The Ultimate 5 Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

Arizona is a great state for a road trip, offering a wide variety of beautiful natural landscapes.

It’s known for its deep canyons, dramatic scenery, and adventures built around stunning land formations, where red rock canyons and wide open highways make you feel like you’ve stepped into a classic Western movie.

You’re looking for help to plan a road trip. In that case, this article will help you with the Ultimate 5-day Arizona road trip itinerary by covering most of the state’s beautiful places, including Phoenix, Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend.

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Table of Contents

The Perfect 5 Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Phoenix

Phoenix is a great city to start your Arizona road trip. After arriving at Phoenix Airport, pick up your rental car and enjoy some coffee or breakfast before exploring the city.

While Phoenix isn’t packed with major attractions, you can still make the most of your time by visiting the Desert Botanical Garden, hiking up Camelback Mountain, enjoying some surprisingly good local pizza, or checking out the vibrant arts scene.

After wrapping up your time in Phoenix, start your drive toward Sedona. The journey takes roughly 2 hours.

Where to stay in Sedona

Arabella Hotel Sedona, located at 725 Highway 179, Sedona, Arizona 86336, USA, sits in the heart of Sedona and offers comfortable rooms surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Find hotels and lodges in Sedona here

Day 2: Sedona

Sedona is a small desert town with stunning red rock mountains. You’ll find great hiking trails, good food, spiritual activities, wellness spots, and lots of shops to explore.

Today, you’re starting your adventure on the Red Rock Scenic Byway. It’s a 7.5-mile route that lets you enjoy Sedona’s famous red-rock views at your own pace. This place is perfect for hikers who want easy or moderate trails. You can try the Bear Mountain Trail, which offers stunning 360-degree views from the top.

Another great option is the Cathedral Rock Hike. It’s only 1.2 miles, but the 741-foot climb gives you a solid workout. The views are amazing, and you’ll feel like you’re surrounded by all the red rock mountains.

For one of Sedona’s most beautiful sunsets, make your way to the Airport Mesa Overlook. It’s a favorite spot for amazing views as the red rocks glow in the evening light.

You can also spend some time in Uptown Sedona. There are tons of shops, and it’s a fun place to walk around and explore.

Night stay: Sedona

Find hotels and lodges in Sedona here

Day 3: Grand Canyon

On this day, you’ll leave Sedona and make your way to the Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the best national parks in the U.S. for every type of traveler. Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, the North and South Rims offer something for everyone.

This day starts your adventures with a beautiful sunrise at one of the top viewpoints. Mather Point is a favorite since it’s right next to the Visitor Center. It’s easy to access and has a large platform to enjoy the scenery.

This place is great for hikers. Here are two top trails:

Bright Angel Trail – The most popular trail on the South Rim. It’s well-kept, has seasonal water stops, and even some shade.

South Kaibab Trail – A must-do for amazing views. It’s steeper and has no water, but the ridgeline path gives you stunning scenery the whole way.

You can also take a desert drive to explore some of the Grand Canyon’s most beautiful viewpoints. Like Grandview Point, Moran Point, Lipan Point, and the Desert View Watchtower, all offer beautiful views perfect for photographers.

Where to stay in the Grand Canyon

El Tovar Hotel is located at 1 El Tovar Road, Grand Canyon Village, South Rim, AZ 86023, United States. With its historic charm and cozy rooms, it’s one of the best places to enjoy both sunrise and sunset. The best part is that it sits right on the rim.

Find hotels near the Grand Canyon here

While Mather Point offers great views, it gets very crowded during peak season. A Grand Canyon South Rim helicopter tour is one of the best ways to understand the canyon’s scale, as it flies over the widest and deepest sections and shows both the North and South Rims in a short time.

Day 4: Antelope Canyon

On this day, you’ll leave Grand Canyon and make your way to Antelope Canyon.

Antelope Canyon is one of the most stunning and photographed slot canyons in the world. Known for its beautiful light beams and unique rock formations, feels like one of the beautiful places in Arizona.

It gives visitors a magical experience as they walk through its narrow, winding passages. It is one of the best experiences you must have to feel it.

Antelope Canyon has two main parts: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon.

Upper Antelope Canyon:

Upper Canyon is shaped like an ‘A’ and has more room to walk. This is where you see those popularly photographed sunbeams in the canyon. It’s also at ground level.

This place is famous for its beautiful light beams, especially during midday in the summer when sunlight shines through the narrow openings above.

Lower Antelope Canyon:

Lower Canyon is shaped like a ‘V’, having a larger opening on the top side, so there’s more light coming in. You’ll need to go down into the canyon using stairs to experience this place.

It’s known for bright colors and detailed rock shapes, which give the best adventurous vibes.

Other must-see attractions on this day include Lake Powell. Located near Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell is a beautiful lake that stretches over 186 miles, making it perfect for boating, swimming, and relaxing.

Where to stay in the Antelope Canyon way

Hyatt Place Page is located at 1126 North Navajo Drive, Page, AZ 86040, United States. Offers modern, comfortable rooms located near Antelope Canyon.

Find hotels in Page (Antelope Canyon) here

Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo land and can only be visited with an authorized guided tour. Popular time slots often sell out well in advance, so it is important to plan and book ahead when visiting Page.

Day 5: Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is a very unique and impressive canyon of the Colorado River in Page, Arizona. It’s a 1,000-foot deep cliff in the shape of a horseshoe that connects to the Grand Canyon, making this place one of the most well-known tourist spots.

You’ve likely spotted this place on Instagram or even a computer screensaver—it’s that famous.

Here rocks’ colours are changing based on the sunlight, creating beautiful scenes perfect for photos. Morning and evening are the best times to visit to experience sunrise and sunset in this place.

If you have some time, you can visit Glen Canyon Dam. The dam is located in Page, Arizona, just a few miles south of the Utah border. It was built to generate electricity, store water for the arid Southwest, and provide recreational opportunities. It’s also one of the most beautiful dams in the U.S, making it well worth a visit.

What to plan and book for an Arizona road trip

DiscoverCars helps you find flexible car rental options for exploring Arizona’s deserts, national parks, and scenic highways at your own pace.

Booking.com makes it easy to book hotels near Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and Page, keeping your stays close to the route.

GetYourGuide is useful for booking guided experiences like Antelope Canyon tours, where entry is only allowed with a local guide.

Saily helps you stay connected for maps and navigation in remote areas with limited mobile coverage.

SafetyWing offers coverage for unexpected situations during long road trips and outdoor adventures.

Faqs:

1. Which month is best to visit Arizona?

The best time to visit Arizona is between September and May. Early fall and late spring can be warmer than expected, while winter can get quite cold depending on where you go. Overall, October, November, February, and March are the best months to visit Arizona, especially if you plan to go hiking.

2. What is the most scenic drive in Arizona?

The most scenic drive in Arizona is the Red Rock Scenic Byway. The Byway is a destination you’ll want not only to drive, but also to stop, stroll, hike, bike, golf, shop, dine, stay, and simply enjoy.

3. What is the number one attraction in Arizona?

The Grand Canyon is the number one attraction in Arizona, known for its scenic views and hiking trails.

4. Do I need a car?

If you want to experience an Arizona road trip smoothly and explore all the scenic views and desert landscapes, having a car is essential.

Conclusion:

In this article, the Ultimate 5 Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary, I hope you now have a good idea of the Arizona road trip—from Sedona’s beautiful red rock mountains to Horseshoe Bend, one of the most impressive canyons carved by the Colorado River.

I hope this guide inspires you to explore these amazing places on your own. Happy exploring!

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