Liz

We are contemplating a trip to Phoenix with a side to Sedona--how far is Sedona from Phoenix, should we stay in Sedona overnite?
Thank you

doc

2-2.5 hours depending on traffic.. Might be worth it to stay overnight,Sedona is beautiful.

tommy

Took me a little over 2 hours from Scottsdale to Sedona. I think Sedona rates an overnight stay, as the most beautiful times of the day are sunrise and sunset when the light reflects off the red rocks.

E.

Stay overnight, so you can be sure to drive through Oak Creek Canyon in daylight--it's gorgeous!(And it's on the way to/from Phoenix.)Plus, if you stay, you can enjoy the red rocks at different times of the day, and there are tons of good restaurants and hotels in Sedona. Enjoy!

jass

we spent 2 weeks out west this summer and went back in the early fall. heard how great sedona was...well, unless you like masses of us tour people and souvinir shops, don't bother...I'm sure sedona used to be nice, but now it is completely touristy. we loved flagstaff and also enjoyed the navajo reservation. a longer drive, but definitely worth the time!

kkj

I would probably stay overnight if you could. Othewise you could stay until sunset and still get back to Phoenix at a reasonable time. If you want to include Oak Creek you could head to Flagstaff first and drive Oak Creek south to Sedona. Oak Creek is worth the trip. Although it is north of Sedona, not on the way to Phoenix as one poster stated.

Jessica

I agree with everyone else- definitely stay overnight.

If you're looking for dining in Sedona, try the Hideaway for a casual pizza stop (in a strip mall, but once you're in, the view is very nice- nestled in the trees on stilts). Pietros is one of our favorite stops as well, but it's a more fine dining experience.

You might want to consider stopping in Jerome on your way back to Phoenix. It's an old mining town nestled in the mountains and we always enjoy making a side trip there when we're in Phoenix.

Have fun!!

xxx

Sedona will seem touristy if you just drive through. You need to stay the night and go for a walk or hike off the main drag to see what Sedona is all about. You might want to leave Phx. early one morning and do Sedona, spend the night and drive to Flagstaff then back to Phx on the highway. You can stop at Jerome (old ghost town)and/or Montezuma's Castle (Indian ruins) on the way to Phx.

Paul

I feel the opposite to the above posters. The rocks and scenery were excellent in Sedona, but knowing that Scottsdale was only a couple hours away made me NOT want to stay overnight in Sedona. I just happen to love Scottsdale that much more. In Sedona I had a great hike, ate lunch at The Enchantment (average), saw other sites, and that was enough - and I am a nature lover. JMHO.

Happy Trails,
Paul

Steve

My wife and I did the same side trip. Sedona got me over the disappointment of Phoenix and Tempe. I recommend staying overnight also. Obviously at nighttime you can't see the red, but the moonlight hitting the buttes gives a kind of strange eerie feeling. Just a nice relaxing place to spend a night or two.

catty

Sedona is beautiful, not to be missed - the scenery is what you think of when you think of Arizona.

Try the Cowboy Cafe (I believe that's what it's called) for rattlesnake, buffalo and cactus fries. We went there with our teenagers and they loved trying all that food and telling their grandparents about it.

Also, we stayed outside of town at the Sedona Hilton - very nice, all suites hotel and very reasonably priced. I would definitely recommend.

Ann

I've never stayed overnight in Sedona, but I've visited a few times. Take the drive up towards Flagstaff and exit to Oak Creek Canyon (south of Flag). I just can't imagine driving all the way to Sedona and missing the Canyon.

Be sure to see Jerome on the way back to Scottsdale, and might I suggest driving over the mountain towards Prescott rather than taking the highway back south. It's one of my favorite roads through a pine forest. Perhaps others have a better description of the drive. Downtown Prescott is interesting in that it's filled with Victorian homes. Have a great visit.

missy

We're planning the same kind of side trip from Las Vegas. How much farther is it from Sedona to go up to the Grand Canyon. Is the Old Creek Canyon on the way to the Grand Canyon from Sedona.?