The Best Roadtrips from Phoenix
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Roadtrip 6: Zion National Park
- Distance from Phoenix: 6 hours
- Top things to do: Hike the Emerald Pools trail, Pa’rus bike trail, Enjoy coffee with a view at Deep Creek, Zion Canyon scenic drive, Hike the Watchman trail
- Where to stay: Majestic View Lodge
Although Zion is quite a drive from Phoenix, as one of America’s most unique & breathtaking national parks, it’s definitely worthy of a visit. To get a little more bang-for-your-buck, you can always add on side trips to Horseshoe Bend, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Bryce Canyon, all 3 of which are amazing in their own right.
Definitely plan a sidetrip to Horseshoe Bend. As one of the top photographed sites in the Southwest, it’s worthy of the detour!
There are numerous ways to enjoy the scenery at Zion. Hiking, scenic drives, and horseback riding will all give you a up close and personal view of the colorful rock formations. A leisurely walk or bike ride along the paved Pa’Rus trail is a great place to begin your journey (it starts at the visitor center). Anyone up for a moderately intense hike will want to make the trek to Emerald Pools. You will get to see 2 beautiful and rare desert waterfalls, plus enjoy magnificent rock formations on this one.
Possibly the most scenic bike ride in the country!
Staying in nearby Springdale will give you easy access to the park. Additionally, downtown Springdale is a great place to refuel, relax, and shop after a long day on your feet. Free shuttles operate from March-November.
Roadtrip 7: Pagosa Springs/Durango
- Distance from Phoenix: 8 hours
- Top things to do: Soak in natural hot springs, Ride the Durango Silverton railroad, Take a horseback riding tour, Hike Treasure Falls, Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park, Stroll around downtown Durango, Attend Colorfest (annual hot air balloon fest)
- Where to stay: Elk Trace Inn
Pagosa Springs is really one of the hidden treasures of the Southwest. Home to the world’s deepest hot springs, this really is the place to go to unwind and relax for a weekend. While it may be the furthest roadtrip on this list, it’s also the most relaxing! At Pagosa Springs resort, you can soak in 10+ different natural mineral enriched pools. People have been coming here for years to soothe joint and muscle aches, and cure all sorts of ailments. In general, it’s simply a great place to let all your stresses go.
The mineral pools vary in temp from the mid 90’s to a scorching 110 degrees!
Pagosa is an outdoor lovers dream destination. Whether you prefer to hike, bike, horseback ride, kayak…you can do just about anything here. You can hike forever in the massive San Juan wilderness.
Do not miss out on Treasure Falls, a tremendous 105 foot waterfall that requires no more than a 1/2 mile hike to see. The waterfall is also partially visible from the road for those unable to hike.
Nearby Durango offers a plethora in the outdoor department as well. There are endless trails to explore. To take in the scenery in a more leisurely manner, hop aboard the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Get ready for some of the best scenery you will ever experience: I was so impressed! What a gorgeous ride, especially during the peak of fall. Really, nothing compares to the stunning mountain vistas & dazzling fall foliage you will enjoy on this once-in-a-lifetime train ride.
Such a gorgeous relaxing ride! Totally worth the price!
After your ride, take a stroll around Downtown Durango. You will find lots of great restaurants here including the Jean Pierre Bakery which serves awesome desserts. Head back for a relaxing night at the Elk Trace Inn, a gorgeous secluded B&B which is by far one of the top I’ve ever had the pleasure of staying in.
For more vacation ideas, you can check out my Pagosa Springs travel guide.
Roadtrip 8: Sedona
- Distance from Phoenix: 2 hours
- Top things to do: Hike the Teacup trail, Walk across Devil’s Bridge trail, Brunch at the Enchantment Resort, Oak Creek Canyon drive, Red Rock Scenic Byway, Red Rock State Park, Hike Doe Mountain, Shop in Uptown Sedona, Dinner at Cucina Rustica
- Where to stay: The Inn Above Oak Creek
Sedona is one of the best vacation destinations in the country. Hikers, photographers, and nature lovers definitely need to put Sedona on the top of their bucket list. The scenery here is simply unparalleled. I never even heard of Sedona until I moved to adjacent Flagstaff: I took a daytrip here every single weekend without fail and hiked the majority of trails. Ancient red rock formations dominate the landscape. Whether you enjoy a scenic drive, a hike, or simply dine al fresco, gorgeous red rocks make a bold background statement.
