PHX to Grand Canyon? Sedona?
 

Good morning travellers!

I am going to PHX for a few days to visit family and have one free day all to myself. I've been to both Sedona and the Grand Canyon but have not been to either in years. Approximately how long does it take to drive to each place from the phx area?

I would love to do a hot air balloon ride, have you done this? If so, where?

I always love to hear everyone's comments and stories. Thanks for sharing!

Two hours to Sedona and 4 to the GC from Phoenix.

You might be disappointed with all the development in Sedona--it has exploded, unfortunately. Still a pretty drive though and beautiful area, very doable in a day. If you did GC, you'd spend 8 hours on the road. In Sedona you'd have time for a nice hike.

No hot air balloons for me, sorry...can't help there. I like my feet on the ground! We've hiked extensively in both the GC and Sedona, favorite vacation spots, esp so as our DD lives in Phoenix. We fly in, get a car, get them, and head out. It's always a fabulous vacation.

You might want to spend a few hours in Jerome, a small mining town about 1/2 way between Phx & Sedona. Very charming.

You may have trouble finding hot air balloons at this time of year. Hot air balloons don't "lift" very well in hot air!

Thanks for all of your input! I'm going to keep looking into the Hot Air balloon experience- We're going in November so the heat won't be too much of a problem!

Is there any work-around to minimize the taxes associated with renting a car in Phoenix? It appears that the combo of state, county, and city is around 50%.

We got a good price and a new car with Fox Car Rentals. The Phoenix airport taxes are really bad. If your hotel has a shuttle, you could shuttle to the hotel and rent offsite, which would save the airport taxes.