My boyfriend and I would like to drive from Phoenix to Canyon de Chelly,Monument valley, Sedona and back to Phoenix.
Is there anything interesting to see (a town to spend an overnight,perhaps) between Phoenix and Chinle? What are the distances like?Should we go the other way and see the Grand canyon rather than canyon de Chelly?
We don't like touristy places and like the more "off the beaten track" route.
Also, hotel recommendations (price range $100-$200 per night) would be appreciated.

Between Phoenix & Canyon de Chelly --

Petrified Forest Nat'l Park, and the Painted Desert.

Montezuma Castle Nat'l Mon., Walnut Canyon Nat'l Mon.

Mapblast.com puts it at 376 miles between Phoenix and Canyon de Chelly, or 6 hours. I always add an hour to be more accurate.

Canyon de Chelly is VERY nice.

Sedona itself is very touristy, but the natural beauty around Sedona is worth visiting.

Sorry - can't help you on the hotels.

Check out the website for La Posada in Winslow and their restaurant Turquiose. We haven't stayed there yet but we have reservations there in mid October. It is a restored hotel originally built by the same architect that designed El Tovar at the Grand Canyon. I estimate that it is between Sedona and Canyon de Chelly (at least I hope it is!).

if you are going up that way i would encourage a visit to monument valley--IMO a great place

If you're not going to the Canyon, leave Phoenix early a.m. and get to Canyon de Chelly in time for lunch and take the afternoon tour from Thunderbird Lodge and stay the night. Then the next a.m. leave and drive to Monument Valley and take the afternoon tour and stay at Goulding's Lodge. Both tours are sensational and the scenery gorgeous, tour guides commentary interesting. You could easily reverse this trip. On the way back to Phoenix, outside Monument Valley is Navajo Monument, cliff dwellings and museum, easily hiked to and great to see.

We have been to Canyon de Chelly in the past and plan to go there again in Sept. I would recommend the full day tour. Originally I didn't want to do that, but in the end I was very happy we did. This year we are bringing our own SUV and that way we can hire our own guide. I believe that costs $20 or so per hour. You can do the drive from Phoenix to Chinle easily in one day. There are a few hotels in Chinle, Holiday Inn, Thunderbird. Sedona is way too touristy for me, but the surrounding countryside is spectacular. Stop in Jerome (an old mining town) if you have the time.

I just got back from there last week--Canyon de Chelly is wonderful but do the full-day tour. I broke my trip in Holbrook and stayed at the very kitschy Wigwam Motel on Route 66 and spent a day in the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert. Well worth seeing. I stayed at the Best Western in Chinle but I think the Thunderbird is a better bet, more authentic(both are about $100, nothing in Chinle is deluxe.) If you come back through Flagstaff, I'd also recommend Wupatki NM and/or Walnut Canyon NM if you're interested in the Anasazi.

My husband and I love driving through the Navajo Reservation. We have stayed in every "city" on the reservation. Window Rock and Tuba City are both interesting, and each has a reasonable motel. Try Kate's Diner in Tuba City, too. You should also try to see Ship Rock.