They sleep 2 to 5 travelers and free you up to stay wherever youd like: campgrounds, hotels or dispersed camping areas along the way. Arizona has more than 100,000 miles of river, creek, and stream. Only three hours from Phoenix, this small town packs many interesting activities for an exciting weekend. From there, take the 167 north for about an hour and youll hit Valley of Fire State Park, a 40,000-acre sandstone playground of sorts. Subscribe to get notified about new guides, inspiration, deals, and much more! Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Drive 2.5 hours (137 miles) north from the South Rim to Lake Powell, which can serve as your base to explore nearby Antelope Canyon, the lesser (and less touristed) canyons, and Horseshoe Bend, home to one of the best hikes outside the Grand Canyon. A bucket list-level Utah road trip would include all 5 of the states national parks, but if youre looking for a doable weekend getaway, you can knock out Zion and Bryce Canyon in one fell swoop. Bryce Canyon may get fewer visitors 2.6 million in 2018, compared to Zions 4.3 million but dont sleep on Utahs smallest national park. weekend trips from Phoenix, but make sure you also check The east side is larger and more mountainous with many hiking and some camping locations for backpackers. There are plenty of ways for all visitors to enjoy this park. Areas like Bryce Canyon Amphitheater and the parks main viewpoints are worth the drive, and if you have time to wander, there are plenty of mild and challenging hikes in the park. Carmel Highway for slow, gorgeous views (check for closures before you go). Tony Curtis!). See our editorial policy to learn more. Theres a raw energy here amid the red rock buttes and canyons; wellness retreats and crystal shops enhance the spiritual vibe. This route offers miles of cacti-blanketed desert, twisty mountain passes, and the lush greenery of the Kaibab National Forest. In addition, to protect the most vulnerable borrowers from the worst consequences of missed payments following the payment restart, the Department is instituting a 12-month "on-ramp" to . 1. The last set of places are common driving destinations outside Arizona. Set aside the obvious reasons for a Vegas road trip and consider this a more outdoorsy trip. Another popular tool is the time difference . >>Next: Plan Your Trip With AFARs Travel Guide to Arizona, AFAR participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase an item featured on our site. 2023 AFAR Media. The purpose of this chart is to give an estimation, not an exact time or distance, from City Hall, in downtown. Beyond Payson is Pinenamed after the huge, centuries-old ponderosa pines that grow in the surrounding Tonto National Forestand Strawberryhome to the world's largest naturaltravertine bridge. It's hard to answer without knowing what you enjoy. . If you go: Get off the Strip: 7 Outdoor Activities in Las Vegas; 9 incredible outdoor adventures near Las Vegas youve probably never considered. While visiting, check out Watson Lake located near Prescott. I could have taken photos there all day. Prescott. Hermosa Beach Manhattan Beach Venice Beach Boardwalk Abbot Kinney Venice Beach Malibu Santa Monica Pier Third Street Promenade Santa Monica Beverly Hills LACMA Hollywood Griffith Observatory Universal Studios Hollywood Cities 8 hours from Phoenix 7 hr 59 min: Sawpit, CO 7 hr 58 min: Riverkern, CA 7 hr 58 min: Richfield, UT 7 hr 58 min: Alcalde, NM *Passport or Passport Card required.All mileage and time estimates were obtained from various online mapping services. You can pick one up at their Phoenix Depot, located near Sky Harbor and open 7 days a week. Read on for a first-timers guide to the Grand Canyon. You can also research some of the best camping in Arizona ahead of time. Hikes, relaxation, scenic drives, and city life are all options within a few hours drive of the Arizona capital! I've been to Ash Fork and Williams and the Grand Canyon. 12 hours sounds extreme to me, but it seems like there's more of a road trip culture in the middle of the country. Lemmon; Your guide to a lovely, cool day on the mountain, This southeast Arizona trip gains steam in Benson, where you can make a detour to Kartchner Caverns to the south or hit Singing Wind Bookshop, the headquarters for books about the Southwest.. Search for vacation spots within driving distance for a day trip or weekend getaway. The Grand Canyon's North Rim is a fantastic spot to escape the summer throngs that often crowd scenic byways, shuttles, and trails along the more developed South Rim. run the length of the park, but less-traveled backcountry roads are a great way to explore the outer reaches of Joshua Tree. The drive from Phoenix to Page is just over 4 hours. If you go: Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley: An Arizona Road Trip; 15 Things To Know Before Visiting Monument Valley Park. Whether you enjoy museum trips and cultural landmark excursions, long autumnal hiking mornings in the crisp weather, picturesque and scenic drives along the serene desert landscape, or enjoying concerts, events, and dining establishments, there is