I love a good road trip. Sometimes, I will take a spur-of-the-moment weekend day trip with my kids, and the trip usually includes a stop at several small towns along one specific route. This road trip will take you to some of the most charming small towns in Arizona. You can either make this one in a day, which is what my kids and I do, or choose to spend the night in one of the towns.

At 123 miles and just over 2 hours of driving time, this small-town road trip can be done in a day. But if you prefer to travel a bit on the slower side, then I have an accommodation suggestion at the end so you can turn it into a weekend road trip.

You can use this Google Maps link to guide you on the route. Feel free to customize it as needed.

1. Fountain Hills

Now, I live in Scottsdale so when I embark on this road trip, I take Shea Blvd. all the way until it terminates at the Beeline Highway in Fountain Hill. Sometimes I will stop in Fountain Hills to explore. I especially love seeing the town's famous fountain which sends water into the air up to an impressive 560 feet. Aside from the fountain, there are restaurants as well as boutique shops and art galleries to browse.

2. Payson

Our next stop is Payson and to get there, we will take AZ-87 N, otherwise known as the Beeline Highway. This is one of my favorite scenic drives. It seems as though the further north you go, the prettier the landscape becomes.

Upon arrival in Payson, I usually grab a bite to eat at the Beeline Cafe. This mom-and-pop-style diner is cash only and the food and service are oh-so-good! Get a slice of the diner's famous pie if you have any room left after your meal. Another stop I try to make when I'm in Payson is Water Wheel Falls where you can go for a short hike and take a dip in any number of small waterfalls or pools along the way. Make sure you have water shoes or hiking boots for this stop as well as a bathing suit and a towel if you plan on swimming.

3. Pine

The next town to the north of Payson is Pine. Here's where you'll find Tonto Natural Bridge, the largest known travertine bridge in the world. There's a waterfall that cascades over the bridge, although depending on the time of year, it could be flowing in full force or just a mere trickle. Another stop I love is the incredibly charming Pine Creek Canyon Lavender Farm where you can shop for a variety of goods made with lavender.

4. Strawberry

Continuing along the Beeline Highway, you can stop in the adorable town of Strawberry. Among the sites you can visit in this ultra-charming town are the historic Strawberry Schoolhouse and Fossil Creek Falls. If you're hungry when you stop here, PIEbar is the most popular restaurant in town.

This may be a great place to spend the night if you don't want to continue any further. I highly recommend making a reservation at the highly-rated Strawberry Inn.

5. Camp Verde

The last stop on this charming small-town road trip is Camp Verde where you'll find endless things to do. Time your visit right and you can visit the Verde Valley Farmers Market to find fresh produce and goods from local farms. In town, you can find several vineyards as well as breweries as well as Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Fort Verde State Historic Park, and Montezuma Castle National Monument.

If you wish to spend the night here, reserve a room at Fort Verde Suites. Camp Verde is an International Dark Sky Community so if you do spend the night, head outside for some stargazing!

Are you ready to explore some of the most charming small towns in Arizona on a road trip? This may be my personal favorite route of all time! Before you hit the road, make sure you check out our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for all you'll need for a lengthy ride in the car.