You're standing in the rental car lot at Sky Harbor, the heat is bouncing off the asphalt in waves, and you’re wondering exactly how far is Phoenix Arizona to Sedona Arizona because your stomach is already growling for some prickly pear fudge.
It's about 116 miles.
That’s the short version. If you jump on I-17 North and don’t hit a single lick of traffic—which is a miracle in this state—you’re looking at roughly two hours of driving. But honestly, treating this drive like a simple A-to-B math problem is how people end up missing the best parts of the Mogollon Rim.
Arizona distance is weird. 116 miles in the desert feels different than 116 miles in the Midwest. You’re not just moving across a map; you’re climbing. Phoenix sits at about 1,100 feet. Sedona is perched up at 4,300. You are essentially driving up a giant, rocky staircase, and your car’s engine—and your ears—will definitely feel the shift.
The Reality of the I-17 Climb
When people ask about the distance from Phoenix to Sedona, they usually look at the mileage and think, "Oh, ninety minutes, tops."
Not quite.
The I-17 is a beast. Once you pass North Phoenix and the Tanger Outlets, the road starts to snake. You'll pass through places like New River and Black Canyon City. This isn't flat highway driving. It’s a steep, multi-lane ascent where semi-trucks often struggle to maintain 45 mph in the right lane while locals are trying to do 80 in the left.
If you’re driving a smaller rental car, watch your temperature gauge. Arizona heat combined with a 3,000-foot elevation gain in an hour is a lot of stress on a radiator.
📖 Related: Ilum Experience Home: What Most People Get Wrong About Staying in Palermo Hollywood
Why Timing Matters More Than Miles
If you leave Phoenix at 4:00 PM on a Friday? Forget it. That 116-mile trip will turn into a three-hour crawl. The "Sunset Point" rest stop is a famous landmark about halfway through, and while the view is killer, it’s also where traffic tends to bottle up.
Actually, Sunset Point is a great place to stop if you need to let your brakes cool down or just want to see the literal edge of the desert. You can see for miles from there. It’s the moment you realize you’ve left the Sonoran Desert floor and entered the high chaparral.
The Scenic Route: Highway 89A via Jerome
If you aren't in a rush to get to the red rocks, there is a "secret" way that adds miles but saves your soul. Instead of staying on I-17 all the way to the Sedona exit (Hwy 179), you can peel off earlier toward Cottonwood and take Highway 89A through Jerome.
Jerome is an old copper mining town built into the side of Cleopatra Hill. It’s steep. Like, "don't-forget-your-parking-brake" steep.
Taking this route makes the trip about 130 miles total. It adds maybe 45 minutes to an hour to your journey, but the descent from Jerome down into the Verde Valley gives you a panoramic view of the Sedona red rocks that you just don't get from the main highway.
Navigating the "Y" and Sedona Traffic
Once you actually get into Sedona, the distance doesn't matter anymore. Traffic does.
The intersection of Highway 179 and Highway 89A is known locally as "The Y." It’s a series of roundabouts that can get incredibly backed up during peak tourist season (March–May and October–November).
👉 See also: Anderson California Explained: Why This Shasta County Hub is More Than a Pit Stop
You might have driven 110 miles in two hours, only to spend thirty minutes driving the last three miles to your hotel.
A Few Specific Distances to Keep in Mind:
- Sky Harbor Airport to Uptown Sedona: 119 miles.
- Scottsdale to West Sedona: 125 miles (roughly).
- Mesa to Sedona: 135 miles via the Loop 101.
If you’re coming from the East Valley (Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa), you have to navigate the Phoenix metro traffic before you even hit the open road. That can easily tack on an extra forty minutes.
Weather Shifts Along the Way
You need to prepare for a temperature drop.
It is almost always 10 to 15 degrees cooler in Sedona than it is in Phoenix. If you’re wearing shorts in Phoenix in February because it’s a balmy 70 degrees, you might be shivering by the time you reach the trailhead at Devil’s Bridge.
Check the weather for both zip codes. 85001 (Phoenix) and 86336 (Sedona) are worlds apart.
Practical Stops to Break Up the Drive
Don't just power through. There are a few spots on the way up that make the 116-mile trek feel shorter.
- Rock Springs Cafe: Located in Black Canyon City. They are famous for their pies. Get the Jack Daniels Pecan or the Rhubarb. It’s a classic Arizona tourist tradition for a reason.
- Montezuma Castle National Monument: Just off the I-17 near Camp Verde. It’s an incredible cliff dwelling. You can see it in about 45 minutes, and it’s a nice break for your legs.
- Camp Verde: This is your last chance for "cheap" gas. Once you turn onto Highway 179 toward Sedona, prices jump significantly.
What About Shuttles?
If you don’t want to drive, the Groome Transportation shuttle (formerly Arizona Shuttle) runs between Sky Harbor and Sedona multiple times a day.
✨ Don't miss: Flights to Chicago O'Hare: What Most People Get Wrong
It’s convenient, but it isn't necessarily faster. Since they make stops and have to adhere to speed governors, expect the trip to take closer to 2.5 or 3 hours. However, it saves you from having to navigate the white-knuckle curves of the I-17 yourself, which many people find worth the $60 or so ticket price.
The Final Stretch: Red Rock Scenic Byway
The last 15 miles of the trip—once you exit the I-17 and get onto Highway 179—is officially a National Scenic Byway. This is where the "distance" becomes beautiful. You'll pass Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte.
Slow down here. Not just for the views, but because the speed limits drop sharply and local law enforcement is very active in this corridor.
Pro Tip: If you’re planning on hiking as soon as you arrive, stop at the Red Rock Visitor Center just as you enter the Village of Oak Creek. You can buy your Red Rock Pass there ($5 for the day) which you’ll need to park at most trailheads.
Actionable Steps for Your Drive
To make the most of the distance from Phoenix to Sedona, follow this checklist:
- Check the ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation) alerts. Use the "AZ 511" app. I-17 is notorious for brush fires in the summer and accidents in the winter that can shut down the whole highway. There are no easy detours once you’re in the canyons.
- Top off your fluids. That climb is no joke for older vehicles.
- Download your maps. Cell service gets spotty around the New River area and again as you enter the canyons leading into Sedona.
- Leave before 10:00 AM. If you can get past the North Valley before the midday rush, you’ll have a much smoother climb.
- Bring a jacket. No matter how hot it is in Phoenix, the high desert at night is a different beast.
Driving from the valley of the sun to the red rocks is one of the most iconic road trips in the American Southwest. It's short enough to do in a day, but varied enough to feel like you've traveled to another planet. Just remember that the "116 miles" is a suggestion—the mountain has the final say on your arrival time.