something for every kind of traveller in the state of Arizona. Do Arizonans actually drive down into Mexico to any of these places? If you're planning a road trip, you might be interested in seeing the total driving distance from Phoenix, AZ to Dallas, TX. Roll out of Scottsdale after a leisurely breakfast and aim for Sedona, one of the top destinations in the state (after, you know, that giant canyon). Depending on the mode of transport you pick, smappen looks at lots of criteria (speed limit on each type of road (city, countryside, highway, etc. Travel northwest from Payson to explore Pine, Strawberry and areas like Tonto Natural Bridge or Blue Ridge Reservoir. Its also one of Sedonas four major vorticescenters of heightened spiritual and metaphysical energy that can be experienced with .7-mile (steep) hike to a plateau with unreal views of Verde Valley. Here's the quick answer if you have friends taking shifts as driver so that you can make the entire trip by car without stopping. How Do Pilots Make Up Time En Route After a Flight Delay? End your day hiking up to Cathedral Rock. $1902+ Air & 10-Day Delightful Islands of Croatia Tour. These cities are much further than the ones above since now we're looking at a 10 hour flight. No matter how you explore Arizona and beyond, the important part is to remember the journey is the destination, even if that sounds like a fortune cookie clich. Top 11 Weekend Getaways From Phoenix - Trips To Discover If youre visiting all weekend, spend your next day at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge for a chance to see a variety of birds and other mammal wildlife. With so many weekend getaways from Phoenix to choose from, there is something for any type of traveler. View 56 Photos. Drive back to Phoenix . 7 hour drive from Phoenix Megan is from Virginia and Aram is from Armenia. Theyre the most iconic cacti that youd think of when you imagine the wild west of Arizona. Of course that's why we moved to Oregon, and now we can vacation in Arizona instead. Here are more cities based How far is Phoenix from Denver? Day Trips from Phoenix: Prescott (1 hour 50 min) 10. Drive 3.5 hours (195 miles) east of the South Rim for three national wonders: the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park, and Canyon de Chelly National Monument. You made it! If you have a little bit more time, consider extending your Arizona road trip with these add-ons. If the weather is nice, head outdoors to the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, where you can enjoy the beauty of the Sonoran desert while hiking, biking, fishing, or camping. Whether you are spiritual or not, the natural wonders of this environment are enjoyed by all. Trips to northern Arizona locations like the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell are just a few commonly operated trips out of Flagstaff. Youll find fewer visitor services, but fewer tourists as well. 1. Its a 4.5-hour drive from the South Rim, but it can be worth the extra effort for a quieter experience. Driving Time From Phoenix to Other Arizona Cities I like to see more scenic stuff. Flight distance: 585 miles or 942 km. within 4 hours of me in Phoenix There are plenty of places to stay in the surrounding town, ranging from quaint Airbnbs to common hotels. Problem with the data? Located just outside of Vegas is Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the largest national recreation area in the US. It ends in Denver, Colorado. From Phoenix, find the shortest route to I-17 North, take 1-17 North to 1-40, and head west on I-40 to Highway 64. If you go: A Road Trip to Mt. 12 Amazing Weekend Trips from Phoenix, Arizona What are major cities without a Martin Luther King Jr Drive? Make sure to check out the historical buildings of Yuma, such as the Yuma Territorial Prison and Castle Dome Mines Museum and ghost town, with more than 50 old buildings. If youre traveling with kids, check out Slide Rock State Park. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. 25 Best Day Trips from Phoenix - VacationIdea.com drive for about 2 hours. driving 300 miles from Phoenix Monument Valley is famous for its red sandstone mesas, buttes, and spires that tower over the desert. More experienced hikers can take Bright Angel to Three-Mile Resthouse, or South Kaibab to Cedar Ridge. WITHIN HOURS Find places 1 hour 1-1/2 hours 2 hours 2-1/2 hours 3 hours 3-1/2 hours 4 hours 4-1/2 hours 5 hours 6 hours 50 miles 100 miles 150 miles 200 miles 250 miles 300 miles 350 miles 400 miles from me 9 hours from Phoenix, cities within 10 miles of me in Phoenix If you have a car with high clearance, you can continue pretty far on some of the unpaved roads back there. Christmas flight canceled strangers drive rental to Sacramento | The In six hours you could get to Hollywood or even Vaughn, NM {-: (I just picked out a spot on the map). Its usually a relaxing day spent at Goldwater Lake, eating downtown at Bills Pizza, playing in the courthouse plaza grass, and visiting the Sharlot Hall Museum. Explore the gorgeous architecture and amazing walking tours available here. En route to Payson via the scenic State Route 87 (also known as Beeline Highway, which stretches about 90 miles between Phoenix and Payson), you'll witness the lower desert gradually turn into high-country pine forest. on a flight circle radius of 10 hours. During the warmer months, road trippers may want to focus on destinations north, at higher elevations. 