If you are driving from Phoenix to Sedona for the first time, the simplest and most rewarding route is to take Interstate 17 north and then exit onto SR-179, the Red Rock Scenic Byway. The full drive is about 113.4 miles (182.5 km) and usually takes around 2 hours, but the last stretch into Sedona is the part most people remember: red rock formations, wider views, and easy access to some of the area’s best short stops.
This means the “scenic route” from Phoenix to Sedona is not really a completely different road from the standard drive. For most travelers, it is the standard drive done properly: get to Sedona via I-17, then enjoy the SR-179 approach, where landmarks like Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte start to dominate the landscape.
Quick answer: the best route from Phoenix to Sedona
The most straightforward route is:
- Drive north on I-17 from Phoenix for about 98.4 miles (158.4 km)
- Take exit 298
- Turn onto SR-179 and continue for about 14.2 miles (22.9 km) into Sedona
That final 14.2-mile (22.9-km) section is the scenic payoff. Within the Coconino National Forest, the officially designated Red Rock Scenic Byway covers 7.5 miles (12.1 km) and is recognized as an All-American Road. It is short, but it packs in the most iconic views of the drive.
If you want an alternate approach, Visit Sedona also lists a route via exit 287, AZ-260, and AZ-89A. That option can make sense if you want to enter Sedona from a different direction, but for first-time visitors, the I-17 to SR-179 route is the cleanest and most visually rewarding arrival.
Is the drive from Phoenix to Sedona worth it?
Yes. It is one of the easiest Arizona road trips to do in a half day or full day. You can drive it straight through in about 2 hours, or stretch it into most of a day by adding one or two worthwhile stops on the way north. The key is not trying to cram in every possible detour. A better plan is to choose one stop before Sedona and one stop after you reach the SR-179 corridor.
Best stops on the scenic drive from Phoenix to Sedona
Not every place between Phoenix and Sedona deserves equal time. These are the most practical stops if you want a road trip that still feels efficient.
1) Arcosanti
Arcosanti is an unusual architecture stop in central Arizona, built around Paolo Soleri’s “arcology” concept. It sits roughly an hour from Phoenix, which makes it a reasonable early break in the drive if you want something more distinctive than a gas station stop. The site’s visitor center is open Thursday through Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and access to the grounds and architecture requires a guided tour. Public tours are also offered Thursday through Monday.
This is the stop to choose if you want design, architecture, and something that feels genuinely different. It is not the best pick if your priority is getting to Sedona quickly.
2) Montezuma Castle National Monument
If you want the most reliable cultural stop on this route, make it Montezuma Castle National Monument. The monument is just off I-17 near Camp Verde, and it preserves a cliff dwelling built by ancestral Sinagua people. The site is much stronger than the original article suggested because it is a real, high-value stop with straightforward logistics.
The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and the standard entrance fee is $10 per adult for visitors aged 16 and over; children 15 and under are free. The same entrance covers both Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot for 7 days. Montezuma Well, a separate part of the monument located about 11 miles (17.7 km) away, does not charge an entrance fee.
This is the best stop on the route if you want a short, high-interest break that adds substance to the drive without turning the day into a full detour.
3) Bell Rock Pathway
Once you are on SR-179, the Bell Rock Pathway becomes one of the easiest scenic stops to justify. From the Sedona exit off I-17 at exit 298, the Southern Trailhead is about 8.3 miles (13.4 km) away on SR-179. The Midway Trailhead is another 1.1 miles (1.8 km) farther north, and the Northern Trailhead is another 1.6 miles (2.6 km) beyond that.
The pathway itself is about 3.6 miles (5.8 km) long and gives you close-up views of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and the broader red rock landscape. If you leave your vehicle at a fee site on the Coconino National Forest, you need a recreation pass. The Forest Service notes that many Sedona-area sites accept a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass, but some separate concessionaire-managed sites use different fees, so it is worth checking before you park.
This is one of the best stops on the route because it delivers the exact scenery people are usually hoping to see when they search for this drive.
