Perfect Las Vegas To Sedona Road Trip Itinerary
Are you planning a Las Vegas to Sedona road trip? If so, you’ve landed on the right article.
Sedona is one of the most beautiful cities in the Southwest, with iconic red rocks, top-notch spa resorts, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes you never want to leave. It’s a 4.5 hour drive from Las Vegas, and definitely worth making the road trip if you’ve never visited it.
This article will cover how to get to Sedona from Vegas, with transportation options, the best road trip stops, what to stay, and more.
Here is everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip to Sedona.
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Las Vegas to Sedona Itinerary Overview
- Distance: 4.5 hours/282 miles
- Ideal amount of time: 2-3 days
- Fastest route: US 93, I-40 E & SR 89A
It’s a 4.5 hour drive from Las Vegas to Sedona that’s scenic, and flies by quickly. The drive is mostly over the open desert, where you’ll pass by the cities of Kingman, Williams, and Flagstaff before reaching Sedona.
How To Get To Sedona
Sedona is a 4.5 hour drive from Las Vegas, or a 2 hour drive from Phoenix. There are regular flights between Vegas and Phoenix that are often relatively cheap, so you may want to consider flying into Phoenix.
If you don’t plan on driving, flying into Phoenix is the best option, since there are a variety of group tours available to Sedona.
If you’re driving there yourself, you’ll pass by the charming cities of Kingman, Williams, and Flagstaff, all of which are located along historic route 66! These are the perfect places to stop, refuel, and take photos in front of route 66 attractions.
Best Road Trip Stops
Hoover Dam
As you exit Las Vegas, visit the famous Hoover Dam. This is an iconic 726 foot tall dam that formed Lake Mead and controls the flooding of the Colorado River. Its base is as thick as two football fields, and it’s worth seeing in person to admire its sheer size!
The overlook is completely free to visit, and it has a visitor center that offers self-guided and guided dam tours.
Kingman
To stop and stretch your legs at 1.5 hours into the drive, stop in Kingman. This is a charming small city located along historic Route 66 with museums, diners, and many fun route 66 attractions to take pictures in front of.
Williams
Another fun city to stop in is Williams, which is located at around 3 hours into the drive. It has a variety of little Route 66 attractions, museums, and is less than an hour from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim (main entrance).
Flagstaff
The last place to stop before arriving in Sedona is Flagstaff. This is a beautiful city nestled in the pine forests with a historic downtown area that’s lined with cafes, restaurants, and route 66 attractions.
It’s worth stopping in for a meal, and it’s only an hour’s drive from Sedona.
Optional Detour: Jerome’s Ghost Town
If you’re not in a rush to get to Sedona, you can make a detour into Jerome. This is a small historic mining town perched on Cleopatra hill, only a half hour outside of Sedona. Its main street is lined with quirky gift shops, haunted hotels, restaurants, and more.
It will add around 30 minutes onto your road trip, but it’s worth checking out if you love small ghost towns! Below is the route you’ll take for this detour.
Visiting Sedona
On the quickest route, you’ll enter Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon, a scenic area surrounded by pine trees.
The first place you’ll see as you get in town is the lively Uptown strip, which is dotted with cafes, shops, and restaurants. This is a good place to walk around, shop, and eat when you first arrive.
For the hikes in Sedona, you’ll need to purchase a Daily Red Rock Pass for $5 to park at the trailheads. You can purchase it online beforehand, or at any of the ticketing machines at the trailhead parking lots when you arrive.
Where To Stay In Sedona
Sedona has three main areas to stay in, West Sedona, Uptown, and the Village of Oak Creek. All of these are within a 15 minute drive of another, and near shops, restaurants, and hiking trails.
Hotels in Uptown and the Village of Oak Creek are within walking distance to restaurants, whereas many hotels in West Sedona require you to drive.
Here are some of the best hotels in Sedona.
- Sky Ranch Lodge: Hotel perched on Sedona’s airport hill with an amazing red rock view, pools, hot tubs, and an onsite restaurant
- Enchantment Resort: Luxurious spa resort tucked in West Sedona with a spa, pools, and 2 restaurants, in walking distance to hiking trails
- Los Abrigados Resort: Budget hotel in Uptown with a spa, outdoor pools, and gym, within walking distance to shops and restaurants
- Bell Rock Inn: Quiet hotel in the Village of Oak Creek with a view of Bell Rock, pools, and a gym, in walking distance to shops and restaurants
For a full list of options, check out our guide on where to stay in Sedona.
Sample 2 Day Itinerary
The ideal amount of time to spend in Sedona is 2-3 full days. If you only have 2 days, you have plenty of time to hike, wander around the shops, relax, and try out new restaurants.
Here is a sample 2 day itinerary (See the complete itinerary here).
Day 1: Hiking, Shopping & Sunset Views
Hike Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock
Start your morning off by hiking Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock, Sedona’s two most iconic mountains. Bell Rock is an easy 0.8 mile hike up the mountain, with beautiful red rock views.
Cathedral Rock is a more challenging, uphill 1.1 mile hike to a mountain summit, with spectacular red rock views.
