, Mingus Mountain rewards you with some of the widest panoramic views in central Arizona. From the overlooks you can see across the entire Verde Valley toward Sedona's red rocks and the Mogollon Rim — a jaw-dropping payoff for barely stepping off the road.
It's the ideal quick photo stop: pull over, stretch your legs, and take in the elevation change as the desert gives way to pine country. Sunset here is especially spectacular if your timing lines up.
Add this place along your routeClinging to the side of Cleopatra Hill, Jerome is a former copper-mining boomtown turned quirky artist enclave — and one of the most characterful stops on the whole drive. Once known as the "wickedest town in the West," it's now full of galleries, wine tasting rooms, historic hotels, and switchback streets with sweeping valley views.
Plan for an hour or two to walk the hilly main street, sample local Verde Valley wine, and soak up the town's famously haunted history. The detour adds time, but Jerome is a genuine highlight and a favorite for anyone who loves offbeat, photogenic small towns.
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Just north of Sedona in Oak Creek Canyon, Slide Rock State Park is a natural water park carved into red sandstone. The creek has smoothed the rock into an 80-foot natural slide, making it one of the most beloved summer swimming holes in Arizona — bring a swimsuit and water shoes.
Beyond the slide, there are shaded picnic spots, short hikes, and historic apple orchards to explore. It gets busy on hot weekends, so arriving early is the move. It's an unforgettable, refreshing stop that turns the Phoenix to Sedona drive into a real day of adventure.
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Oak Creek Canyon is the grand finale of the northern approach to Sedona — a winding scenic byway that drops through towering canyon walls, pine forest, and red-rock switchbacks. Often called one of the most beautiful drives in America, it's the kind of stretch you'll want to take slowly.
Stop at the Oak Creek Canyon Vista overlook for panoramic photos, then let the road unspool toward town. Whether you arrive from the north or loop back up from Sedona, this canyon is a highlight in its own right and a stunning way to bookend the trip.
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Once you reach Sedona, a Pink Jeep Tour is close to a rite of passage. These guided off-road tours take you deep into the red-rock backcountry on trails you can't reach in a regular car — like the famous Broken Arrow route — with expert guides sharing the geology, history, and best photo spots along the way.
Tours range from family-friendly scenic drives to steep, adrenaline-filled climbs, so there's an option for every comfort level. Booking ahead is smart, especially in peak season. It's the perfect high-energy way to cap off your Phoenix to Sedona road trip.
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