Want to embark on some of the best road trips in Arizona? There's nothing like hitting the open road and discovering things along the way. And with a state as large as Arizona, there are plenty of open roads that lead to awe-inspiring destinations. Whether you want to discover the state's most magnificent natural wonders, landmarks, small towns, or state and national parks, there's an Arizona road trip itinerary for you.
1-Day Road Trip In Arizona
- Route: Tumamoc Hill > Catalina Highway > Saguaro National Park > Desert Botanical Garden > Different Pointe of View
- Distance: 266 miles
- Trip Time: 5 hours 21 minutes
One of the best quick road trips in Arizona begins at Tumamoc Hill where you'll watch the sunrise before embarking on a scenic drive along the Catalina Highway. You'll then make a stop at Saguaro National Park where you'll be able to see millions of saguaro cacti thriving in the Sonoran Desert in Tucson. After, head north to Phoenix to the Desert Botanical Garden and then dine at Different Pointe of View at Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort while watching the sunset. What a perfect day trip!
3-Day Weekend Road Trip In Arizona
- Route: Grand Falls > Water Wheel Falls > Carlson Creek Vineyard > Callaghan Vineyards > Charron Vineyards > Tanque Verde Falls > Arizona Falls > Stetson Winery
- Distance: 839 miles
- Trip Time: 15 hours
Looking for a multi-day road trip to do over a long weekend? Well, here's a three-day Arizona road trip itinerary. Along this route, you'll discover waterfalls and wineries around the state. We have also tossed in some suggested overnight accommodations as well. The road trip ends at Stetson Winery in Kingman with several stops in between over the course of three days. Keep in mind that our route begins at Grand Falls, which, as of spring 2023, is closed due to disrespect of the land by visitors.
Arizona Route 66 Road Trip
- Route: Lake Havasu City > Oatman > Seligman > Williams > Flagstaff > Winslow
- Distance: 289 miles
- Trip Time: 5 hours 24 minutes
Have you ever gotten your kicks on Route 66? Well, take this Arizona Historic Route 66 road trip and you can. Traveling this route is a step back in time complete with quirky roadside attractions, eateries, gas stations, and small towns. Take your time along the way and travel slow the way travel used to be. There's plenty to see and do in each town along the way. From the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City to the Grand Canyon National Park in Williams, and more, there are plenty of adventures to be had. And when you get to Winslow, don't forget to get a photo of you standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona!
Arizona Hidden Gems Road Trip
- Route: Martinez Lake > Dateland Travel Center & Date Gardens > Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument > Gila Bend > Estrella Mountain Regional Park > Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
- Distance: 430 miles
- Trip Time: 11 hours 43 minutes
Hidden gems abound in the Grand Canyon State. It's no wonder with a state this huge there are plenty of areas we all have yet to discover. On this ultimate Arizona hidden gems road trip, you'll probably discover at least one place that's new to you. Whether it's the decadent dates at Dateland, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument located close to the Arizona-Mexico border, or the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, make sure to allow plenty of time to explore each destination. This is one of the best weekend road trips in Arizona you can take!
Best Arizona Road Trip For Spring
- Route: Estrella Mountain Regional Park > White Tank Mountain Regional Park > Cave Creek Regional Park > McDowell Sonoran Conservancy > South Mountain Park Preserve > Usery Mountain Regional Park > Picacho Peak > Peridot Mesa
- Distance: 353 miles
- Trip Time: 7 hours 23 minutes
When spring arrives, the Arizona desert landscape is in full bloom. And poppies are among the wildflowers that love the weather we have here. Want to see several poppy fields in one go? Take this eye-popping poppy fields of Arizona road trip and you'll certainly get your fill of these bright-colored beauties against the southwest landscape. To see the poppies, you'll have to trek along hiking trails so keep that in mind and come prepared to hike!
Best Summer Road Trip In Arizona
- Route: Salt River Canyon Wilderness Area > Butcher Jones Cove > The Scott Resort & Spa > Goldwater Lake > River Island State Park > Gateway Park
- Distance: 535 miles
- Trip Time: 10 hours 14 minutes
The Grand Canyon State might not be the first place you think of when you hear the word "beach," but there are quite a few around! And you'll discover several of them on the Arizona hidden beaches road trip. Perfect for summer, you can escape the heat by taking a dip in some refreshing water. These places are like finding an oasis in the desert, and that's exactly what they are!
