The 7 Most Amazing Road Trips in Arizona

The vastness of Arizona (the sixth-largest state) invites adventurous souls to embark on a week-long road trip through the American Southwest. From the majestic Grand Canyon in the north to the Wild West charm of Tombstone near the Mexico border, Arizona offers countless miles to discover.

To truly appreciate this stunning landscape, it's best to choose specific routes, unwind, and dive deeper into the experience. From Indigenous cliff dwellings to quirky towns along Route 66, here are the 7 top road trips in Arizona.

1. Route 66 Road Trip

Best Journey for Americana Kingman to Seligman; 87 miles

This Route 66 road trip, featuring the longest remaining stretch of the iconic highway, is the perfect way to unwind after a lively time in nearby Vegas. Visit attractions like the Arizona Route 66 Museum in Kingman, known for its street drag-racing, before cruising along the historic “Mother Road” that winds through sagebrush and charming villages to Seligman.

Those quirky red signs you see by the roadside? They pay tribute to the classic Burma-Shave advertising campaigns. From Seligman, Route 66 continues to show signposts leading to Ash Fork. However, true enthusiasts should note that while the Mother Road technically extends to Williams, a lively town that serves as the gateway to the Grand Canyon Railway, much of the original road is now covered by I-40.

Planning Tip: The Kingman Visitor Center, located in the Powerhouse Building in downtown Kingman, offers extensive information on Route 66 attractions. The center also features the Arizona Route 66 Museum and a gift shop.

2. High-Desert Whiskey and Wine Road Trip

Best Road Trip for Wine Enthusiasts Prescott to Sedona; 60 miles

Discover your ideal way to relax in the mile-high city of Prescott, renowned for its Gold Rush-era saloons along Whiskey Row (don’t miss the locally distilled Bloody Basin Bourbon) and the stunning granite formations at Watson Lake. This route winds up Mingus Mountain to Jerome, a cliffside town famous for its ghostly legends, which is also part of the Verde Valley Wine Trail, featuring five delightful wine-tasting rooms.

Continue your journey through the pines to the historic towns of Clarkdale (be sure to stop by Tuzigoot National Monument), Cottonwood, and Cornville, where you'll find a dozen wineries on your way to Sedona.

3. Craters and Cave Dwellings Road Trip

Best Road Trip for Historic Sites Sedona to Wupatki National Monument; 88 miles

Starting from Sedona’s stunning red rock canyons, this route ascends through forests to nearly 7,000 feet in Flagstaff, serving as the gateway to the region's rich geological and cultural heritage. Known for its many historic sites and monuments, this road trip takes you to Walnut Canyon, where you can explore 25 cave dwellings created by the pre-Columbian Sinagua people, then continues to Winona – famous for its picturesque Route 66 bridge.

Continue north to the rim of a cinder cone at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Following an eruption 900 years ago that devastated the land, the Sinagua migrated through the ponderosa pines and Painted Desert to what is now Wupatki National Monument, where you can view their ancient pueblos.

Detour: Be sure to visit the Museum of Northern Arizona, a small yet exceptional museum highlighting local American Indian archaeology, history, culture, as well as geology, biology, and the arts. Check the website for a schedule of events, workshops, and field classes.

4. Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Road Trip

Best Classic Road Trip South Rim to North Rim; 210 miles

It’s easy to be mesmerized by Grand Canyon National Park, with its stunning layers of limestone and the Colorado River flowing a mile below the South Rim. Marvel at the vastness of the canyon, hike the trails, and then embark on a journey from rim to rim to explore the other side of this 1.2-million-acre park. Head east, stopping at Duck on a Rock Viewpoint for great photos, or visit the historic 1916 trading post in Cameron to browse antique Navajo rugs.

This road trip gains altitude, passing through Marble Canyon near the renowned Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, famous for the Wave, a stunning sandstone formation. Keep an eye out for condors soaring overhead as you make your way south through the coniferous trees of Kaibab National Forest to the North Rim, which rises to 8,200 feet.

Planning Tip: Before hitting the road, visit the park’s website for updates on extreme heat warnings at the South Rim during summer and potential closures at the North Rim in late fall.

5. Kayenta to Monument Valley Scenic Road

Best Road Trip for Navajo Culture Kayenta to North Rim; 27 miles

Though this trip is brief, it offers a deep dive into the essence of Navajo culture. Begin your adventure in Kayenta at the open-air Navajo Shadehouse Museum, where you can learn about the code talkers who served in the military during World War II.

Heading north, this route follows the remnants of volcanic activity, with Agathla Peak towering over ancient ancestral Puebloan cave dwellings. To visit these sites up close, make your way to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, crossing into Utah before looping back into Arizona to reach the entrance.

6. Coronado Trail Scenic Byway

Best Road Trip for Thrill-Seekers Springerville to Morenci; 117 miles

The Coronado Trail Scenic Byway may appear to head straight south, but don’t be fooled—this journey includes a staggering 460 turns. Following the path of the Spanish explorer from the 1600s, the road was originally designated as Highway 666 in 1981, earning it the ominous nickname 'The Devil’s Highway.'

Now known as Highway 191, this adventure in Arizona’s White Mountains near New Mexico starts in Springerville, home to the Casa Malpais Archaeological Park. The route gracefully winds through the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. It’s a perfect place to refuel and enjoy lunch at the Hannagan Meadow Lodge. As you near Clifton, keep an eye out for a quirky national landmark—the Arrow Tree, a dead pine riddled with arrows.

Local Tip: As you navigate the final curves toward Morenci, be on the lookout for wildlife such as bears, bobcats, bighorn sheep, and even wolves.

7. Cactus Giants and Gunslingers Road Trip

Best Road Trip for Living Deserts and the Old Wild West Tucson to Bisbee; 95 miles

Located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Tucson serves as a gateway to discover the deep connection between its inhabitants and the surrounding flora. Visit the Tucson Botanical Gardens or the expansive Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for insights into desert life, along with guided hikes and art displays. Then, journey into the heart of Saguaro National Park to experience its iconic century-old cacti, which bloom and produce edible fruit in spring.

After navigating through the towering spiky cacti, this road trip leads you to Tombstone, known as the “Too Tough to Die” town. Once a battleground for legendary gunfights at the OK Corral, this community fully embraces its Wild West heritage. Head further south to Bisbee, a former copper boomtown that has now turned its focus to the arts. The Artemizia Foundation showcases contemporary works from renowned artists like Yayoi Kusama and Jeff Koons.