travel from Phoenix to Sedonna

How many hours will it take me to drive from the Marriott in Scottsdale to Enchantment Resort in Sedonna?

travel from Phoenix to Sedonna

The drive is an easy one. It%26#39;s highway almost all the way and will take about 2 hours.

Just back from Sedona Summit

We stayed in building 34 upstairs and had a very nice, new, clean unit. When I called earlier this month, I was told by the front desk that the Mesa units were better, but later in the month, I finally got the real scoop from reservations...Sunset one- bedrooms are the newest and nicest. While they have queen beds instead of kings and slightly smaller square footage, they are nicer and in the newest buildings. We had a huge bathroom with jacuzzi tub and separate walk-in shower, 2 flat screen TVs in bedroom and living room, washer/dryer and full kitchen with the ever popular granite countertops. Balcony overlooked the pool and hot tub and had a good view of the red rocks. My only complaint is the ';pleather couch'; - very slippery. (Our family is Diamond Resort members, maybe members get the newer units.)

Brace yourself for the HARD SELL upon check-in. Ridiculously deceiving and time consuming process. JUST SAY NO (about 5 times), unless you truly are interested in buying a timeshare.

I liked the location of the Summit - away from the construction and congestion of the Y area. If you can wait a year to go to Sedona, I would. The road work is supposed to be complete this year and should make a huge difference in your experience.

Weather was beautiful - needed a jacket and layers the first few days and at night, but sunny skies prevailed.

Restaurants:Had a nice lunch at Rene at Tlaquepaque(which really is a lovely shopping experience),a boisterous and typical mexican food meal at Javelina Cantina, delicious pizza and quiet atmosphere at Apizza Heaven. Drinks at Enchantment was enjoyable on the patio at sunset. We had no trouble getting past the security at the resort. Also had dinner at El Tovar at the Grand Canyon. Loved the historic lodge atmosphere, the fires in the lobby and dining room were a welcome sight after a very cold day at the park. Food was fine, but not wonderful. We had a room in the eastern end of Kachina%26#39;s east bldg. so we felt like we were practicallly staying at El Tovar - a 60 second walk. Beautiful Native American items at the Hopi House - old pawn jewelry, pottery,sandpaintings,etc. We took RedRox advice and entered through the east gate and worked our way over to the village. We had no trouble finding parking at each of the lookouts. Sunset at Yavapai Point wasn%26#39;t crowded, either. This time of year the position of the sun isn%26#39;t perfect for sunsets, but the Canyon is absolutely breathtaking any time.

Back to Sedona...Pink Jeeps - I liked the tour much more than I thought I would - incredible suspension on those jeeps, so you don%26#39;t feel jostled or rattled to death. Guide was informative and fun. We learned a lot about the natural history and geology of the area. Took the Broken Arrow tour - exclusive to Pink Jeeps and not too long.

Hikes: Brin%26#39;s mesa from the west off Dry Creek Road -need a high clearance vehicle to get to trailhead from that direction. Burn on top of mesa is still very apparent -but great views from top of mesa and down Soldier%26#39;s pass a few hundred feet. Couthouse Butte - easy,scenic loop hike.

Sunsets: Sunset from lower Red Rocks loop was beautiful. We parked on the side of the road and walked up a hill side of a vacant lot for a great view of Cathedral Rock, et al. Earlier we enjoyed walking along Oak Creek at the Red Rocks Crossing area and catching an early sunset there.

All in all, we loved our time in beautiful Sedona. Great easy day hikes. lovely drives up Oak Creek Canyon, Red Rocks loop, Dry Creek/Boynton Canyon, plenty of restaurant choices, great weather, beautiful fruit trees and manzanita in bloom and sunset heaven!

Just back from Sedona Summit

Thanks for the detailed report. And glad that you enjoyed your stay in Sedona. Not surprising, but it%26#39;s hard to imagine or understand until you visit for yourself. The same for the jeep tours. So many people resist beforehand, thinking it%26#39;s a touristy, gimmick. Not so, as you discovered. In fact, doing a jeep tour here in Sedona is generally the highlight of the vacation for many, and at the very least, it%26#39;s an educational and entertaining way to get introduced and oriented to the spirit of Sedona.

Hope you%26#39;ll return again soon.

Just back from Sedona Summit

Thanks for all your help, RedRox, in planning our trip. You are a wonderful ambassador for Sedona. My only regret is not eating at Elote and not staying longer!

