Live Your Best Lives
  1. Travel FAQs
  2. United States
  3. Arizona (AZ)
  4. Sedona

driving times in holiday

I have two driving questions:

1. On Black Friday we'll leave JW Marriot Desert Ridge headed to Flagstaff. What time the latest should we leave to ensure we get there before dark? Google maps shows 2 hours but I'm guessing we need to factor in holiday traffic to be on the safe side (I'm worried about driving there in the dark).

2. On the following Sunday morning we'll head from Sedona to Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden around 9am. Again google maps shows 2 hours, how much is it realistic given end of holiday traffic?

Thanks!

For your Sedona and Flagstaff driving plans during the holiday period, it’s important to consider both distance and holiday traffic, which can add significant time to your trips.

1. JW Marriott Desert Ridge to Flagstaff on Black Friday:

The drive under normal conditions takes roughly 2 hours. However, Black Friday traffic can be heavier than usual, especially leaving the Phoenix area. To ensure you arrive in Flagstaff before dark, you should plan extra time. In late November, sunset in Northern Arizona occurs around 5:00 PM.

  • Leave no later than 2:30–3:00 PM to allow for traffic delays and possible stops. This provides a buffer in case of congestion along I-17.
  • Consider checking real-time traffic apps like Google Maps or Waze shortly before departure to see if delays are significant and adjust accordingly.
  • Daylight is limited in late November, so aim to start your drive with plenty of light for safer driving.

2. Sedona to Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, on Sunday morning:

The usual drive time is around 2 hours, but end-of-holiday traffic returning to the Valley of the Sun can add time, especially near Sedona and as you approach Phoenix.

  • Allow 2.5 to 3 hours for this trip to account for heavier Sunday traffic, construction, or slowdowns near highway junctions.
  • Leaving at 9:00 AM could mean arriving around 11:30 AM–12:00 PM realistically.
  • Consider leaving slightly earlier, around 8:30 AM, if you want to avoid the bulk of returning holiday traffic and have more time at the Desert Botanical Garden.

Overall, factoring in extra 30–60 minutes for both trips during the holiday period is prudent. Planning your departures with daylight in mind and checking traffic conditions before leaving will make your drives safer and more predictable.

More Sedona Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Garden

Popular Destinations

Zhenyue Palace
Mall Museum
Lianhuashan Shengshui Zen Temple
Karamay World Ghost City

Popular Travel Questions