12 Epic Places to Go Snowboarding and Skiing Near Phoenix - Urban Outdoors In Tucson it's not hard to find a spot that fits your style and budget and FYI, there areplenty of options under $100 a night. This ones a no-brainer, sure, but there are ways to avoid the more touristy version of Grand Canyons South Rim. within 6 hours of Phoenix Likewise, as far as the times from one point to another are concerned, people drive differently, during different times of the day and week, and road conditions and restrictions happen. Los Angeles, San Diego, Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, Yosemite Park, Mammoth Lakes, Sacramento. Get a full list of up to 500 cities nearby Phoenix. Here you can hang out near a lake, go for a hike, spend your weekend camping, or drive the scenic road through the mountains with desert views in the distance. Some of the things weve covered include: Airbnbs and hotels. Lee Canyon (Nevada) Distance from Phoenix: 349 miles/5 hours 40 minutes Ability Level: Mostly intermediate and advanced How to Get There: The easiest way to get to Lee Canyon from Phoenix is by car, or by flying into Las Vegas (LAS) and then driving. driving 8 hours from Phoenix Tucson is just under 2 hours southeast of Phoenix so start your weekend trip with breakfast in Phoenix and make it to Tucson by mid-day and check out the historic San Xavier del Bac Mission church. Quaint shopping, outdoor activities and room to explore can easily occupy your weekend on Mt. Nonstop drive: 864 miles or 1390 km. Best Road Trip Destinations From Phoenix Mission of San Xavier del Bac (1 hour 50 min) 14. Combined entry to Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot costs $10. From its beautiful mountains in the backdrop of lush green woods, Colorado Springs is truly the ideal weekend getaway. While driving by the beautiful panoramic route, you will witness architecture and culture representing the Navajo lifestyle as well as the tranquil desert lands. Use the road trip planner to drive from Phoenix to Fargo using the best route and find places to stop. Gigantic saguaro cacti, beautiful desert sunsets, and rugged mountains are a few of the wonders that make up Saguaro National Park. If you go: 8 Things You Cant Miss on Your First Visit to Joshua Tree; A Guide to Californias Joshua Tree National Park. In the spring we trade the rising heat for cooler temps up north. Over the course of four hours, our guide, Wyatt, shared insights about local vegetation and wildlife, covered the history of the land, and even took us on some secluded trails. Take a Related read: 7 Spectacular Places to See Arizonas Fall Colors, Related read: 15 Unforgettable Romantic Getaways in Arizona. Grab a quick breakfast in town then head to Horseshoe Bend to see where the Colorado River meanders 270 degrees. within 150 miles of Phoenix The best road trips from Phoenix, Arizona explore 2 hours from Phoenix These estimated deals are intended for general educational purposes only and are not offers for vehicle sale or finance. driving 300 miles from Phoenix Petrified Forest National Park. drive for 450 miles from Phoenix Its a short drive to the Grand Canyons South Rim from Sedona, so if you set out in the morning, youll still have time to stop for lunch in hippie college town Flagstaff and make it to the canyon for the sunset. With so many things to do in this central Arizona location, Prescott is a great weekend getaway from Phoenix. A few main roads Pinto Basin and Park Blvd. An average road trip from Phoenix to Salt Lake City would take about 10.5 hours, making it a good daytime travel journey. Its one of two large reservoirs in town with the surrounding land preserved for recreation. 10 Best Road Trips From Phoenix, Arizona The downtown is known for its live music venues, bars, and historic Whiskey Row featuring . This scenic drive takes you near the towers and at the visitor center, you can get a fact book to learn about the significance of each one. This desert journey takes you through three icons of the Southwest, starting with Petrified Forest National Park, a low-key park with less than 700,000 visitors each year. A four-hour drive without any stops, it is also the fastest way to get there. stretch of dirt with very little shade, warns AFAR local expert Katarina Kovacevic, but its a scenic adventure through and through. You can gain access to insider knowledge to save money by using the GasBuddy gas calculator. of distances for surrounding towns between 0 and 25 miles from Phoenix in miles and kilometers within 30 minutes to a 1 hour drive traffic . The city of Colorado Springs is a days drive away from Phoenix and is a great place to visit. Her campaigns to preserve the area date back to the 1920s, and shes one of the main reasons the park exists today. Web Visit website. Romantic Day Trips from Phoenix: Saguaro Lake (50 min) 13. About an hour and a half north of Phoenix are two national monuments commemorating the indigenous peoples of the Southwest. As such a large national park, its important to know what part you plan to explore when you take a road trip here. The road trip will take you about 12 hours to drive through, and the road is extremely scenic with plenty of wildlife and forests on the way. Arizona is filled with natural beauty, unique cities, and colorful towns all making for the perfect weekend trips from Phoenix. Heres a look at our favorite routes. 