I'm coming to Sedona via Phoenix in March '08- What can we visit on the way to sedona- we can't check in til 4pm on Sat-arriving & staying Friday in Phoenix-wanna see as much as possible in a week-looking for things we can visit on the way north.

Prescott and Jerome are both interesting and fun towns to just take a look through on your way to Sedona. You can't miss the signs for them on your way.

What kind of places are you looking to see? (Prescott has a nice town square, but to me it is not worth going out of your way for as a tourist)

A side trip to Jerome is a fun way to spend a couple of hours. Have lunch at the Haunted Hamburger. Good cheeseburgers and fries as well as a good view and fun "people watching".

I would stop at Montezuma Castle, a short distance off I-17.(If you have a national parks pass, you can use it) Jerome's museum(also NP pass can be used) is VERY interesting with a good film of the area and lunch at The Asylum.

If you go to Prescott, then go to Jerome via Mingus Mountain. Nice drive and a great view of the Verde Valley

All the above suggestions are good.
I would add Montezuma's Well just of I-17 before you turn off to Sedona.

Another vote for Montezuma's Castle...I thought it was a good break in the drive for a pitstop as well!

When we visited Sedona (from Phoenix!) we did it indirectly and drove, via Apache Junction, Superior (World's smallest museum!) and Globe up to the White Mountains, where we had an overnight in Pinetop. Next day, we 'did' the Petrified Forest and Meteor Crater before continuing to Sedona.

But it was very indirect!