Arriving today

Question

We are in Sedona, planning on driving to GC today. Do you think highways will open up later or or is there a better route besides going through Flagstaff?

Thank you

Answer

Driving from Sedona to the Grand Canyon today usually involves taking US-89 or I-17 north to Flagstaff and then west on I-40 or north on AZ-64 to the South Rim. If there are current highway closures near Flagstaff due to snow or weather, the situation can change throughout the day as roads are plowed and cleared.

Here’s some guidance for your drive:

Monitor road conditions: Check the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) website or their real-time road conditions map for updates. Closures can be temporary and sometimes open mid-day after snow removal.
Main route via Flagstaff: The standard route is Sedona → I-17 north to Flagstaff → US-180 north to Grand Canyon Village. This is the fastest and most common route if roads are open.
Alternative routes: If Flagstaff area is closed, options are limited. You could consider:
- US-89A through Oak Creek Canyon to Page and then down via US-180, but this is a much longer and less direct route.
- Waiting until later in the day for the main highway to reopen if closures are temporary. Snow clearing usually happens in the morning.
Safety tips: If traveling in snowy or icy conditions, make sure your vehicle has proper tires or chains, drive slowly, and allow extra travel time. Avoid unplowed backroads.

In summary, the best option is usually to monitor road updates and plan to take the standard route through Flagstaff once highways reopen. Alternative routes exist but are significantly longer and less straightforward. Safety should be the priority—driving slowly and being prepared for winter conditions will make the trip smoother.

Arriving today

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