The drive from Maricopa, AZ to West Sedona, AZ covers 152.6 miles and takes about 2h 58m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Black Canyon Freeway, Arizona Veterans Highway, Maricopa Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 41.3 miles on Black Canyon Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.40 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.3 miles from Maricopa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 152.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (39%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Maricopa, AZ to West Sedona, AZ covers 152.6 miles and takes about 2h 58m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Black Canyon Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 41.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.9 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 152.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 15.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 30.7 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.4 miles (I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
15.9 mi into trip|~21m in
Turn left toward I 10 West: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
8
30.7 mi into trip|~38m in|US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
4
98.4 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
123.3 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Take the exit toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Pay...
4
123.7 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|AZ 260 / Finnie Flat Road
Turn left onto AZ 260 / Finnie Flat Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Maricopa, AZ and West Sedona, AZ, road signs point toward Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A, Cottonwood, Payson and Jerome.
Finnie Flat
123.3 mi in|~2h 17m
260 To 89A
123.3 mi in|~2h 17m
Cottonwood
123.3 mi in|~2h 17m
Payson
123.3 mi in|~2h 17m
Jerome
123.3 mi in|~2h 17m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Black Canyon Freeway
41.3 mi
45m
Arizona Veterans Highway
38.2 mi
38m
Maricopa Freeway
16.2 mi
18m
AZ 89A
16.1 mi
20m
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
12.3 mi
18m
Maricopa Road
11.8 mi
13m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi
9m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
2.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Black Canyon Freeway
— 41.3 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maricopa, AZ and West Sedona, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 347
124 ft·3 sec·North John Wayne Parkway
2
Continue on AZ 347
2.2 mi·4 min·North John Wayne Parkway
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on AZ 347
12 mi·13 min·Maricopa Road
4
Continue on AZ 347
1.9 mi·2 min·West Queen Creek Road
5
Turn left
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: PhoenixUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
2.3 mi·2 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
7
Continue on I 10
12 mi·13 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
4.2 mi·4 min·Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: FlagstaffUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 17; US 60
41 mi·45 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
25 mi·24 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome
14
Turn left onto AZ 260
421 ft·11 sec·Finnie Flat Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on AZ 260
0.5 mi·58 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
17
Continue on AZ 260
0.4 mi·41 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
19
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
20
Continue on AZ 260
1.1 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
21
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft·2 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
22
Continue on AZ 260
1.0 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
23
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
145 ft·6 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
24
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
25
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
26
Continue on AZ 260
2.1 mi·2 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
27
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
144 ft·6 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
28
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
29
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
188 ft·8 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
30
Continue on AZ 260
4.7 mi·7 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
31
Continue on AZ 260
420 ft·9 sec·South Main Street
32
Turn right onto AZ 89A
16 mi·20 min·AZ 89A
33
Turn left onto Andante Drive
0.3 mi·56 sec·Andante Drive
34
Arrive at destination
Andante Drive
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.3 miles from Maricopa, AZ, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.3 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Sedona, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Maricopa, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Maricopa, AZ
This is one driving day of about 152.6 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Maricopa, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Black Canyon Freeway for about 41.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.3 mi from Maricopa, AZ
· 1h 28m into the drive
The midpoint is around 76.3 miles from Maricopa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in West Sedona, AZ
The final approach into West Sedona, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around West Sedona, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Tuzigoot National Monument
National Monument
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$10
near mile 136.8
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
$10
near mile 126.3
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$25
near mile 152.6
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
29 mi from route
~73 min detour
Free
near mile 5.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.40 one way
$60.80 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$32.17
$64.34
premium
$5.59
$33.59
$67.18
diesel
$5.61
$33.69
$67.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.8
0
$16.02
$7.32
Efficient EV
38.2
0
$13.35
$6.10
EV Truck/SUV
61
0
$21.36
$9.77
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Maricopa, AZ
Evening
in Maricopa on Friday
Local time
8:31 PM
MST
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Sedona, AZ
Evening
in West Sedona on Friday
Local time
8:31 PM
MST
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 58m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Maricopa, AZ to West Sedona, AZ covers 152.6 miles and takes about 2h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Black Canyon Freeway, Arizona Veterans Highway, Maricopa Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.3 miles from Maricopa, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.40 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 152.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 30.7 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.4 miles (I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Between Maricopa, AZ and West Sedona, AZ, road signs point toward Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A, Cottonwood, Payson and Jerome.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Tuzigoot National Monument, Montezuma Castle National Monument and Walnut Canyon National Monument. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