You can hike both of these in a day in 2-3 hours if you’re up for an adventure, but if you only have time for one, I’d opt for Cathedral Rock! Before or after your hike, here are some of my favorite breakfast spots you won’t want to miss in town.
- Sedonuts: Must-try donut shop with fresh donuts and vortex cinnamon rolls
- Coffee Pot: Hearty breakfast spot that makes huge Belgian waffles & amazing huevos rancheros
- Wildflower: Popular cafe/brunch spot with red rock views (GF & vegan-friendly)
Wander Around Tlaquepaque Shopping Village
After stopping downtown for a meal, head to Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. This is a charming outdoor shopping mall with fountains, artisan shops, and art galleries.
Watch The Sunset From Sedona’s Airport Lookout
During golden hour, visit Sedona’s Airport Scenic Lookout to enjoy a gorgeous view of the sun setting over the red rocks. This is an overlook on Sedona’s airport hill, with a large parking lot that charges a parking fee of $3/day.
If you find a parking spot at the bottom of the hill, you can hike up a small hill (Airport Mesa vortex) to get a panoramic view of the mountains!
Day 2: Swimming, Sightseeing & Scenic Jeep Tour
Visit Slide Rock State Park
Cool off on your second day in Sedona by visiting Slide Rock State Park. This is a beautiful state park at the base of Oak Creek Canyon with an 80 ft natural red rock water slide, pools, and picnic areas.
It’s the perfect place to swim and enjoy a day out in the sun with the family. Entrance is $30/vehicle in the spring and summer months, and it’s best to visit early in the morning to avoid crowds.
If you prefer hiking, hike the West Fork Trail instead. This is a scenic hike in Oak Creek canyon with 13 river crossings, and beautiful river scenery all throughout. Parking is $12/vehicle, or you can park further up the highway and walk in for only $4.
Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross
For one of the best views of the red rocks, visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross. This is a unique Roman Catholic church built directly into the red rocks that you can visit for free, and it has a large gift shop on the first floor.
It’s a short uphill walk from the parking lot (free) to the entrance, where you’ll have a lovely view of the red rocks.
Shop For Souvenirs At Son Silver West Art Gallery
To shop for your Sedona souvenirs, head to Son Silver West Art Gallery. This is a charming outdoor art gallery that sells everything from pottery to crystals, and a variety of unique handcrafted souvenirs.
It’s a good stop to make before heading back to Vegas, and it’s open daily from 9am-5:30pm.
Go On A Sunset Jeep Tour
As the sun begins to set, go on a Jeep tour. You’ll get to visit some of the most spectacular vistas in Sedona’s backcountry, and leave with many memorable photos.
I recommend Arizona Safari Tours if you’re looking for a more relaxed and scenic jeep tour. I went on their jeep tour on my first visit to Sedona, and they have super friendly guides that taught me about Sedona’s history, and pointed out different rock formations (Snoopy Rock, Coffee Pot Rock)!
Other Things To See In/Near Sedona
If you love sightseeing, here are a few hidden gems to check out in Sedona.
- Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park: Peaceful park with Buddha statues, a medicine wheel, and benches with a view of Thunder Mountain
- Crescent Moon Picnic Site: Park with swimmable ponds & beautiful view of Cathedral Rock, $15/vehicle parking fee
- Midley Bridge: Beautiful overlook of a bridge and Oak Creek Canyon with hiking trails and a picnic area
- Montezuma’s Castle: 20-room ancient cliff dwellings built between 1100 and 1350 A.D. in Camp Verde (30 min from Sedona)
Best Time To Visit Sedona
The best time to visit Sedona is in the spring or fall, when the weather is perfect for hiking, and there’s the least amount of crowds.
If you plan on visiting Sedona in the summer, however, you can still enjoy the trails away from crowds by going on sunrise or sunset hikes!
Las Vegas To Sedona Road Trip Map
Sedona FAQs
How many days do you need in Sedona?
The ideal amount of time to spend in Sedona is 2-3 days. This will give you time to relax, hike the popular trails, and enjoy Sedona’s beautiful sunsets and night skies full of stars.
What are the best Sedona hikes?
The best and most popular Sedona hikes are Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Devil’s Bridge. Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock are iconic mountains in Sedona, while Devil’s Bridge is a large natural sandstone arch that’s become a popular landmark.
If you only have time for one hike, Cathedral Rock offers the most spectacular red rock views in my experience! See our list of the 7 most beautiful Sedona hikes for a full list of options.
How far is Sedona from the Grand Canyon?
Sedona is only a 2 hour drive from the Grand Canyon’s main entrance (South Rim). If you don’t want to drive, there are a variety of group tours and private tours available from Sedona.
Check out our Sedona to Grand Canyon day trip guide for tips on what to see in just a few hours at the South Rim!
How far is Sedona from Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend?
Sedona is right around a 3 hour drive from Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. These are some of the most photographed Arizona landmarks, and they’re located just outside of Page AZ, near the southern Utah border.
If you want to visit them from Sedona, there are full day tours available.
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