Road Trip

Question

Thanks for your input. Best advice-map and calendar. We're giving ourselves very little time (Mid April).Current plan-Land Phoenix-head to Globe, stay overnight.Show Low next night, PFNP and maybe Hubbel Trading Post, then night in Holbrook or Winslow. Head for Flag, 3 nites+/- ,Grand C. heli- tour,and maybe? Monument Valley Day tour? -then one nite at Maswick in Canyon?-down to Sedona another 3+/- nites-Verde Canyon RR, local day trips. Unable to book at View, so we shifted West instead of North into Navajo Land-not sure what we're missing. Thanks again.

Answer

Your road trip plan in mid-April covers some of the best highlights of northern and central Arizona, and it seems quite ambitious but doable if you stick to a clear itinerary. Here’s a detailed breakdown with suggestions and considerations for each leg.

Phoenix to Globe:

Driving from Phoenix to Globe is about 90–100 miles, roughly 2 hours. Globe is a small historic town with a charming downtown and a few interesting stops, including old mining sites.

Optionally visit the Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park near Globe.
Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay—book early as some local inns are small.

Globe to Show Low:

This is a longer drive, about 3–3.5 hours. Show Low is in the White Mountains, which is great for a scenic break from the desert landscape.

Consider exploring nearby lakes or short hikes if time permits.
PFNP (Petrified Forest National Park) and Hubbell Trading Post are excellent stops; PFNP is roughly 2–2.5 hours from Show Low.

Holbrook or Winslow:

Overnight in Holbrook or Winslow puts you close to the Petrified Forest if you haven’t already visited, or to continue towards Flagstaff the next day.

Holbrook: More motel options, close to the Petrified Forest entrance.
Winslow: Smaller town but famous Route 66 spots and “Standin’ on the Corner” park.

Flagstaff:

Spending 3 nights in Flagstaff allows you to:

Book a Grand Canyon helicopter tour.
Drive day trips to Sedona, Walnut Canyon, or Lowell Observatory.
Explore local hikes and historic downtown Flagstaff.
If doing Monument Valley, plan a long day trip (~4–5 hours each way) or consider a guided tour from Flagstaff or Page for convenience.

Grand Canyon Stay:

Staying inside the park (Maswick Lodge) allows for early access and sunset/sunrise viewing. One night is doable, but two nights would give more flexibility if possible.

Sedona:

Three nights in Sedona is ideal for local hikes, jeep tours, Verde Canyon Railroad, and relaxing after the busy Grand Canyon segment.

Morning hikes are best for avoiding crowds.
Consider Oak Creek Canyon scenic drive and Slide Rock State Park.
Dining: Most restaurants don’t require reservations except for weekends and popular spots.
Self-guided or guided jeep/e-bike tours can be scheduled for flexibility.

Notes on your itinerary changes:

Shifting west instead of north into Navajo land: You’ll miss some iconic Navajo sites (like Monument Valley if not doing the day tour) and the View Hotel experience, but you’ll gain a more Sedona-focused route and less driving.
Prioritize key sights—Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, Sedona scenery—and let smaller stops be optional.
Mid-April: Weather should be pleasant, but mornings in Flagstaff/GC can be chilly; pack layers.

Overall, your map and calendar approach seems solid. The main challenge will be balancing driving times with sightseeing, so allow buffer time for unexpected stops and traffic.

Road Trip

More Arizona (AZ) Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions