A Grand Canyon Road Trip Worth Taking

The drive from Phoenix up to Grand Canyon West is filled with red rock views, quirky Route 66 charm and wide-open desert skies.

This road-trip route leads to Grand Canyon West, home of the iconic Skywalk and Hualapai cultural experiences, and the only place in the Grand Canyon where helicopter tours can land on the canyon floor.

Here’s how to make the most of the journey from the Valley of the Sun to the edge of something unforgettable.

A gray and red Maverick helicopter is landed on a dusty, rocky ledge next to a muddy, orange-brown river, while a small group of tourists walks nearby against a backdrop of steep, reddish-brown canyon walls.

Driving From Phoenix

The total drive time from Phoenix to Grand Canyon West is about 4.5 to 5 hours, depending on your route and how often you stop.

The most scenic and flexible route takes you from:

- Phoenix to Sedona (via I-17 N)

- Sedona to Flagstaff

- Flagstaff to Kingman

- Kingman to Peach Springs and Grand Canyon West

You’ll gain elevation, cruise through red-rock vortexes, pass through pine forests and follow the historic Route 66 before turning north toward the West Rim.

And best of all? You don’t need a permit or a week off work to do it. Just a car, a road-trip playlist and a sense of adventure.

Must-See Stops Along the Way

Sedona

Just two hours north of Phoenix, Sedona is a desert dream. Hike Cathedral Rock, explore the shops in Tlaquepaque Village or pause at a vortex site to soak up the good energy.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff sits at 7,000 feet above sea level, and offers a dramatic change of scenery from Phoenix’s desert heat. Stroll through Historic Downtown, grab a bite at a local brewery, or stop by the Lowell Observatory where Pluto was discovered back in 1930.

Kingman

Kingman is a Route 66 gem, full of charm and nostalgic roadside attractions. Check out the Route 66 Museum, grab a malt shake at a retro diner or stretch your legs in Locomotive Park. Kingman is a great stop for photos and a fun reminder that you’re driving through history.

Peach Springs

This small town on Hualapai tribal land is the gateway to Colorado River rafting and cultural sites. It’s also home to the Hualapai Lodge, a great place to grab a meal or spend the night to break up your trip. If you’re planning a river trip with Hualapai River Runners, this is where your adventure begins.

A raft carrying several people navigates turbulent, muddy brown rapids on a river in a deep canyon surrounded by towering, reddish-brown rock walls.

What to Do When You Arrive

After all the road-trip magic, Grand Canyon West brings it home with bucket-list-level experiences. Here’s what you won’t want to miss:

- Walk the Skywalk – Step onto a glass-bottom bridge suspended 4,000 feet above the canyon floor. It’s a bucket-list moment only available at the West Rim.

- Explore Guano Point – Revel in panoramic canyon views where remnants of a tram system still stand as a tribute to the canyon’s mining past.

- Grab Lunch with a View – Refuel at the Skyview Restaurant and enjoy scenic views of the canyon and skywalk.

- Add a Helicopter & Pontoon Tour – Want to turn the adventure up a level? Book a helicopter tour that takes you down to the canyon floor where you’ll enjoy a Colorado River pontoon ride – an experience exclusive to Grand Canyon West.

A group of tourists is walking on the U-shaped, glass-floored Skywalk over the edge of the Grand Canyon, which offers panoramic views of the distant canyon landscape under a bright blue, cloudy sky.

You can complete the drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon West in a day, but if you want to slow down and savor the experience, consider overnighting in Peach Springs or at the Cabins at Grand Canyon West for sunrise canyon views.

Phoenix to Grand Canyon Road-Trip Guide