Arizona: A Landscape Like No Other
Arizona Itinerary
Start / End
Phoenix, Arizona
States Covered
National Parks
Grand Canyon, Saguaro, Petrified Forest
Total Distance
1,800
Suggested Days
At least 16
Suggested Seasons
Year Round
#ThisIsMyRoute
Overview
This route is perfect for those who want to experience the beauty of the open road and some of America’s most untamed areas. In other words, you will get to experience a true American road trip that includes old western towns, intriguing American culture and unimaginable scenery. You will begin by arriving at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. We have no doubt that you are going to want to spend a few days in this city of 1.6 million. But…save it for the end of the trip, when you have a chance to unwind and relax after your epic southwestern road trip. On this trip many of the drives between towns will be relatively short, but when you get to the eastern part of the state, the drives will stretch out a bit, so be prepared for this. Through the course of this trip you be travelling through true Native America. This trip will take you through the reservations of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, Tohono O’Odham Nation, The Fort Apache and San Carlos Apache Reservations, and the Navajo and Hopi Nations. This will be a trip of a lifetime, so get in, buckle up and shift that car into drive. You are about to experience some of the best the United States has to offer
Preparation
We recommend approximately 16 days for this trip in order to experience each town and activity without feeling too rushed. You have a lot of miles to cover, so we suggest spending at minimum a day at each stop. This itinerary is full of suggestions of some of the best places to fully experience the area, with overnight stops in the towns along the way. Plan your trip accordingly so that you experience the places that spark your interest the most. These areas can be crowded in the summertime, and for good reason. There are multiple events and the weather is beautiful. Wintertime is still beautiful in these places, however, many roads are closed and you cannot drive into some of the higher elevations. On the other hand, summertime temps in these places can often exceed 100 degrees, so take that into account as you decide your travel dates. The majority of this trip will be short drives between stops, but this is to allow you the most time at all the amazing places that you have traveled so far to see. Though this itinerary is a day to day guide, it is only a guide and you should feel free to adapt it however you want, taking as much time as you need to fully experience this wonderful part of the world.
Itinerary
LAND IN PHOENIX, TRAVEL TO WICKENBURG
1 HOURS/60 MILES
This is a shorter day for a good reason. We suggest arriving early into Phoenix and renting your car from the airport and setting out west toward your first stop, Wickenburg. It is the perfect town to get prepared and excited to start your road trip.
To read more about Wickenburg, click here.
THE PRESCOTT VALLEY
1 HOUR 19 MINUTES/60 MILES
From Wickenburg it’s a short drive to Prescott, but before you head out of town, we would recommend grabbing breakfast at Cowboy Cookin‘. It’s a fun place and has one of the best breakfasts you can get in the southwest. Once you get to Prescott, the opportunities are endless. Downtown, historic Whiskey Row is known for its bars and live music venues. The Sharlot Hall Museum documents the region’s pioneer-era history. The Museum of Indigenous People exhibits artifacts from indigenous peoples of the Southwest. To the northeast, Watson Lake is home to hundreds of bird species, and a circuit of trails runs among the granite boulders dotting its shore.
To read more about Prescott, click here.