OK, so I've worked out the first stages of my driving tour from Phoenix in early March:
Day 1 - Phoenix to Grand Canyon S. Rim via Sedona & Oak Creek Canyon
Day 2 - GC
Dax 3 - GC to Monument valley, afternoon tour of MV

But what now? I was thinking of the following:
Day 4 - MV to Holbrook via Canyon de Chelly
Day 5 - Stop at Petrified Forest/painted desert, then back to Phoenix

Too much? Would appreciate your comments & suggestions.

Andre

Hi Andre,

This is certainly a driving tour - lots of miles, miles, miles. (Personally, I would stop off at Jerome before Sedona and visit Walnut Canyon near Flagstaff on the way to the GC.)

You may want to consider going back to Phoenix via Arizona 87 from Winslow (approximately 30 minutes West of Holbrook on I40 to connect to AZ87)

AZ 87 will take you through seven ecological zones between Winslow and Phoeniz. Some of the prettiest and diverse land in the country. From Winslow it is about a 3 hour drive back to Phoenix.

Visited Sedona for a week and plenty to do so don't overlook spending a day or TWO there!! Beautiful Red Rocks, hiking path, Cathedral monument (very inspirational) and Schebly Road. The Grand Canyon paled in comparison (we didn't travel down the canyon though). Don't miss Jerome and the many Indian ruins in the area. Also, above Flagstaff is are Indian ruins adjacent to a Volcanic Crater Nat'l park. Sooooo many things to do! Sedona is a very artistic community so window shopping at the many art studios is enjoyable too!!

Thanks for the replies!

To paint a more complete picture, I should say that we will be based in Scottsdale for 2 weeks at friends', so there will be time for relaxation on both ends of the trip.

I'll give some thought to spending a night between Phoenix and GC though.

Michael, rte 87 looks great, but could I have problems with snow in mid March? Looks like pretty mountainous terrain.

Again, does anyone have opinions on the MV to Phoenix portion of my trip? How much time to budget for Canyon de Chelly and Petrified Forest/Painted Desert?

Andre

i took the all-day tour of canyon de chelly. absolutely wonderful scenery and history. unlike g.c. and mon. valley, you are in a deep, narrow valley . you can stay at thunderbird lodge next door. painted desert and petrified forest i felt only worth a drive-through, either on down to phoenix or 87. painted desert interesting, can see plenty from the car. pretty dry country and roads very good. it will be a great trip.

ttt

You won't have any problem with snow

What you intend doing is perfectly sound and it is not too much or difficut driving. You might consider taking off for de Chelly as soon as you finish the afternoon tour of MV. It is about a 90 mile drive and you can overnight in Chinle and spend all of day four in de Chelly. On day 5 back to PHx spending a few hours in Petrified Forest NP. It might be a good idea to overnight in Sedona before heading to the Gr. Canyon.