Hi,
We will be traveling from Sedona to GC SR stopping for sights along the way. After Flagstaff, I was thinking of going via Highway 89 and checking out Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments. While this may take longer, it appears to be much more scenic than via Williams to Route 64. Does that route have comparable scenic views? I know the IMAX is on that route but we plan on doing it anyway. Williams might be better though because next stop after GC will be Page so we will be heading out East Rim Drive again if we come in 89. Help me decide. How would you do it and why? Thanks.

You don't have to go through Williams at all to get to the Grand Canyon from Sedona. From Sedona, you can take 89 to Flagstaff and then take 180 the rest of the way to the park entrance. You'll pass some snow covered mountains and drive through forest lands this way. Or... you could take 89 from Sedona to Flagstaff and then continue on 89 further north to 64 where you would head west to get to the canyon. This route is more desert and less forest.

Either way you can bypass Williams altogether.

FWIW, I liked Sunset Crater/ Wupatki Ruins Nat'l Monument. As a monument and not a park, it's smaller and less visited. I found the natural and archeological history fascinating, and learning a bit about the peoples in the area informed my viewing of the GC. I remember that once we left the Wupatki Ruins visitors center, the drive felt a little long getting to the east entrance to GC SR, but not terrible and of course there's the continually undulating landscape to gawk at.

We were at GC for 3 days / 2 nights and in that time ended up driving back and forth along the SR drive a number of times; it was fine except when we'd get behind a very slow RV... and that can happen anywhere!

If you take 89N from Flaggstaff, you will see the Painted Dessert in the distance as you drive toward Cameron where 64 takes you into the park from the east. I have entered both ways and I prefer this one.

We just returned from Phoenix last night. Stayed in Sedona for 5 nights. Saw the Grand Canyon via Hwy 89N through Oak Creek Canyon (beautiful)to Hwy 64 entering the East Gate. We took the Desert View road stopping at all the scenic points. Awesome!! had lunch at a deli inside a market. We didn't take the shuttle along Hermit Road, btw no cars are allowed on that road. We left Sedona about 7:45am got the the East entrance in 2 hours. No line at the entrance, but on our way out there was a huge line of cars, probably about 1/2 hr. wait. We left by way of the South entrance on Hwy 64 to Hwy 180 through Flagstaff. We were back in Sedona by 5:00pm, only wanted to do a day trip. Another day we drove to Flagstaff for lunch ate at the Beaver St. Brewery and took a drive to the Sunset Crater and Painted Desert. Never made it to the Wupatki National Monument, turned back before that as we were low on gas. Thought we would go back along the way to the GC but we never did. I think the road from the South Entrance was scenic also, so I would go the same way if I would do it again.

I meant to say we only saw the Painted Desert in the distance, way distant!

Thanks JulieR. We may just do Sunset Crater and skip Wupatki due to the drive times. I think after Sunset Crater we will cut across and get on 180 to go in via 64. We are exiting via the East Drive and don't want to overlap.

I saw on another post you asked alot about Sedona and GC places to eat. Where did you wind up going and what looked good. Thanks. Tripdad.

Planthetripdad...see my lengthy post on our meals that I replied to titled (can't decide on Sedona restaurants). If you have any ?'s I would be glad to help. You will love it, Sedona is breathtaking!!