Scottsdale Sprinters is a Scottsdale chauffeured transportation company serving metro Phoenix. Sedona is a straight run north of Phoenix up I-17, and you can see its best red rock views, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, and Tlaquepaque in a single day if you leave early. A private 10-hour day in our 14-seat Executive Sprinter bills 9 hours at $145 per hour, or $1,305, which is about $93 per person for a full van. Couples and small groups take the 6-seat Luxury SUV at $125 per hour.

Sedona Day Trip from Phoenix: Your Complete Planning Guide

Sedona is a straight run north of Phoenix up I-17, and you can see its best red rock views, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, and Tlaquepaque in a single day if you leave early. A private 10-hour day in our 14-seat Executive Sprinter bills 9 hours at $145 per hour, or $1,305, which is about $93 per person for a full van. Couples and small groups take the 6-seat Luxury SUV at $125 per hour.

Towering sandstone formations glow crimson and orange, vortex sites draw seekers from around the globe, and Tlaquepaque Village offers galleries and dining worth the drive. Here is how to plan the day right.

Getting to Sedona: Route Options

The Fast Route: I-17 North

Distance: about 116 miles from Phoenix

Take I-17 North to Exit 298 (AZ-179). This is the quickest path and what most GPS apps suggest. The last 15 miles on 179 offer your first taste of red rock scenery.

Pros: fastest, well-maintained highway
Cons: misses the scenic highlights; traffic backs up on 179 near town

The Scenic Route: Via Oak Creek Canyon

Distance: about 125 miles

Take I-17 North toward Flagstaff, then south on AZ-89A through Oak Creek Canyon. The road descends through canyon switchbacks with creek views the whole way.

Pros: stunning scenery, less traffic
Cons: longer, and the switchbacks can bring on motion sickness

The Wine Route: Via Verde Valley

Distance: about 130 miles via Camp Verde

Take I-17 North to Exit 287 and wind through the Verde Valley wine region. Stop at a winery or two, or detour to Montezuma Castle, before reaching Sedona.

Pros: wine tasting, fewer crowds
Cons: longest route, needs an early start

The Perfect Sedona Day Trip Itinerary

Early Start Option (Recommended)

5:30 AM - Depart Phoenix
Beat the heat and the crowds. Coffee stops along I-17 at Anthem (Exit 223) or Cordes Junction (Exit 262).

7:30 AM - Arrive Sedona, Airport Mesa Vortex
An easy 15-minute walk to the overlook. Fewer people and perfect light for photos.

8:30 AM - Breakfast at The Hudson
Farm-to-table breakfast with red rock views. Reserve for weekends.

10:00 AM - Chapel of the Holy Cross
Built into the red rocks, this architectural marvel offers serenity and incredible views. Allow 30-45 minutes.

11:00 AM - Cathedral Rock (View or Hike)
Hikers: the 1.5-mile round trip is moderately strenuous but rewards you with 360-degree views. Viewers: the trailhead itself has stunning vistas.

12:30 PM - Lunch
Elote Cafe if you can time it, or Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill for lunch with a view.

2:00 PM - Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
Cobblestone streets, dozens of galleries and shops, live music, and Spanish colonial architecture. This is not a tourist trap; it is genuinely beautiful.

4:00 PM - Oak Creek Canyon Overlook
Quick photo stop at the canyon's dramatic edge. No hiking required.

4:30 PM - Slide Rock State Park (Summer)
A natural waterslide on smooth red rock. Refreshing in summer, crowded on weekends. Skip it in winter or if you are short on time.

5:30 PM - Begin the Return

7:30 PM - Arrive Phoenix

That is a 14-hour day. With a private vehicle you pay for 12 hours, because 12 or more hours earns 2 free hours.

Mid-Day Start Option (Avoiding Rush Hour)

9:00 AM - Depart Phoenix
Miss the morning commute and arrive as the early birds are leaving.

11:00 AM - Red Rock State Park
Less crowded than the headline spots, with interpretive trails and ranger programs.

12:30 PM - Lunch in Uptown Sedona
Cowboy Club for Southwestern fare or Hideaway House for pizza with a view.

2:00 PM - Jeep Tour or Red Rock Scenic Byway
Book an off-road tour into terrain you cannot reach otherwise, or drive the byway yourself.

4:00 PM - Tlaquepaque Village
Shopping and gallery hopping.

5:30 PM - Sunset at Airport Mesa
Golden hour on red rock is unforgettable. Arrive 45 minutes before sunset for the best spots.

7:00 PM - Dinner at Cress on Oak Creek
Creekside fine dining at L'Auberge de Sedona. Splurge-worthy.