Yeah, the difference between Javelina Cantina and Elote Cafe is like night and day. So you have a reason to come back.

Sounds like you got to do a lot on your visit to AZ and enjoyed it. That is what it is all about. Glad you had a good time. Yeah, that RedRox can give some good advice...lol.

Things to do for teenagers

I will be staying at a condo in Scottsdale in April with my husband, my 13 year old daughter and her friend. Any must-sees for the teenage set? They wanted to do a water park, but they all seem closed for the season. We were also thinking of a dude ranch type experience -- and I would love them to experience some Native American culture.

Unfortunately, they are not big hikers and do not enjoy museums. (I take no responsibility for this!!!) We will be going to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, but I%26#39;m looking for some fun for them in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.

Thanks!!

Things to do for teenagers

They might enjoy spending a few hours at Desert Ridge. It%26#39;s an outdoor mall with good shopping and restaurants and people watching for them to hang out. If there is any way that you can trick them into going to the Heard museum, they will experience the native American culture and may change their attitude about museums.

Here are a few other ideas: www.azcentral.com

Enjoy your visit.

Things to do for teenagers

If you are here in the first half of April try going to Native Trails for some native American culture. The Civic Center area is nice and would make a good outing for lunch.

scottsdalecvb.com/planning-tools/…

If you can coax them into visiting The Little Red School House for just a few minutes they%26#39;ll get a feel for life here 100 years ago.

http://www.scottsdalemuseum.com/

Ron%26#39;s suggestion of Desert Ridge is a good one. They will also like the trendy stores at Fashion Square Mall.

Visit Carefree/Cave Creek area for lunch and stop at Heard Museum North at El Pedregal. Reata Pass Steakhouse/Greasewood Flat is a historic stage coach stop with atmosphere and good sandwiches for lunch. Head out toward the Apache Trail and stop at Goldfield Ghost Town (although they are probably too old for that). Also, there%26#39;s horseback riding at MacDonald%26#39;s Farm in north Scottsdale.

Since the water parks are not open yet and you probably don%26#39;t have a big pool at your condo ... maybe you could book a service at one of the resort spas then spend the day using their pools and amenities. I do it myself for a bit of a vacation from daily life. Westin Kierland, The Phoenecian, Fairmont Princess, or either Marriot at Camelback or Desert Ridge would work.

Have a great trip!

Great suggestions! I will look into all of them...and I love the idea of booking a spa day - I hadn%26#39;t thought of that.

Thanks very much!!

So glad you like the spa idea. It is something the girls will never forget! Many are offering specials this time of year. Have fun!

These ideas may lengthen your Sedona part of the trip, but thought I would tell you anyway.

There is a cowboy chuckwagon dinner show called Blazin%26#39; M Ranch in Clarkdale, AZ, about 16 miles from Sedona (near Jerome and Cottonwood) with shows and a little town for shopping and dinner. Check out http://www.verdecanyonrr.com/

There is also listed on that page the Verde canyon railroad with a great train trip.

In Jerome there is the Haunted Hamburger with great views all the way to Sedona and a hamburger bar.

Then there are the Pink Jeep tours in Sedona not to be missed. Be sure to take the one with Devils staircase and she will never forget this trip!

Finally, back in Phoenix, I find that young people like the atmosphere at Alice Cooper%26#39;s Cooperstown sports bar/Hard Rock type place with great home cooking, and a lively loud crowd.

I would also take a young person to Peoria, AZ on the west side of Phoenix (only about a 30 minute drive at the most) to the Space Challenger Museum. It%26#39;s a tremendous place for kids to visit. www.azchallenger.org They even have ride simulators and a space camp.

Since she is a girl, she may like the Bead Museum in Glendale, very close to the Challenger Museum. It%26#39;s a cute museum with a store that sells beads from around the world.

If you do go to the west side to the two museums, there is a chocolate factory with free tastes in Glendale too! It%26#39;s called Cerreta.

Have fun!!

Wow! You guys are great! I really appreciate the ideas -- and they seem to be right on the money...now I%26#39;m thinking we don%26#39;t have enough time in Arizona!!!

One night stop over to LA

Hi,

We are travelling from Grand Canyon to LA, we would probably be better stopping overnight on the way. Is Scottsdale ideal? Where is best place (area ) so it is not out of our way?