4) Little Horse Trail
If you want a hike rather than a viewpoint stop, Little Horse Trail No. 61 is a better choice than trying to force a random scenic pull-off into your day. The trailhead sits about 3.6 miles (5.8 km) south of the junction of SR-179 and SR-89A in Sedona.
This stop works best once you have already committed to spending time in Sedona, not as a quick roadside pause. It is the right add-on if your goal is to turn the drive into a hiking day.
5) Schnebly Hill Road and Schnebly Hill Vista
Schnebly Hill Vista is the stop that most needs a reality check. The views are excellent, but the Forest Service is unusually blunt here: do not attempt to drive up Schnebly Hill from Sedona without a high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicle. The vista can also be reached from the top via I-17 and the Schnebly Hill exit, with about 5.7 miles (9.2 km) of forest road to the viewpoint.
That makes this an optional, conditions-dependent detour, not a casual addition for every traveler. The Forest Service also maintains a current forest roads status page, and road closures for motorized traffic do happen, so check conditions before you commit.
Stops you can skip unless you have extra time
Agua Fria National Monument
Agua Fria National Monument is about 40 miles (64.4 km) north of Phoenix and is open year-round. It is free to visit and can be interesting if you specifically want desert archaeology, remote landscapes, or a more rugged public-lands stop.
But for most readers searching “scenic route from Phoenix to Sedona,” it is not the most efficient inclusion. It makes more sense as a separate monument stop than as a core part of the Sedona drive.
A practical one-day Phoenix to Sedona itinerary
If you want to turn this into a clean day trip, this is the version that makes the most sense:
- Leave Phoenix in the morning
- Stop at Montezuma Castle National Monument for 45 to 90 minutes
- Continue north to Sedona via SR-179
- Stop at Bell Rock Pathway for a short walk or photo stop
- Spend the rest of the day in Sedona
This gives you one cultural stop and one scenic stop without wrecking your timing.
What to know before driving from Phoenix to Sedona
1) The drive is easy, but the scenery improves late
The first long stretch on I-17 is functional. The more dramatic scenery arrives as you approach Sedona and especially once you are on SR-179. That is why the route should be framed as “easy highway drive with a scenic finish,” not as a nonstop scenic road from the moment you leave Phoenix.
2) Parking passes matter in Sedona
At many Sedona-area Forest Service sites, you will need a pass if you leave your vehicle to recreate. The Red Rock & Coconino Passes Program explains which passes apply and where they do not.
3) Do not treat Schnebly Hill like a normal scenic road
This is the biggest correction from the original post. Schnebly Hill is not a casual paved viewpoint drive for standard rental cars. Check road status first, and take the vehicle warning seriously.
4) Check official hours before you go
This matters most for places like Montezuma Castle and Arcosanti, where entry is tied to operating hours or tour schedules.
Phoenix to Sedona drive FAQ
How far is Sedona from Phoenix?
Sedona is about 113.4 miles (182.5 km) from Phoenix via the standard I-17 to SR-179 route.
How long does it take to drive from Phoenix to Sedona?
The drive usually takes about 2 hours, not counting stops.
What is the most scenic part of the drive?
For most travelers, the most scenic part is SR-179 / the Red Rock Scenic Byway, especially the approach into Sedona. The designated byway section is 7.5 miles (12.1 km) long.
What is the best stop between Phoenix and Sedona?
If you want one stop before Sedona, choose Montezuma Castle National Monument. If you want your first stop after reaching red rock country, choose Bell Rock Pathway.
Can you drive Schnebly Hill Road in a regular car?
You should not assume you can. The Forest Service says not to drive up Schnebly Hill from Sedona without a high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicle.
Final takeaway
If you want the best scenic route from Phoenix to Sedona, do not overcomplicate it. Take I-17 north, exit onto SR-179, and treat the Sedona approach as the scenic centerpiece. Add Montezuma Castle if you want history, or Bell Rock Pathway if you want the red rock payoff sooner. Save Schnebly Hill for the right vehicle and the right road conditions.
Scenic route from Phoenix to Sedona