2 hours from Phoenix Drive back to Phoenix: 4 hours, 20 minutes. They figured by starting the 12-hour drive from Phoenix by 1 a.m., they'd get back in time for Christmas. Explore the historic buildings in Grand Canyon Village, including El Tovar Hotel and Lookout Studio, and visit the Yavapai Geology Museum, which offers guided park ranger talks on the geology of the area. (Do a quick search on the following sites). This will keep everyone comfortable and give you lots of opportunities to explore along your route. Pull into LAuberge de Sedona, a few minutes from the shops, galleries, and restaurants of Sedona, but tucked away along the banks of quiet-flowing Oak Creekits one of the Southwests most romantic hideaways, says AFAR contributor Bob Payne. Seen in: Arizona, Things to Do in Arizona. distance of 250 miles from Phoenix You can also enjoy the rich Mexican cuisine that is served in most of the dining establishments and eateries here. It gets very hot in the summer with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees F and heat exhaustion is a serious concern. Its a well-maintained (but steep!) At first glance, you might only see shades of beige as you drivemany homes are designed to complement the desert landscapebut look closer, and youll notice dusty green saguaro cacti, wildflower pops of canary yellow, and enough aquamarine pools to make you wonder why you live in the frozen tundra up north. You will surely be impressed but reserve a spot early as these tours fill quickly. drive for 450 miles from Phoenix Southwest grill Mariposa comes with a side of red rocksopt for outdoor seatingand fantastic handmade empanadas, tacos, and spicy margaritas. Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets runs every hour on the half-hour and is a better primer on the canyons history than other films offered at the visitor center. Is that still safe to venture into? The pair grabbed a rental car and offered Converse, until then a stranger, a seat. Its a huge natural waterslide flowing through the red rocks near Sedona, just south of Flagstaff. 12 hours from Phoenix Places to visit about 12 hours from Phoenix 568 miles northeast of Phoenix: Denver Colorado Springs 586 miles west of Phoenix: Big Sur 637 miles northwest of Phoenix: Carmel By the Sea Carmel Monterey Santa Cruz Golden Gate Park Mission District San Francisco Union Square San Francisco Chinatown Golden Gate Bridge Unlike most of our itineraries, this is a choose your own adventure trip based on how much of Route 66 youd like to see. Casa Grande Ruins National Monument (1 hour Day Trip from Phoenix) 12. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. (Anyone whos camped at the Grand Canyon knows it gets cold at nightlike, sleep in the car with your shoes on cold.). Prescott is about 90 minutes from our place in the West Valley, so its an easy day option when we need to get out of Phoenix fast and without much planning. Show where is reachable from. Get the best prices at the perfect time. The vistas looking out at this incredible wonder are almost too much to take in! To make a longer road trip of it, take 89A from Prescott to Jerome (or vice versa for downhill views), a winding 35-mile stretch that passes by Mingus Mountain, its historic lookout tower, and a number of picnic areas and campgrounds. Prescott, founded after the discovery of gold in 1863, was the first permanent capital of the Arizona Territory. Prescott is located in central Arizona about two hours from Phoenix. Take a shuttle to see some of the more scenic areas like Court of the Patriarchs, or drive the Zion-Mt. Because Flagstaff is located near many of Arizonas beautiful wonders, many commercial tours pick guests up here. Canyonlands National Park, Utah: 459 miles 7.5 hours. hyper-local caf that seems to be universally beloved by travelers, and a stroll down historic Whiskey Row, which was home to 40-odd saloons during its gold rush heyday. Check out old-school attractions such as wooden wagons and cobblestone sidewalks. Worst U.S. cities to own or drive an automobile, Best Cities Where Happy Hours Have Active Participation. Permits for hiking, backpacking, commercial photography, and commercial filming are required. Then head to Saguaro National Park, one of the most undiscovered national parks in the US, for the evening when temperatures are cooler and the golden hour lighting makes for the perfect photo opportunity of the Saguaro cacti. 15.12: 24.33: Arizona: United States: SW . 400 mile drive from Phoenix You can stroll along a paved path at the rim or hike part of the way or all the way down into the canyon. 