A drive along Oak Creek Canyon is a must while in the vicinity. This drive begins near the dramatic red rocks of Uptown Sedona and ends 14 miles later near the beautiful pine studded landscapes of Flagstaff. You will have your choice amongst 100’s of miles of incredible hiking trails. You can walk across Devil’s Bridge, Sedona’s largest sandstone arch. I hiked so many fabulous trails here that it is hard to recommend just one. You can check out my Sedona hiking guide for a few of my favorites.
Not afraid of heights? Make the trek across Devil’s Bridge.
Uptown Sedona & The Village of Tlaquepaque are both scenic places to shop, dine, and browse galleries. In terms of dining, The Hudson and Che-Ah-Chi both offer incredible patios for soaking in the red rock vistas. Pictured below is Mocha French Toast and the incredible views via the Enchantment Resort (home to Che-Ah-Chi restaurant).
Overall, Sedona is my number 1 recommended road trip destination from Phoenix. The over-the-top red rock scenery alone makes it worthy of the 2 hour drive. Add in amazing hiking, fabulous restaurants, top notch galleries, and a bustling vibe, and you have yourself one great little weekend roadtrip. The many tourists who skip Sedona in favor of the Grand Canyon sure are missing out. Both should be equally high on your list in my opinion.
For a full guide to the best-of-the-best of Sedona from an Arizona local who enjoyed easy access to the area for 4 years, check out my Sedona travel guide.
Roadtrip 9: Los Angeles
- Distance for Phoenix: 5.5 hours
- Top things to do: Visit the Griffith Observatory, Explore The Getty Museum, Mulholland Drive, Hike Los Liones, Shop & dine at Shoreline Village (Long Beach), Bike “The Strand,’ Relax at the beach, Ride the coaster at the Santa Monica Pier, Hike Runyon Canyon
- Where to stay: Hyatt Regency Long Beach (great central location)
Despite the negative press L.A. receives regarding its’ hideous traffic, pollution, and numerous other factors, there are enough incredible sights to justify temporarily dealing with the negatives. I loved every minute of living in Long Beach despite my less than ideal 300 square foot space: but hey, I was walking distance from the beach! Beaches, bike paths, coastal hiking trails, museums, amazing restaurants, and so much more. While the traffic is by far the worst in the country, it’s still a worthy road trip due to the abundance of amenities. Staying in Long Beach gives you access to the amenities of both L.A. & Orange County. Plus, it’s more affordable and less congested.
Many L.A. metro hiking trails feature fabulous views of the coast
A few must-see sights
- Griffith Observatory (best view of Hollywood sign/great trails)
- Topanga Canyon. I love the Los Liones Trail! It’s relatively moderate in intensity with a fabulous coastal view.
- Manhattan Beach. Classic beach with a historic pier.
- Bike the 22 mile long iconic Strand bike path. This is the one you see in all the movies!
- Shop & dine at The Grove (beautiful outdoor mall home to the Original Farmer’s Market).
- Explore The Getty Museum, one of the country’s best art museums. Also, it’s free!
- Hike Runyon Canyon (iconic L.A. hike overlooking the city). This is where paparazzi try to see celebs!
- Disneyland (not as nice as DisneyWorld but still worthy of a visit as the original Disney park).
Check out my full L.A. vacation guide for more ideas.
Roadtrip 10: Albuquerque
- Distance from Phoenix: 6.5 hours
- Top things to do: Sandia Peak tramway, Petroglyph National Monument, ABQ Biopark, Breakfast/brunch at El Pinto
- Where to stay: Hotel Andaluz
Albuquerque is a wonderful vacation destination for anyone interested in history and outdoor adventures. The city is rich in history with fantastic ethnic restaurants and an abundance of interesting historical attractions.
Outdoor buffs will definitely want to take time out to explore the beautiful Sandia foothills. Really, there are endless hiking options here for fitness buffs of all levels. If you are not up for a long hike, consider a ride up the Sandia Peak tramway as a leisurely alternative. Save your ride for sunset as the mountains transform into a beautiful pinkish red hue.
Sandia in Spanish translates into watermelon, an apt name for the brilliant glow that covers the mountains at sunset.
Petroglyph National Monument is another interesting site to add to your bucket list. This is a really unique park where you will see hundreds of ancient pictographs. Really interesting place, and really isolated so you can explore at your own pace sans heavy crowds.
In terms of dining, you have to try some authentic New Mexican fare. Check out El Pinto for the amazing food and ambiance. Enjoying Blue Corn pancakes on the lovely courtyard is the best way to start any morning! And, you really cannot go wrong with a delicious breakfast burrito!
Oh, and Breaking Bad fans will definitely want to sign up for a trolley movie tour!
Check out my Albuquerque vacation guide for more great hikes and attractions in the region.
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