Any suggestions would be really appreciated

Thanks Lisa x

One night stop over to LA

Hi Lisa,

The most direct route from Grand Canyon to LA will be along I-40, not I-17 to I-10. Do you want to visit Scottsdale in particular? It will be out of your way, but would make a nice change for you. I%26#39;d suggest staying near Old Town Scottsdale as it has the most charm. Let us know what time of year and budget and we can give you some hotel ideas.

One night stop over to LA

We will stop anywhere direct, so if it is a bit out the way then I would prefer somewhere en route. PLease give me some ideas, we basically want a room for the night basic,clean and as cheap as possible. Meal out, bed and breakfast, that%26#39;s it really.

Cheers x

Oh it will be August this year

xx

The half way point would be around Needles CA, or if you get away late from the Canyon you could stay in Kingman. Since I%26#39;m not familiar with either of those try posting on AZ or CA forums for some ideas. One thing I do know is it will be hot in August :-)

I-40 west to I-15 south is the most direct route. Kingman, Needles, Barstow are the three towns that you could stop overnight. All have many basic decent hotels and motels, something like Day%26#39;s Inn or Best Western. I%26#39;ve driven this route many many times and rarely make reservations. Occasionally I get a surprise when there is an event in town like an antique car rally. You might pick up a hotel/motel coupon booklet in a rest area or coffee shop along the way. And yes, it will be a very hot drive. Make sure the air conditioner works in your car and bring and drink plenty of water. Buy gasoline in Arizona before you cross the border to California if you want cheaper prices. It%26#39;s an easy, all highway desert drive until you reach the greater metropolitan area of Los Angeles. Then....traffic!

Many people make this drive in one day. It takes about 8 hours.

Awww, thanks guys for helping me out. You have given me loads of info to go off.

So it can be done in about 8 hours?? That is do--able I suppose. That was going to be my next question but you have saved me asking it, plus it saves a night

Thanks again.

xx

Just to help you confirm your decision...I live in Southern California, vacation in AZ every year and have made all of these various trips several times. Definately drive straight through if you are up to it. I would never suggest anyone spend the night in Needles or Barstow, maybe Kingman. But I would hate for your first night%26#39;s stay in California be in one of the least appealing cities in the State. Needles makes Hell look like a nice place to stay, especially in August. And Barstow%26#39;s claim to fame is it%26#39;s where our Marine%26#39;s store all of their munitions. PLEASE, drive straight through.

Stuckintraffic,

I am going to follow your advice and do the full trip. Early get up methinks!! Thankyou.

I will imagine it as being a Scotland- Highland to Lands End adventure with heat! (that would be about the same length of time)

Scottsdale- trolley/restuaurants

I will be on the McKellips and N Scottsdale location

I think there is a free trolley in Scottsdale, in fact what I printed off indicates 2 - one downtown and one below it. Is it my imagination or does this trolley extend to just north of where I will be?

Also does anyone know of any restaurants nearby where I am staying?

Thanks

Scottsdale- trolley/restuaurants

You%26#39;re right - there is the Downtown Trolley and the Neighborhood Trolley which goes as far south as Roosevelt (about 1/2 mile north of McKellips). You can also use the free Orbit minibuses that go to Tempe. You%26#39;d be on the Orbit Earth line which goes to Tempe Marketplace - several restaurants there.

There are some restaurants along Scottsdale Rd. A good Italian place (can%26#39;t think of the name right now) but mostly chain types. Atlas Bistro on Scottsdale between McDowell and Thomas is wonderful! Duke%26#39;s Sports Bar on McDowell is good casual food. George%26#39;s Gyros on McKellips has fabulous sandwiches. There%26#39;s a Hometown Buffet on Scottsdale Rd.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

Scottsdale- trolley/restuaurants

Thanks I wondered what that orbit thing was. Wish that trolley was a bit closer. First time that I have not stayed in metrocenter area. However I have been to Old town before.

row cell

Grand Canyon to Las Vegas Directions

What are the best driving directions? I%26#39;ve already done a Hoover Dam tour a few years ago, but it would be cool to pass over it again. Are there any sites between the 2 worth stopping for?

I anticipate leaving the Grand Canyon Sunday morning sometime.

Thanks

Grand Canyon to Las Vegas Directions

The primary route does pass over Hoover Dam. Hwy 64 from GCNP south to Williams, I-40 west to Kingman, Hwy 93 north to Las Vegas.

For diversion you could drive on the old Route 66 from Ash Fork or Seligman to Kingman. It is more scenic than I-40 and adds an hour to your driving time plus stops.

Grand Canyon to Las Vegas Directions

Thanks. What is there to see/do on Route 66?

