Trip from Sedona, AZ to Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ

Drive Time

2h 28m

Distance

128.3 mi

207 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 18m ★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Sedona, AZ, AZ

Sedona, AZ

Mark Direen

human settlement in Phoenix, Arizona, United States of America

Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Sedona, AZ to Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ covers 128.3 miles and takes about 2h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, Red Rock Scenic Byway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 52.9 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.53 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

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

64.2 miles from Sedona, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Sedona, AZ to Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ covers 128.3 miles and takes about 2h 28m, 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 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Arizona Veterans Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 52.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 28m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.7 miles (AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.4 miles (AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
3.7 mi into trip | ~7m in | AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
7.4 mi into trip | ~15m in | AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

7
14.7 mi into trip | ~26m in | AZ 179

Take the exit onto AZ 179 toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 298 Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
7
126.9 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in

Take the exit toward Elliot Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 157 Toward Elliot Road

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Sedona, AZ to Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Oak Creek Canyon along the way.

Oak Creek Canyon

14.7 mi in | ~26m | via AZ 179

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway 52.9 mi 52m
Black Canyon Freeway 38.4 mi 42m
Red Rock Scenic Byway 14.4 mi 25m
Maricopa Freeway 11.7 mi 13m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway 5.8 mi 5m
North Black Canyon Highway 3.2 mi 3m
East Elliot Road 0.4 mi <1m
South 48th Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Arizona Veterans Highway — 52.9 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sedona, AZ and Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ.

1

Start on AZ 89A

253 ft · 4 sec · North State Route 89A
2

Continue on AZ 89A

333 ft · 11 sec · North State Route 89A
3

Continue on AZ 89A

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
4

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

177 ft · 2 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
5

Continue on AZ 179

0.3 mi · 50 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
6

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

69 ft · 0 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
7

Continue on AZ 179

0.5 mi · 58 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
8

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

92 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
9

Continue on AZ 179

0.6 mi · 1 min · Red Rock Scenic Byway
10

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

107 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
11

Continue on AZ 179

1.4 mi · 3 min · Red Rock Scenic Byway
12

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

80 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
13

Continue on AZ 179

0.4 mi · 57 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
14

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

112 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
15

Continue on AZ 179

2.9 mi · 6 min · Red Rock Scenic Byway
16

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

81 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
17

Continue on AZ 179

0.6 mi · 1 min · Red Rock Scenic Byway
18

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

94 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
19

Continue on AZ 179

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
20

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

100 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
21

Continue on AZ 179

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
22

Enter roundabout onto AZ 179

108 ft · 1 sec · Red Rock Scenic Byway
23

Continue on AZ 179

7.0 mi · 9 min · Red Rock Scenic Byway
24

Take the exit onto AZ 179

0.2 mi · 21 sec · AZ 179
Exit 298 Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
25

Merge onto I 17

53 mi · 52 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
26

Continue on I 17

5.8 mi · 5 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Continue on I 17

10 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
28

Continue on I 17

3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
29

Continue on I 17

28 mi · 32 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Continue on I 17; US 60

12 mi · 13 min · Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 157 Toward Elliot Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Turn right onto East Elliot Road

0.4 mi · 54 sec · East Elliot Road
Use the right lane.
33

Turn left onto South 48th Street

0.4 mi · 43 sec · South 48th Street
34

Turn right onto East Pawnee Circle

187 ft · 11 sec · East Pawnee Circle
35

Turn left onto South Iroquois Drive

0.2 mi · 32 sec · South Iroquois Drive
36

Arrive at destination

South Iroquois 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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 64.2 miles from Sedona, AZ, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.9 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 64.2 miles or 1h 16m 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 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Sedona, 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 Sedona, AZ

This is one driving day of about 128.3 miles and 2h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sedona, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 52.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 64.2 mi from Sedona, AZ · 1h 16m into the drive

Downtown Surprise, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Surprise, AZ

64 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Surprise, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Surprise, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 64.2 miles from Sedona, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ

The final approach into Ahwatukee Foothills, 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 Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.53 one way

$51.07 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 45 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $26.96 $53.93
premium $5.59 $28.22 $56.44
diesel $5.64 $28.50 $57.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38.5 0 $13.47 $6.16
Efficient EV 32.1 0 $11.23 $5.13
EV Truck/SUV 51.3 0 $17.96 $8.21

Gas CO2

45 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Sedona, AZ

Morning in Sedona on Monday

Local time

10:59 AM

MST

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ

Morning in Ahwatukee Foothills on Monday

Local time

10:59 AM

MST

Current temp

60°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

11 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 28m 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 Sedona, AZ to Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ covers 128.3 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, Red Rock Scenic Byway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.2 miles from Sedona, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.53 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 straightforward 2h 28m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 3.7 miles (AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.4 miles (AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
On the drive from Sedona, AZ to Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Oak Creek Canyon along the way.

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