We are wondering at the actual drive time between these two points... I know distance in miles isn't always a factor. Also, can you recommend good places to stop for lunch along the way? Someplace to stop that shouldn't be missed?
Thanks!

Travel time is about four hours if you bomb straight up the interstates.

I would go up to Phoenix and then go west to Hwy 60 North. Through Wickenburg (sorry, I don't have lunch stop to recommend). Then up Hwy 89 to Prescott and Hwy 89A to Sedona.

That will take at least five to six hours depending on how long you stop. I would suggest at least a half hour in Jerome to look around the town. It is a former mining town, now an artists' colony.

This route will get you up into the mountains and some wonderful scenery.

While I love the drive thru WIckenburg and Prescott, that route is MUCH, MUCH longer than going I-10 & I-17

Since I'll be the one riding in the backseat, the drive thru the mountains may not work... Jerome sounds like an interesting town, though. I'll have to query my traveling companions on this.
Thanks!

A better route than I 10 is to take 77 (Oracle Rd) to 77, continue pass Florence and then go west on I 60 to I 17. It might take a bit longer, but there is far less traffic and it's a scenic drive.

Sorry that should read 77(Oracle Rd) to 79, then to Florence and then west on 60.