Origin
Surprise, AZ
Afternoon in Surprise on Monday
Local time
1:42 PM
MST
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Surprise, AZ to Sedona, AZ
Drive Time
2h 15m
Distance
112.5 mi
181 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 6m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 22m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 23m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Surprise, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Sedona, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Surprise, AZ to Sedona, AZ covers 112.5 miles and takes about 2h 15m 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, Bob Stump Memorial Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 50.2 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.39 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
56.2 miles from Surprise, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 15m drive with frequent turns across 112.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
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 50.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 22 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near North El Mirage Road.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 112.5 miles you will encounter 22 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (North El Mirage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North El Mirage Road
At end of road, turn left onto North El Mirage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
5.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the ramp toward AZ 303 Loop North
Navigation decision point
Toward AZ 303 Loop North
6
20.8 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
5
21.7 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
6
97.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m 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
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Surprise, AZ to Sedona, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Oak Creek Canyon along the way.
Oak Creek Canyon
97.4 mi in
|
~1h 48m
|
via AZ 179
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 50.2 mi | 50m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 16.4 mi | 16m |
| Bob Stump Memorial Parkway | 14.8 mi | 17m |
| Red Rock Scenic Byway | 14.5 mi | 25m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| North El Mirage Road | 5 mi | 8m |
| West Paradise Lane | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Prescott–Flagstaff Highway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 50.2 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surprise, AZ and Sedona, AZ.
1
Start on North Nash Street
88 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Nash Street
2
Turn right onto West Paradise Lane
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Paradise Lane
3
At end of road, turn left onto North El Mirage Road
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
North El Mirage Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
2 min
Toward AZ 303 Loop North
5
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
8
Merge onto I 17
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 17
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
37 mi
·
36 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
12
Take the exit onto AZ 179
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
AZ 179
Exit 298
Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
13
Turn left onto AZ 179
7.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
14
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
111 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
15
Continue on AZ 179
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
16
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
92 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
17
Continue on AZ 179
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
18
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
105 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
19
Continue on AZ 179
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
20
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
103 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
21
Continue on AZ 179
3.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
22
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
93 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
23
Continue on AZ 179
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
24
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
68 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
25
Continue on AZ 179
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
26
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
73 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
27
Continue on AZ 179
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
28
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
104 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
29
Continue on AZ 179
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
30
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
135 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
31
Continue on AZ 179
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
32
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89A
17 ft
·
0 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
33
Continue on AZ 89A
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
34
Turn right onto AZ 89A
329 ft
·
11 sec
·
North State Route 89A
35
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89A
207 ft
·
3 sec
·
North State Route 89A
36
Arrive at destination
AZ 89A
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 56.2 miles from Surprise, AZ, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.2 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.2 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sedona, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Surprise, 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 Surprise, AZ
This is one driving day of about 112.5 miles and 2h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Surprise, 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 50.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.2 mi from Surprise, AZ · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.2 miles from Surprise, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Sedona, AZ
The final approach into 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 Sedona, 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
$22.39 one way
$44.78 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $23.64 | $47.29 |
| premium | $5.59 | $24.75 | $49.49 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.99 | $49.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.81 | $5.40 |
| Efficient EV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.84 | $4.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45 | 0 | $15.75 | $7.20 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Sedona, AZ
Afternoon in Sedona on Monday
Local time
1:42 PM
MST
Current temp
49°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
7 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 15m 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 Surprise, AZ to Sedona, AZ covers 112.5 miles and takes about 2h 15m 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, Bob Stump Memorial Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.2 miles from Surprise, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.39 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 112.5 miles you will encounter 22 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (North El Mirage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Surprise, AZ to Sedona, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Oak Creek Canyon along the way.
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