Looking for an unforgettable road trip that showcases all of the best natural beauty of Arizona, one of the most beautiful places in the USA? Take a Phoenix to Page AZ road trip!

This beautiful road trip through Arizona is brought to you by Kate from Kate Roams the World, a travel nurse by profession and a traveler, and a travel blogger by passion. Presently in Philly, she has been lucky to live in different states on the US West Coast – California, Colorado, Arizona, and Washington.

Arizona Road Trip: A Beautiful Drive from Phoenix to Page

270 miles separate Phoenix from Page and the drive nonstop takes about 4 ½ hours. But in a state like Arizona, you’ll find endless detours and things to do along the way.

This Arizona road trip takes you through some of the most stunning landscapes in the state, including towering red rock formations, deep canyons, serene lakes, and cacti larger than life.

Along the way, you’ll discover hidden gems like ancient Native American ruins and charming small towns. Whether you’re a nature lover or just seeking an adventurous road trip for your next vacation, this drive is one not to be missed.

In this post, I’ll share the best stops to make on a Phoenix to Page drive. All the best hikes, viewpoints, and art & cultural immersions along the way!

PS: If you’ve time, you can explore Arizona as a part of a bigger Southwest USA road trip.

Phoenix to Page Arizona Road Trip: Basics

Best Time to Visit Arizona

The best times to visit Arizona are the spring and fall months. These months don’t have the extreme temperatures and weather that the summer and winter months can bring.

The summer months of June- August can bring average temperatures as high as 107°F in Phoenix. Summer is also the monsoon season in Arizona’s desert, which can bring heavy rains, flash flooding, and high winds.

Winter months can be cool and comfortable in the lower elevation parts of the desert like Phoenix. But expect below-freezing temperatures in higher elevation destinations such as the Grand Canyon.

Although if you can brave the cold and some snow, a visit in the winter can offer
more solitude. Places like Sedona and the Grand Canyon will have considerably fewer crowds and may make your experience more enjoyable. But do keep in mind some trails or activities may be closed during the winter season.

Spring and fall months are optimal since the temperatures in the desert and high elevations will be comfortable when most attractions are open. But since these are the peak tourist seasons, be prepared for more crowds.

How to Get to Phoenix, AZ

Fly into Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport. You will need a rental car for this trip, so pick one up at one of the many car rental companies at the airport.

For this road trip we have listed below you can certainly stick to an economy car or sedan if you’d like with no need to upgrade to a 4×4 vehicle.

Best Stops on your Phoenix AZ to Page AZ Road Trip

• Prescott & Jerome
• Sedona
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Flagstaff
• Marble Canyon

Phoenix to Page Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip Day 1: Phoenix

With one full day in Phoenix, pick one or two of the many hikes around the city.

Some of the best hikes around Phoenix are:

• The Wave Cave (3.2 miles roundtrip & 870 ft elevation gain)
• Peralta trail to Weaver’s Needle (5.8 miles & 1560 ft elevation gain)
• Piestawa Peak- Best sunrise hike in Phoenix! (2.2 miles & 1150 ft elevation gain)
• Camelback Mountain (2.4 miles & 1320 elevation gain)

If you’re not up for hiking stop by the huge Desert Botanical Garden to see thousands of flourishing cacti and plant species.

Picacho Peak State Park and the Lost Dutchman State Park both offer jaw-dropping mountain views for you to simply walk up to. The Lost Dutchman State Park makes for a stunning sunset location.

Those wanting to soak in some art and culture – stop by Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. This is a walkable downtown art district with street murals around every corner. You’ll also find plentiful art galleries, museums, restaurants, and bars.

Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip Day 2: Drive from Phoenix to Sedona

On your second day in Arizona, drive to the red rock paradise that is Sedona.
If you have a couple more hours to spare, consider taking a detour to the small towns of Prescott and Jerome.

This detour will take about 1 ½ more hours of driving time, plus any time
you spend in the towns themselves.

Prescott & Jerome

In Prescott, you can stop by the stunning Watson Lake to go kayaking or paddleboarding. Whiskey Row, a historic section of the town, is full of Old West bars and saloons that will make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time.

Next drive from Prescott to Jerome, a once flourishing mining town and the 3rd largest city in Arizona.

A huge amount of dynamite was set off in the 1930s which caused a large amount of the town to collapse. Because of this history, it is now known as a ghost town.

Today it is a tourist destination and art haven with many galleries and art shops. Or visit the creepy ruins of the Bartlett Hotel or the Sliding Jail. You can join a guided Jerome Ghost Walk.

Sedona

If you’ve driven up to Sedona via the long route from Phoenix stopping in Prescott and Jerome, you’ll probably arrive in Sedona sometime in the afternoon.

Get something to eat at the Hideaway House to enjoy Italian fare with amazing red rock views.

End your day with a sunset hike.

Some of the best sunset hikes in Sedona are:

• Bell Rock (0.8 miles roundtrip & 200 ft elevation gain)
• Cathedral Rock (1.2 miles roundtrip & 740 ft elevation gain)
• Red Rock Crossing Viewpoint
• Doe Mountain (1.5 miles roundtrip & 510 ft elevation gain)
• Munds Wagon trail to Merry Go Round Rock– my favorite! (6.5 miles roundtrip & 1100 ft elevation gain)

Sedona, an International Dark Sky Community, has amazing stargazing opportunities. So stay up late and look up at the sky – you may even see the milky way!

Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip Day 3: Sedona

With one day in Sedona, you’ll want to get an early start as there is so much to do in this little town, a highlight of any Arizona bucket list!

