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

The distance from Scottsdale to Sedona by car is 125 miles, with a 2h2m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Scottsdale to Sedona drive are the Pioneer Living History Museum, the Ague Fria National Monument and Camp Verde.

Planning a Scottsdale to Sedona road trip itinerary

The Scottsdale to Sedona drive connects two of the most attractive destinations in Arizona.

Scottsdale is an upmarket city in the Greater Phoenix area, known for its restaurants, golf courses and spa resorts.

Great Scottsdale experiences include an old town tour in a stretch limo golf cart. There are also food tours and Segway tours.

If you wish to explore the surrounding desert scenery, you can do so on an e-bike tour, a sunset jeep adventure or a guided hike.

Fantastic Scottsdale accommodation choices include the Hotel Valley Ho for its weekend pool parties and the Talking Stick Resort for its golf course.

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. Fantastic spots around Sedona include Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte and Red Rock Crossing.

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.

Scottsdale to Sedona distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Scottsdale to Sedona is 125 miles. That makes for a driving time of around two hours and two minutes. The quickest route is up the I-17 and AZ-179.

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

Scottsdale to Sedona road trip attractions: Pioneer Living History Museum

The Pioneer Living History Museum to the north of Scottsdale 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.

Scottsdale to Sedona drive: Agua Fria National Monument

The Agua Fria National Monument is primarily of interest for it’s 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 Scottsdale 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.