Best Arizona Road Trip For Fall
- Route: San Francisco Peaks > Lockett Meadow > Aspen Nature Lollipop Trail > Arizona Snowbowl > Bill Williams Mountain Trail > West Fork of Oak Creek Trail #108 > Verde Canyon Railroad > Forest Houses Resort
- Distance: 202 miles
- Trip Time: 5 hours
While you'll have to head to northern Arizona to view the colorful hues the leaves turn during the fall, it's well worth the drive. On this Arizona fall foliage road trip, you'll be in awe of how gorgeous the trees look and realize that New England isn't the only region of the USA that gets some breathtaking fall colors. From the San Francisco Peaks to the famous Aspen Nature Lollipop Trail in Flagstaff to Oak Creek Canyon in the Sedona area, your jaw will drop once you see all the colors in the fall.
Best Winter Road Trip In Arizona
- Route: Courthouse Square > WildLights at Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary > Valley of Lights at Fain Park > Main Street Lights in Jerome, Clarkdale, & Cottonwood > Tlaquepaque Arts & Craft Village > Little America Hotel > Bearizona Wildlife Park > Route 66 Lights
- Distance: 140b miles
- Trip Time: 3 hours 36 minutes
During the winter season, holiday cheer is found all over the Grand Canyon State. If you love looking at colorful twinkling lights, you must take this Christmas lights road trip in Arizona. From Prescott to Jerome, from Sedona to Flagstaff to Williams, this family-friendly adventure will put everyone in the spirit of the season!
Family-Friendly Arizona Road Trip
- Route: Navajo Moenave Dinosaur Tracks > Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs > Pangaea Dinosaur Grill
- Distance: 218 miles
- Trip Time: 3 hours 18 minutes
Just about everyone is fascinated by dinosaurs and there are a few dinosaur attractions here in the Grand Canyon State. This dinosaur-themed, family-friendly road trip in Arizona starts at a set of dinosaur tracks in Northern Arizona and ends at Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs in Scottsdale which will spark the imagination of any child. Either before or after visiting the dinosaur museum, head to Pangaea Dinosaur Grill for a bite to eat. The kids will love this one!
Road Trip to Arizona Landmarks & Natural Wonders
- Route: Red Rock State Park > Lava River Cave > Grand Canyon > Antelope Canyon > Monument Valley > Canyon de Chelly > Petrified Forest National Park > Meteor Crater > Tonto Natural Bridge
- Distance: 883 miles
- Trip Time: 14 hours 49 minutes
Want to see the best that Arizona has to offer? Try out this road trip through northern Arizona that will introduce you to some of the most stunning landscapes you will ever set your eyes on! On this epic natural wonders of Arizona road trip, you'll see the Red Rocks of Sedona with its otherworldly rock formations. Another stop is Canyon de Chelly National Monument where you can either trek along one of its hiking trails starting at the Visitor Center or take a scenic drive. Monument Valley, located along the Arizona-Utah border, is a beautiful place with plenty of rock formations. And, of course, you can't miss the Grand Canyon, one of the top bucket list destinations of the world. Whether you start at the North Rim or the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, everyone will love the jaw-dropping views and hikers will love the hiking trails and may want to tackle the 13-mile Rim Trail. It seems like everywhere you go in Arizona, there's a natural wonder to be discovered! You'll want to allow plenty of time for this road trip which can be done over the course of a few days or weeks. In my opinion, this is one of the best road trips to take in Arizona.
Road Trip to Best Small Towns in Arizona
- Route: Alpine > Greer > Pinetop-Lakeside > Snowflake > Heber-Overgaard > Pine > Strawberry > Cottonwood > Clarkdale > Jerome
- Distance: 309 miles
- Trip Time: 6 hours 17 minutes
Does witnessing a bit of Arizona's small-town charm sound like the perfect way to spend a day or weekend? This road trip will take you through some of Arizona's best small towns, such as Pinetop, Greer, Strawberry, and Jerome. It's perfect for exploring a bit of Arizona history! You'll love stopping at each location along this Arizona small towns road trip.
Ready for an adventure of a lifetime? Tell us, which of these best road trips in Arizona do you like best?
Want to show off your pride for the Grand Canyon State? Check out the selection of apparel and accessories from our friends at Wear Your Roots!
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