A lot of the hikes in Sedona are rather short and many trailheads are near each other, so it’s easy to fit in a few hikes in one day.

Below are the best hikes in Sedona broken down into more popular and less popular. Do the more popular trails early in the morning or in the mid-afternoon for the least crowds.

Don’t assume that just because a hike is less popular that it is not as stunning- you really can’t go wrong with any trail in Sedona!

Most popular Sedona trails:

• Cathedral Rock (1.2 miles roundtrip & 740 ft elevation gain)
• Devils Bridge (4 miles roundtrip & 520 ft elevation gain)
• Soldier Pass trail to the caves and 7 sacred pools (4.5 miles roundtrip & 840 ft elevation gain)
• Birthing Cave (2 miles roundtrip & 300 ft elevation gain)
• Subway Cave via Boynton Canyon (6 miles roundtrip & 820 ft elevation gain)

Sedona hikes with fewer crowds:

• Keyhole Cave: one of my favorites! (2.2 miles roundtrip & 470 ft elevation gain)
• Shaman’s Cave via Robbers Roost trail (3 miles roundtrip & 460 ft elevation gain)
• Fay Canyon Arch trail (1.5 miles roundtrip & 245 ft elevation gain)
• Bear Mountain (5 miles & 2025 ft elevation gain)

Not up for hiking? There is plenty of easy access to beautiful views around Sedona.

Visit Airport Mesa, Slide Rock State Park, or simply enjoy the views from the shops in Uptown Sedona.

There are also plentiful tours and activities to do, such as the infamous Pink Jeep Tours that go off-roading to some of the best sights Sedona has to offer.

Or get an adrenaline rush by going off-roading and driving yourself on a guided ATV tour.

Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip Day 4: Sedona to Grand Canyon via Flagstaff

The next day you’ll want to wake up and start your scenic 2 ½ hour drive to Grand Canyon National Park!

You’ll drive through the beautiful and densely forested Oak Creek up to Flagstaff.

Stretch your legs and walk around downtown Flagstaff. Admire the San Francisco peaks, with Humphrey’s Peak being the tallest mountain in the state.

Arrive at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park in the afternoon. Pick from some viewpoints and hikes listed below.

Don’t forget to enjoy an unforgettable sunset to end your day!

Best viewpoints in the Grand Canyon:

• Mather Point
• Hopi Point
• Grandview Point
• Yavapai Point
• Mohave Point
• Desert View (views of the Colorado River!)

Best half-day hikes in the Grand Canyon:

• Ooh Aah Point via South Kaibab trail (1.8 miles round trip & 685 ft elevation gain)
• South Kaibab trail to Cedar Ridge (3.1 miles & 1,180 ft elevation gain)
• 1.5-mile Resthouse via Bright Angel trail (3.2 miles & 1,180 ft elevation gain)

I highly suggest booking a night at one of the lodges on the South Rim, you do have to book a room in advance but the prices are more reasonable than you’d expect.

Staying in the National Park itself is super convenient!

Recommended Read:
The Most Beautiful National Parks in the USA
The Most Beautiful National Parks in the World

Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip Day 5: Grand Canyon

Try to set an early alarm to wake up to watch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon- it is stunning and a big bucket list moment!

Spend a full or half day at the Grand Canyon on this day, depending on how fast you want to get to Page.

Hit up some more viewpoints or hikes in the Grand Canyon you didn’t get to the day prior and then head off to Page.

The drive from the Grand Canyon to Page will take you about 2 ½ hours. On the way to Page, you’ll pass through the stunning Marble Canyon.

If you’re not tired yet, stop and do the 1.3-mile round-trip hike to Horseshoe Bend for sunset!

Planning on camping while in Page? Go to Lone Rock Beach on the shores of Lake Powell for the dreamiest place to rest your head at night!

Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip Day 6: Page

With one full day in Page, you have a few options. If you want to get out on the water for a full day during the warmer months, I highly suggest renting a small boat for the day and cruising around Lake Powell.

Out of all of my Arizona memories, this is at the top. Being on the turquoise waters with the orange canyon walls towering above you is really spectacular.

You could also join a guided kayak tour and paddle a few miles into Lower Antelope Canyon and hike in the slot canyon. This is also a fantastic and truly unique experience!

On the Navajo Nation you can go on a walking tour of the famous Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon with walls so smooth they look like they were sculpted.

Buckskin Gulch, a one-hour drive from Page, AZ, is a hiking trail with amazing rock formations and another slot canyon.

Or hike to the ‘New Wave’ trail. At less than 1 mile round trip this hike features beautifully textured rocks that resemble the Wave, a trail that is notoriously hard to get a permit for.

Phoenix to Page AZ Road Trip Day 7: Drive back from Page to Phoenix

Head back down to Phoenix on your last day. The drive direct from Page to Phoenix takes just over 4 hours.

Have more time? Pick another activity around Page in the morning or head down to Phoenix early to do some more sightseeing or hiking!

Conclusion: Phoenix to Page Arizona Road Trip

In conclusion, a road trip from Phoenix to Page, AZ offers an unforgettable experience for travelers seeking adventure and natural beauty.

From exploring the stunning landscapes of Sedona and the Grand Canyon to hiking through the colorful slot canyons of Antelope Canyon, this journey is full of incredible sights and experiences that will leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

With plenty of exciting stops along the way, including scenic overlooks, historic landmarks, and charming small towns, this road trip is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse themselves in nature’s splendor.

So pack your bags, hit the open road, and get ready for an epic adventure on one of America’s most scenic routes!

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