Dolores

We were planning to go up to Sedona on Rt. 179N until I noticed Rt. 260. IS 260 more scenic? But then 260 does look about 2 hours longer and time is a bit short here. Which route would you suggest?

Myer

By going up do you mean from the south to sedona?

I don't see a #260. I see a 179 from Oak Creek to Sedona an #17 that bypasses Sedona.

If from the North 89 down to Sedona is very scenic.

I didn't find 179 and then 17 to Phoenix to be scenic at all.

My guess is that you want to get to the Sedona area (read that to mean Sedona surroundings and not the town) as quickly as possible and then get out and see what makes this place famous. The surroundings.

bigtyke

Do you mean getting to Camp Verde by going 260 from Payson? and then from Camp Verde. or just from Camp Verde thru ottonwood where you would pick up 89 to Sedona.

260 from Payson to Camp Verde (the Gen. Crook Trail) is one of my favorite roads, but that relates to getting to Camp Verde rather than the road to Sedona.

From Camp Verde, 260 & 89 is not any more scenic than 179 from the I-17 turn off and that portion is not 2 hours longer.

Dolores

Coming from Phoenix, Rt. 260 crosses RT 17 at the Camp Verde area and goes up to the Cottonwood area where we could turn onto 89A North.
Rt. 179 is farther north (off 17)about 12 miles and that connects with 89A at the Sedona area.
The stretch of 89A between Cottonwood and Sedona is marked scenic. Torn between that and 179 which looks a good bit shorter. It isn't?
Thank you both for your help.

USNR

179 connect Sedona with I-17, a distance of about 17 miles. However, this road is now undergoing considerable reconstruction, and the drive can be quite slow, especially between the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona.

For easier driving, leave I-17 at Camp Verde and take 260 to Cottonwood, and from there take 89A east to Sedona. From Cottonwood to Sedona, it is a divided highway, very easy to drive, quite scenic as you near Sedona, and about 19 miles between Cottonwood and Sedona.

Francie

Take the route that goes through Cottonwood. We stayed in Sedona over the Christmas Holiday and the hotel we stayed at sent us an email urging us not to drive 179/89A due to heavy construction through Village of Oak Creek, etc. They are building roundabouts and traffic is considerably slower. But, you may want to check this out at present.
For a change, we liked taking the drive through Cottonwood for the change of scenery. Very good roads.

Francie

emd

I will be in Sedona at end of April, and I have been watching this site the AZ Hwy has set up re the 179 construction. There are weekly updates on all aspects of the construction, alternatives to 179, etc.

http://www.scenic179.com/

emd

I'm getting worried. I'll be in Sedona a wk. from today for 5 days. The website (http://www.scenic179.com/) says that 89A is under construction now at the Y area. This sounds bad. It also says that SR 89A will be reduced to one lane in each direction within the next few weeks to allow for the safe construction of the Brewer roundabout.

Also apparently in front of Tlaquepaque they are putting in a new storm drain in the middle of the road. Website says,"Because the installation will be down the center of the road, traffic impacts are certain."

I am taking a close friend and it is her first time to Sedona. I've been telling her about it for years, and now I am worried there is going to be terrible traffic, esp. over the weekend, at these major areas.

USNR, if you see this, how bad is the traffic this week? We are staying at Sky Ranch and will hike out west off Dry Creek Rd. mostly, but we will want to go into the Village of Oak Creek, to Tlaquepaque, and up into Oak Creek Canyon. I'm thinking of driving in to Sedona the back way that you described (I17 to Camp Verde, 260 to Cottonwood, 89A east to Sedona)next Thurs. night. Do you think that is neccessary on a Thurs. night about 8 pm or will I be ok on 179 at that hour?

I can't avoid the construction areas the whole 5 days. I'm really concerned that this is going to impact my friend's 1st trip to the area and her impression of the area.

Any other insight or advice?

USNR

It's not a problem. I pass through that construction area daily, and the traffic moves quite smoothly. On weekends, with the barriers moved to the side of the road, things are even better.

emd

Thanks for putting my mind at ease. The website makes it sound so major starting this week.

Myer

Good thing we planted USNR in Sedona.

AdobeH

There is no longer road work of any major concern going on in the Village of Oak Creek on 179.
The road work is north on 179 5 miles from the village just south of 89A and at the junction of 179/89A.
Traffic stops are few and far between and not for long.
179 is by far the most scenic drive to Sedona from coming north on Highway 17 exit 298.
I live in the Village of Oak Creek.

dmlove

AdobeH, we'll be driving from Phoenix to Sedona on Saturday. From your post, I gather we should drive up 17, turn off on 179 towards Sedona. This goes through Oak Creek Canyon on the way to Sedona? Is the Village of Oak Creek someplace we should plan on stopping?

Should we continue beyond Sedona on 89 or 89A? We only have one day (on the way to visit people in Prescott).

Thanks much.

bigtyke

Oak creek canyon is beyond (north) of Sedona.

Given a choice, drive down the canyon (from Flagstaff to Sedona) rather than driving up the canyon.

dmlove

I don't have that choice, as we're flying into Phoenix and immediately heading for Sedona. How far north of Sedona should we go? Is Oak Creek Canyon along Rte. 89? Where is the Village of Oak Creek?

Myer

The Village of Oak Creek is just south of Sedona. 5 - 7 miles.

Between the Village and Sedona you have Bell Rock on the right (east).

Oak Creek Canyon is just above Sedona on the way to Flagstaff. There's a 2,000 foot elevation change going up as you go north from Sedona. Very nice scenic drive.

I drove from north to south so I don't know what it's like going the other way.