The best road trip stops on the Tucson to Sedona drive are Casa Grande, Phoenix and Camp Verde. The distance from Tucson to Sedona by car is 228 miles, with a 3h28m driving time.
Planning a Tucson to Sedona road trip itinerary
The Tucson to Sedona drive connects two of the most attractive destinations in Arizona.
Five great things to do in Tucson
- 🌮 Taste authentic South-Western flavours – on a Tucson food tour.
- 🐎 Go cowboy on a 90 minute horseback ride – through Coronado National Forest and Catalina State Park.
- 🧗 Get adventurous – on a half-day canyoneering tour.
- 🎨 On a murals walking tour – discover Tucson’s incredible street art scene.
- 🎈 Float above the desert – on a morning hot air balloon ride, with bubbly and breakfast.
Tucson is often used as a base for exploring the Sonoran Desert. But it’s a proper city with an arty streak, a Spanish-tinged history and excellent Mexican food. Tourist highlights include Reid Park Zoo, the Flandrau Science Center and the San Xavier del Bac Mission, while the Titan Missile Museum and Colossal Cave Mountain Park are a short drive from the centre. .
Top Tucson experiences include exploring the city’s many murals, taking a self-guided audio tour through Saguaro National Park and canyoneering at Mt Lemmon.
There are also several good bike tours you can do in and around Tucson. Choose from a history-focused ride through the city, e-biking in Saguaro National Park and taco-tasting on two wheels.
For resort-style accommodation in Tucson, take a look at the impressive Casino Del Sol Resort. To stay downtown, within walking distance of several restaurants, try the Leo Kent Hotel.
Desert town Sedona sits in an inspirational setting amid red rock buttes, canyons and forest. It’s no wonder so many artists choose to live there.
The surrounding desert trails and state parks are magnificent for hiking and biking. Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte are big favourites, while Red Rock Crossing is an astonishing place for a swim. Non-walkers can check out the views from the Airport Scenic Overlook, the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the Schnebly Hill Vista Overlook.
You can also explore on a scenic helicopter flight, outback Jeep tour, guided ATV adventure or e-biking at Cathedral Rock.
Other Sedona experiences include Verde Valley wine tours, Jeep tours of the mystical Sedona vortexes, glassblowing workshops and nighttime stargazing sessions.
For great Sedona accommodation that makes the most of the views, try the Sky Ranch Lodge or Amara Resort.
5 great Sedona experiences to book
- 🚙 Get to red rock views others cannot reach on an off-road Jeep tour.
- 🚆 Ride the Verde Canyon Railroad, passing cliff dwellings, desert scenery and wildlife.
- 🌀 Discover the science and spirituality of Sedona’s vortexes on a specialist tour.
- 🚲 See Sedona’s highlights the easy way on an e-bike tour.
- 🌌 Take a Sedona night sky tour and hear the stories of the constellations.
Tucson to Sedona distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Tucson to Sedona is 228 miles. You can expect a driving time of around three hours and 28 minutes. The quickest route is largely up the I-10 and I-17.
The best stops to add to a Tucson to Sedona road trip itinerary are Casa Grande, Phoenix and Camp Verde.
Tucson to Sedona drive: Casa Grande AZ
In Casa Grande, you can learn about local history at the Museum of Casa Grande. However, the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument provides a far more evocative history lesson. Here, the remains of a great house and farming sites belonging to the Ancestral Sonoran People are preserved.
For something more quirky, head to the Casa Grande Neon Sign Park, where unwanted neon signs spend their retirement.
Track down Casa Grande accommodation deals here.
Tucson to Sedona road trip attractions: Phoenix, Arizona
5 great Phoenix experiences to book
- 🎈 Float above the Sonoran desert on a morning hot air balloon ride.
- 🚴 On a guided ebike adventure, see the most spectacular desert scenery.
- 🏜️ Enjoy the thrills on a guided desert ATV tour.p
- 🍽️ Take a food tour along Roosevelt Row – with 7 tastings.
- 🥾 Let a local show you the trails on a guided sunrise or sunset hike.
Highlights of Phoenix include Hole in the Rock, Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanic Garden in Papago Park, plus the Arizona Science Center and the Heard Museum.
However, a stay in Phoenix is at its best when you explore the surrounding Sonoran Desert. That might be in a hot air balloon flight, on an ATV tour or on a guided sunset hiking adventure. You can also do day tours along the Apache Trail.
For other Phoenix experiences, try a downtown food tour, a street art tour or a spooky nighttime ghost walk.
Attractions that you might wish to buy advance include cell phone-friendly tickets for include Phoenix Zoo, the Sea Life aquarium or a drunk Shakespeare performance.
For Phoenix accommodation options with a bit of character, try the art-splashed Foundre or the resort-like Raintree at Phoenix South Mountain Preserve.
Best stops between Tucson and Sedona: Camp Verde, Arizona
Camp Verde is an all-action kind of place. Great Camp Verde activities include tackling the Verde River in an inflatable kayak.
Top attractions include the Out of Africa Wildlife Park – where you can also take on a zipline course – and the Verde Valley Archaeology Center. The latter looks at the life of the Native Sinagua people.
Great Camp Verde accommodation options include the Cliff Castle Casino Hotel and the Fort Verde Suites.
More Arizona road trips
- Getting to Sedona: The best stops on the Williams to Sedona drive.
- Getting to Tucson: The best stops on the Bisbee to Tucson drive and Casa Grande to Tucson drive.
- Getting to Tucson from interstate: The best stops on the Albuquerque to Tucson drive.
- Road trips from Tucson: Where to stop on the Tucson to Tombstone drive.
- Getting to Flagstaff: The best stops on the Amarillo to Flagstaff drive, Albquerque to Flagstaff drive and Gallup NM to Flagstaff drive.
