Sedona
Red rock spires, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Cathedral Rock, and Oak Creek Canyon — Arizona's most photographed two-hour drive.
Distance
120 mi
Drive time
~120 min
Route
I-17 N from Phoenix to AZ-179 N at Exit 298 — 120 mi, ~2 hr
Best window
March–May and September–November for the best hiking weather (60s–80s)
About Sedona
Sedona sits 120 miles and roughly two hours north of Phoenix at the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon, surrounded by the red-rock formations that show up on every Arizona postcard: Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, Coffeepot Rock, and the iconic Chapel of the Holy Cross built into the cliffside. It's a doable day trip from Phoenix in a 12–15 passenger van — leave by 7 AM, hit Cathedral Rock at sunrise, do the Chapel + lunch in town, and be back to Phoenix by dinner. Red Rock State Park, the Sedona Heritage Museum, and the surrounding Coconino National Forest all sit inside a 15-mile radius. Note: most forest trailheads require a Red Rock Pass.
Why it's worth the drive
- Cathedral Rock — Sedona's most photographed formation, sunrise + sunset shoot from Red Rock Crossing or the trailhead.
- Chapel of the Holy Cross — 1956 Marguerite Brunswig Staude chapel built directly into the red rock cliffside, free to visit.
- Oak Creek Canyon — 16-mile scenic drive on AZ-89A up to Flagstaff, passing Slide Rock State Park.
- Pink Jeep Tours — the Broken Arrow trail is the famous one; off-road runs you can't do in a personal vehicle.
Things to do
What groups actually do at Sedona
Cathedral Rock Trail
1.2 mi round-trip but 600 ft of steep scrambling — Sedona's signature summit photo. Parking at the trailhead requires a Red Rock Pass and is full by 7:30 AM most days.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Free to visit, donations welcome. Built into the cliff in 1956. Best photos in late afternoon when the red rock behind it glows. Small parking lot; van drivers should plan a drop-and-return.
Bell Rock & Courthouse Butte loop
3.6 mi flat loop around two iconic formations — easy with kids, no scrambling, big views the whole way. Trailhead lot fits a Sprinter.
Slide Rock State Park
Natural sandstone water slide in Oak Creek Canyon, ~7 mi north of town on AZ-89A — Arizona's favorite summer swim spot. Day-use fee, lot fills by 10 AM in summer.
Pink Jeep Tour — Broken Arrow
2-hour off-road jeep tour to Submarine Rock and Chicken Point. The single most-booked Sedona activity. Reserve weeks ahead in spring/fall.
Tlaquepaque Arts Village
Spanish-colonial-style outdoor shopping and gallery village in town — easy lunch + browse stop in the middle of a day-trip itinerary.
Group + van tips
Driving a 12-15 passenger van to Sedona
- Drive: I-17 N from Phoenix to AZ-179 N at Exit 298 (Village of Oak Creek). 120 mi, ~2 hr without stops, longer Friday afternoons.
- Most Sedona trailheads (Cathedral Rock, Devil's Bridge, Soldier Pass, Bell Rock) require a Red Rock Pass — $5/day, sold at gas stations and the ranger station, also at trailhead self-pay tubes.
- Cathedral Rock trailhead and Devil's Bridge are notoriously over-capacity — arrive by 7 AM or use the free Sedona Shuttle from the Park-and-Ride south of town.
- Pull-outs on AZ-179 (Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock viewpoints) all fit a 15-passenger van and are free.
- Cell service is patchy in Oak Creek Canyon and on the back roads — download offline maps before you leave Phoenix.
Most trailhead lots require a Red Rock Pass and fill by 7:30 AM. The Sedona Shuttle is the cleanest play for popular trails.
When to go
Best time to visit
March–May and September–November for the best hiking weather (60s–80s). Summer days hit the 90s but mornings are still hikeable, and Slide Rock is at its best. December–February: occasional snow on the red rocks is the most photogenic Sedona gets, daytime highs in the 50s.
Need a van for the trip?
Our Phoenix fleet of 12-15 passenger Sprinters and Ford Transits delivers to Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), Scottsdale, and every major resort across the Valley of the Sun.
See Phoenix vansSedona FAQ
How long is the drive from Phoenix to Sedona?
About 120 miles and 2 hours — I-17 N to Exit 298 at AZ-179. Add 30+ minutes Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings in shoulder season.
Do I need a Red Rock Pass?
For most named trailheads in the Coconino National Forest around Sedona, yes — $5/day, sold at gas stations, the ranger station, and trailhead self-pay tubes. Town parking and Chapel of the Holy Cross are free.
Is Sedona doable as a day trip from Phoenix?
Yes — leave Phoenix by 7 AM, do one hike (Bell Rock loop or Cathedral Rock if you're fit), visit the Chapel, lunch in Uptown or Tlaquepaque, and be home by 8 PM. Overnight gives you a sunrise + sunset, which is the upgrade most people make on a return trip.
Can a 15-passenger van handle Sedona's roads?
Yes — all paved routes including AZ-179, AZ-89A through Oak Creek Canyon, and town streets handle a Sprinter or Transit fine. Stay off the unpaved Schnebly Hill Road and the back-country forest roads; those are jeep terrain only.