Phoenix to West Sedona is 118 miles and takes about 2h 17m via Black Canyon Freeway, Arizona Veterans Highway, and AZ 89A, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Desert Southwest region of Arizona to another part of the Desert Southwest, offering a straightforward drive. It's a relatively short journey, making it ideal for a day trip or a relaxed start to a longer adventure. You'll experience a mixed drive, so be prepared for a little bit of everything as you head north.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona, the most populous city in the American Southwest. Warm and sunny winter weather have ensured a thriving tourism industry, and the city has become the region's primary political, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is extremely hot and dry in the summertime, so always have sunscreen with you! It had about 1,625,000 residents in 2021, and is the fifth largest city in the United States.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 118 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (33%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route offers a dynamic driving experience with 33% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches of faster freeway driving, including a longest continuous segment of 39.4 miles on the Black Canyon Freeway. As you progress, the road transitions, incorporating the Arizona Veterans Highway and eventually AZ 89A. Expect a mixed drive that balances efficient travel with more varied road conditions as you approach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 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 39.4 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 1 miles in near West Washington Street.
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 17 significant decision points across 118 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 1 miles (West Washington Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1 mi into trip|~2m in|West Washington Street
Keep slight right at fork onto West Washington Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 17 North, US 60 West: Flagstaff
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17 North, US 60 West: Flagstaff
5
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in|I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge onto I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
63.8 mi into trip|~1h 11m in|I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
88.7 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Phoenix, AZ and West Sedona, AZ, road signs point toward Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A, Cottonwood, Payson and Jerome.
Finnie Flat
88.7 mi in|~1h 36m
260 To 89A
88.7 mi in|~1h 36m
Cottonwood
88.7 mi in|~1h 36m
Payson
88.7 mi in|~1h 36m
Jerome
88.7 mi in|~1h 36m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Black Canyon Freeway
39.4 mi
43m
Arizona Veterans Highway
38.2 mi
38m
AZ 89A
16.1 mi
20m
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
12.3 mi
18m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi
9m
West Washington Street
1.2 mi
2m
West Adams Street
0.8 mi
1m
Andante Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Black Canyon Freeway
— 39.4 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and West Sedona, AZ.
1
Start on West Washington Street
1.0 mi·2 min·West Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Keep slight right at fork onto West Washington Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·West Washington Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on West Adams Street
0.8 mi·1 min·West Adams Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 17 North, US 60 West: Flagstaff
5
Merge onto I 17; US 60
39 mi·43 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
25 mi·24 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome
10
Turn left onto AZ 260
421 ft·11 sec·Finnie Flat Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on AZ 260
0.5 mi·58 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
13
Continue on AZ 260
0.4 mi·41 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
15
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
16
Continue on AZ 260
1.1 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
17
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft·2 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
18
Continue on AZ 260
1.0 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
19
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
145 ft·6 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
20
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
21
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
22
Continue on AZ 260
2.1 mi·2 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
23
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
144 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
188 ft·8 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
26
Continue on AZ 260
4.7 mi·7 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
27
Continue on AZ 260
420 ft·9 sec·South Main Street
28
Turn right onto AZ 89A
16 mi·20 min·AZ 89A
29
Turn left onto Andante Drive
0.3 mi·56 sec·Andante Drive
30
Arrive at destination
Andante Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 17m duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility. It’s best to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid the peak heat of the desert. While there are no mandatory stops suggested, consider fueling up before you leave Phoenix, as the longest stretch without a major change in road type is nearly 40 miles. The $24 fuel estimate makes budgeting simple for this short hop within Arizona.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.4 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 48m
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 Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, AZ
This is one driving day of about 118 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Phoenix, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Black Canyon Freeway for about 39.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59 mi from Phoenix, AZ
· 1h 6m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 101.7
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.51 one way
$47.01 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$24.88
$49.76
premium
$5.59
$25.97
$51.95
diesel
$5.61
$26.05
$52.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.4
0
$12.39
$5.66
Efficient EV
29.5
0
$10.33
$4.72
EV Truck/SUV
47.2
0
$16.52
$7.55
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Phoenix, AZ
Night
in Phoenix on Friday
Local time
10:11 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
West Sedona, AZ
Night
in West Sedona on Friday
Local time
10:11 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
46 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 17m 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 Phoenix, AZ to West Sedona, AZ covers 118 miles and takes about 2h 17m 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, AZ 89A. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59 miles from Phoenix, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.51 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 118 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 1 miles (West Washington Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Phoenix, AZ and West Sedona, AZ, road signs point toward Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A, Cottonwood, Payson and Jerome.
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.