If I a correct, the I-40 directions is about a 4-5 hour drive. So then taking Rte 66 would make it about a 6 hour drive?

THanks

This could also be your last chance to drive over Hoover Dam, since I believe the bypass bridge is scheduled to open next year (they want to get cars off the dam for security reasons). You%26#39;ll still be able to park and visit it though.

Along Route 66 in Arizona on the way to Las Vegas there are many things to see:

-Grand Canyon Caverns (one of the rarest of dry caverns- average 8% humidity + a giant sloth %26amp; mummified bobcat)

- Hualapai Indian Reservation

stop by their hotel in Peach Springs and visit their gift shop or have a traditional Hualapai taco + they have a saltwater pool

- Drive by Valentine, AZ

very picturesque + has a post office (for Valentines day postmark!)

-stop in at Seligmans old diner

stop in to see old James Dean memoribilia

- Drive by the old airline boneyard

looks like an old airport right before you get into Kingman

- Drive through Chloride (used to be a ghost town) off of HWY 93

it%26#39;s just a few miles past Kingman on the way to Vegas- drive through Chloride to the end of the street to see Roy Purcells giant rock paintings

Hope this helps.

Have fun!!

recipes cream

Help needed for best routes to parks.

I am planning to drive from los angeles to grand canyon, then to bruce canyon, zion park and death valley. staying 2 nights in grand canyon and one night each in the other parks.

can someone pls help me with a best route to travel and can u also pls tell me what is the driving time between the parks .

also would be rateful if u could tell me if there is a big difference between the parks and any suggestions of any other parks to visit would be appreciate.

thks very much

ysh

Help needed for best routes to parks.

May I suggest that you get on a map service and get familiar with the area where you will be driving. You might also want to buy a large format US road atlas.

GCNP - Bryce Canyon: Hwy 64 from east entrance to Hwy 89 north through AZ %26amp; UT. 290 miles, 5 hours.

Bryce - Zion: Hwy 89 south to Hwy 9 west: 110 miles, 2 hours

Zion - Las Vegas: Hwy 9 %26amp; 17 to I-15 south to LV, 2.5 hours

Help needed for best routes to parks.

Hi,

Thank you for traveling to our beautiful part of the U.S. we appreciate your visit.

If you are driving from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon, the quickest route would be Interstate #10 East from L.A. to Interstate #15 in Ontario, CA.

North on Interstate #15 to Barstow, CA. Then East on Interstate #40 to Williams, AZ then north on Hwy #64 to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This route is 571 miles of a full days drive.

Depending on how many days you have available and if you are interested in other areas in the section of the U.S. you have mentioned, from the Grand Canyon you can visit Monument Valley, Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon on your way to Bryce National Park. From Bryce you could also visit Cedar Breaks National Monument on your way to Zion National Park.

Then from Zion to Death Valley you could also visit the Valley Of Fire State Park just north of Las Vegas. So you will need to do a bit more planning as there is even more to see and do than I have listed. Enjoy your trip.

Thks tourguy and bobbear. will get a map of the area and will have a look and get my bearings.

thanks tourguy for all the info abt the mileage and hrs of driving and also the areas to visit. much appreicate. i want to leave abt 7 days for the visits to the park. would that be enough?

thks again.ysh

Lots of miles and too much to see in only 7 days. I%26#39;m really not sure you can get to Death Valley and actually see anything. When is this trip? If summer, skip Death Valley.

Here%26#39;s a plan according to your wishes...

Day 1 Depart LA very early, get to GC late in the day. About 9 hours of driving.

Day 2 Grand Canyon all day

Day 3 Drive to Bryce about 4 hours driving. Only 4-6 hours of visiting.

Day 4 Bryce all day then 2 hour drive to Zion area.

Day 5 Zion all day.

Day 6 Drive to Death Valley area 5-6 hours.

Day 7 Death Valley and then???

Thks Casa Azul, for the information u gave me it is a great help . If i ve 9 days would i be able to cover death valley? Truly is there alot of difference in these parks?? I am planning this trip from 18/10 to 13/11 and planning to spend 26/10 to 3/11 for the parks.

would this be too cold? hoping to spend at least 2 nights in grand canyon and after death valley i am driving to Las vegas.

would there b any other parks worth seeing other than these except for grand canyon?

any suggestions would be very welcome.

thanks again. truly appreciate yr help.

ysh

The parks are all unique and entirely different from each other and all very much worth seeing. You just need more time.