9:00 PM - Return
A quiet night drive back. Less traffic, cooler temperatures, and everyone sleeps if someone else is driving.

Why Private Transportation Transforms Sedona Day Trips

The Driving Reality

The scenic routes are genuinely beautiful and genuinely demanding. Winding mountain roads, unfamiliar territory, and a full day on your feet make the drive home the hardest part.

What You Gain with a Chauffeur

Full enjoyment of the scenery: you are looking at Cathedral Rock, not the road
Wine country flexibility: taste without a designated driver
Rest on the return: sleep or relax while a professional navigates
Local knowledge: the best photo pull-offs and which restaurants take walk-ins
Door-to-door comfort: no parking hunt in crowded Uptown

Ideal for Groups

Once you split the fare, a private vehicle costs less per person than most people expect, and it removes the one thing that ruins Sedona days: someone who has to drive home tired.

Sedona Day Trip Cost Breakdown

Vehicle	Seats	Rate	10-hour day (9 billed)	14-hour day (12 billed)
Luxury SUV (Suburban)	6	$125/hr	$1,125	$1,500
Executive Sprinter	14	$145/hr	$1,305	$1,740
Limo Party Sprinter (16 Pax)	16	$175/hr	$1,575	$2,100

Rates are hourly. 7+ hours earns 1 free hour, 12+ hours earns 2, 15+ hours earns 3. 8% tax applies. Checkout shows exactly what is charged today and when any balance is due. Tip is optional — 10/15/20% presets at checkout, and we never add one for you.

Per person: the 10-hour Executive Sprinter day is $1,305 before 8% tax; that is about $93 per person for 14 or about $131 per person for 10. The 10-hour Luxury SUV day is $1,125, about $188 per person for 6 or about $281 for a party of 4. The 14-hour early-start day in the Sprinter is $1,740, about $124 per person for 14.

Driving yourself means fuel, Uptown parking, and a full day behind the wheel. The private option is not free, but for a group it is close to the same money with none of the fatigue.

Best Time to Visit Sedona

By Season

Spring (March-May): perfect weather, wildflowers, moderate crowds
Summer (June-August): hot but noticeably cooler than Phoenix, afternoon monsoons, crowded
Fall (September-November): peak season, ideal temperatures, fall color in Oak Creek Canyon
Winter (December-February): possible snow on the red rocks, fewest crowds, some closures

By Day

Weekdays: far less traffic, easier parking
Saturday: most crowded
Sunday: moderate; start early

By Time

Sunrise-10 AM: best light, fewest crowds
10 AM-3 PM: peak visitation
3 PM-sunset: crowds thin, golden light

What to Pack for Your Sedona Day Trip

Essentials

Layers (mornings can be 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix)
Comfortable walking shoes
Sunscreen and sunglasses
Water bottle
Camera with a charged battery

For Hikers

Hiking shoes, not sandals
Trail snacks
Extra water, at least a liter each
Small daypack

Nice to Have

Binoculars
Hat
Light jacket, even in summer

Sedona Day Trip FAQs

Can you really see Sedona in one day?
Yes. You will not see everything, but you will see the highlights and leave satisfied. A day trip is perfect for first-timers.

What is the best time to leave Phoenix?
Early morning, 5:30 to 6:30 AM, beats traffic, heat, and crowds.

Do I need a rental car, or can I use rideshare?
Rideshare in Sedona is thin and unreliable, and there is no public transit between Phoenix and Sedona. Drive yourself or book private transportation.

How many hours should we book?
Ten hours covers a relaxed day with three or four stops. Fourteen covers the full early-start itinerary, and the free-hour rule means you only pay for twelve.

Can we add wine country or the Grand Canyon?
Yes. See our Verde Valley wine country tour or the Sedona and Grand Canyon combo.

Are the vortexes real?
That depends on who you ask. Even skeptics enjoy the hikes, because the vortex sites happen to be some of Sedona's most beautiful spots.

Ready to Experience Sedona?

Skip the driving stress and maximize your time in red rock country. Book the Sedona red rocks day trip or private Phoenix-Scottsdale to Sedona transportation.

Ready to book the date? Call our reservations team at (623) 986-6339, text (623) 986-6339, email reservations@scottsdalesprinters.com, or get a quote. Checkout shows exactly what is charged today and when any balance is due. Cancellation terms depend on your date and booking; read the cancellation policy before you book.

Our chauffeurs know where to stop for photos, which restaurants take walk-ins, and how to get you home safely while you rest after an incredible day.

Sedona Day Trip from Phoenix: Complete Itinerary & Transportation Guide