Mesa AZ to Sedona drive: Best road trip stops, distance & time

The distance from Mesa AZ to Sedona by car is 133 miles, with a 2h14m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Mesa AZ to Sedona drive are the Pioneer Living History Museum, the Ague Fria National Monument and Camp Verde.

Planning a Mesa AZ to Sedona road trip itinerary

The Mesa AZ to Sedona drive takes you from the capital of Arizona to one of the state’s most entrancing towns.

Mesa is the third-biggest city in Arizona. You’ll find the Arizona Museum of Natural History here, as well as the Mesa Arts Center.

For fun in the sun, you can always take to the slides of the Golfland Sunsplash water park. Or, for hiking and outdoor activities in the Sonoran Desert, head for Usery Mountain Regional Park.

Top Mesa accommodation options with a pool include the Azure and the Delta.

Desert town Sedona sits in an inspirational setting amid red rock buttes, canyons and forest. It’s no wonder so many artists choose to live there.

The surrounding desert trails and state parks are magnificent for hiking and biking. You can also explore on a scenic helicopter flight, outback Jeep tour, guided ATV adventure or e-biking at Cathedral Rock.

Other Sedona experiences include Verde Valley wine tours, Jeep tours of the mystical Sedona vortexes, glassblowing workshops and nighttime stargazing sessions.

For great Sedona accommodation that makes the most of the views, try the Sky Ranch Lodge or Amara Resort.

Mesa AZ to Sedona distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Mesa AZ to Sedona is 133 miles. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and 14 minutes. The quickest route is up the I-17 and AZ-179.

The best stops to add to a Mesa AZ to Sedona road trip itinerary are the Pioneer Living History Museum, the Ague Fria National Monument and Camp Verde.

Mesa AZ to Sedona road trip attractions: Pioneer Living History Museum

The Pioneer Living History Museum to the north of Mesa AZ takes you back to the days when Arizona was a territory rather than a state. Across 20 reconstructed buildings and 90 acres, there’s a real Old West feel. Visitors can nosy around the blacksmith’s shop, dress shop and plenty more. Entrance to the on-site Telephone History Museum is included in the price.

Mesa AZ to Sedona drive: Agua Fria National Monument

The Agua Fria National Monument is primarily of interest for its architectural record. Hundreds of Native American pueblo structures, built between 1250 and 1450, have been found here. The Pueblo La Plata section is the best bet for visitors wanting to know more.

There’s also an extensive haul of petroglyphs between the dormant volcano and two mesas that provide the monument’s visual appeal. It’s a good spot for hiking and wildlife-viewing.

Best stops between Mesa AZ and Sedona: Camp Verde

Camp Verde is an all-action kind of place. Great Camp Verde activities include tackling the Verde River in an inflatable kayak, horseback-riding through the mountains and off-road Jeep tours.

Top attractions include the Out of Africa Wildlife Park – where you can also take on a zipline course – and the Verde Valley Archaeology Center. The latter looks at the life of the Native Sinagua people.

Great Camp Verde accommodation options include the Cliff Castle Casino Hotel and the Fort Verde Suites.