Should I re-arrange plans to avoid weekend traffic?

Question

I currently have lodging booked for 3 nights in Sedona and 1 night in the Grand Canyon before heading off to Vegas. The plan is as follows:

-Arrive in PHX at 1PM Saturday 04/19. Wanted to see the Desert Botanical Gardens then head to Sedona

-Staying at Hyatt Pinon Pointe until checkout Tuesday 4/22

-Staying at GC South Rim night of 4/23

-Leaving for Vegas after morning hike 04/24

After reading more about Sedona, I am beginning to become a bit concerned about how much of our allotted time is on the weekends. Is the traffic nightmarish enough that I should consider hitting the Grand Canyon first and checking into Sedona on Sunday evening?

Doing it this way would make the Desert Botanical Garden idea unrealistic as I feel I'd have to go directly to the GC to ensure being situated in time for a sunset. However if this is going to make the trip significantly less stressful as it relates to traffic and crowding, I do have the ability to shuffle all of the lodging around due to flexible booking types.

Thank you!

Answer

Traffic and crowds in Sedona can indeed be heavy on weekends, particularly on scenic drives like the Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179) and in popular trailheads and viewpoints. Mid-April is spring break/early tourist season, so Saturday and Sunday afternoons tend to be the busiest. If your priority is to have a more relaxed experience in Sedona without feeling stuck in traffic or crowded parking lots, adjusting your schedule could be worthwhile.

Here are some considerations for your current plan versus rearranging:

Current plan (Sedona first, Saturday arrival):
- Pros: You can visit the Desert Botanical Garden on Saturday, as planned.
- Cons: You’ll hit Sedona on the weekend, which means more traffic on SR 179, longer waits for popular trails, and crowded restaurants. Check-in and access to viewpoints might be slower.
- Cons: Your arrival Saturday afternoon may be tight if you also want to explore Sedona that same day.
Alternative plan (Grand Canyon first, then Sedona Sunday):
- Pros: Arriving in Sedona on Sunday evening avoids the bulk of weekend crowds, making Monday and Tuesday far more relaxed for sightseeing and short hikes.
- Pros: Traffic from Phoenix to Sedona would likely be lighter if traveling Sunday morning instead of Saturday afternoon.
- Cons: Skipping Desert Botanical Garden unless you can fit it on Saturday before heading north.
- Cons: Slightly tighter timing to catch sunset at the Grand Canyon if traveling directly from Phoenix after arrival.

Additional tips:

Even with the original schedule, leaving Phoenix early Saturday and heading straight to Sedona may help beat some of the traffic and still give you time to explore in the late afternoon/evening.
If you’re flexible, shifting Sedona to Sunday–Tuesday keeps weekdays for sightseeing when crowds are lighter and parking easier, which can enhance the overall experience.
Consider using early morning for scenic drives or short hikes in Sedona, as parking is easier and temperatures are cooler.

In summary, if minimizing traffic stress and crowded conditions in Sedona is important, adjusting your lodging so you’re in Sedona on Sunday night through Tuesday would be a smart move. You may have to skip or shorten the Desert Botanical Garden visit, but the overall experience in Sedona and your enjoyment of trails and viewpoints would likely be significantly improved.