admin One of the best things about living in Phoenix is how fast you can leave it. Pines, red rocks, ghost towns and the world’s most famous canyon are all a tank of gas away.
Updated October 2026. Rules and fees change; confirm with the official source linked in each section.
| Destination | Drive (approx.) | Best time | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedona | 2 hrs | Fall, spring, weekdays | Red rocks, hiking, food |
| Grand Canyon South Rim | 3.5–4 hrs | Year-round (snow in winter) | It’s the Grand Canyon |
| Flagstaff | 2 hrs | Summer, ski season | Pines, cool air, Route 66, Lowell Observatory |
| Jerome | 2 hrs | Fall, spring | Hillside former mining town, galleries, wine |
| Prescott | 1.5–2 hrs | Summer, holidays | Whiskey Row, courthouse square, lakes |
| Tucson | 1.75 hrs | Fall–spring | Saguaro NP, Mount Lemmon, Sonoran food |
| Payson & the Mogollon Rim | 1.5 hrs | Summer | Cool forests, Tonto Natural Bridge |
| Tombstone & Bisbee | 3–3.5 hrs | Fall–spring | Old West history, quirky arts town |
| Page (Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon) | 4.5 hrs | Spring, fall | Iconic views, Lake Powell |
| Superstitions & Canyon Lake | 1 hr | Fall–spring | Lake cruises, Tortilla Flat, hikes |
Tips
- Sedona weekends are crowded; go midweek or early.
- Check az511.gov for I-17 traffic and winter road conditions up north.
- An annual National Parks pass pays for itself quickly in Arizona.
- Up north is 20–30°F cooler. Pack layers.