350 mile trip starting from Phoenix cities within 1 hour of Phoenix Best Phoenix Day Trips | Grand Canyon, Sedona & Prescott Gold Canyon, Arizona Lost Dutchman State Park over the Superstition Mountains. A pastrami sandwich in Flagstaff? The Grand Canyon, Saguaro cacti, and the Sonoran Desert offer sites of varying landscapes throughout the state. If youre visiting for the day, take Desert View Drive out to The Watchtower, and be sure to go upstairs for a 360 view from 70 feet up. Payson is a solid jumping-off point for exploring the Mogollon Rim, an impressive 200-mile escarpment that runs more than half the east-west length of Arizona. $1999+ The Newbury Boston | 3rd Night Free. Take scenic drives on the north or south rim or the White House Trail to fully appreciate the park. within. However, a road trip to this place would take you over 14 hours! For each itinerary, weve explored some of the best things to do, where to stay and how to get there. 11 Top-Rated Day Trips from Phoenix There is an east and west side of the park. Sedona is a 2-hour drive from Phoenix. Montezuma Castle is a preserved and protected display of authentic Sinagua cliff dwellings that are believed to have been built between 1100 and 1425 CE. The drive from Phoenix to Page is just over 4 hours. day 3 driving 5 hours. How about Puerto Penasco? The Sky Island Scenic Byway climbs more than 6,000 feet from desert to forest in less than 30 miles, but youll feel a world away from the bustling city below. This city is located right along the historic Route 66 so youll see plenty of old-time souvenirs in any shops you visit. Before you get there, though, youll hit beautiful red-rock country in the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona in all its hiking glory. ), 13 Best Things to Do in Honningsvg, Norway (+ North Cape! 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > 10-01-2013, 11:05 AM Min-Chi-Cbus Location: Minneapolis (St. Louis Park) 5,991 posts, read 9,832,723 times Reputation: 4390 Advertisements Seattle to SF is over 13 hours, but who's counting? Find cities within a 8 hours radius of me in Phoenix and look for places to visit within a 8.5 hours drive. Its a great photo spot but get here early to avoid the crowds. For families, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa has a full-blown water playground with a three-story waterslide and a Camp Hyatt for kids ages 3 to 12. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Bonus: Its a short walk from Old Town Scottsdale. Breweries, coffee shops and other small businesses give the town a distinct local vibe that offers a refreshing contrast to the Valleys impersonal sprawl. Believe us: Proper Meats and Provisions, a local, whole animal butcher shop, has one of the best outside NYC. 7 hour drive from Phoenix Next, youll roll through Cochise, named for the 19th century Chiricahua Apache leader, and its scattering of buildings and cemeteries. Located on Lake Havasu Its probably the best place to sit on a sandy beach in Arizona. About an hour and a half north of Phoenix are two national monuments commemorating the indigenous peoples of the Southwest. are very long drives for leisure more part of the culture out there? These are approximate driving times in a radius from Phoenix, Arizona. This is a really long drive, so it's not very realistic to drive nonstop. Photo by Malgorzata Litkowska/Shutterstock. If you go: Plan Your Grand Canyon Visit; The Grand Canyon: how to get the most from a short trip. road conditions around Phoenix. Grand Canyon National Park (3 hours 20 minutes) 11. Guale Mesa #2 - Big Bend Ranch State Park, Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways. Enjoy and absorb the amazing Tex-Mex blend of cultures here. Want more restaurant choices? Are Desert cities good places to live for Asthmatics? Like many cities in Arizona, Prescott is steeped in Native American history. For experienced road trippers, San Antonio lies at a great distance from Phoenix, taking you about 13 hours to reach on average. Search for vacation spots within driving distance for a day trip or weekend getaway. You can drive down from Phoenix in about six and a half hours, making it a lovely road trip for sure. As one of the most culturally forward destinations in the vicinity, Santa Fe holds a special place in the hearts of the residents of New Mexico. How far is Phoenix from Denver - driving distance - Trippy To learn more about what you can see on each route, weve included links to extra resources. About 115 miles from Phoenix, Sedona has four main vortex sites: Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon, and Airport Mesa. If you are travelling with multiple people, it can also be fun to take turns completing the long journey. Usually, the flight time will be shorter, but if the destination is close, the driving time can still be reasonable. The downtown is known for its live music venues, bars, and historic Whiskey Row featuring saloons from the Gold Rush era that were rebuilt after a fire destroyed them in 1900. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests.