Flagstaff to Santa Fe - intinerary

Question

My BF and I, along with 15 & 17 year olds, will be spending 2 nts in Grand Canyon on April 26 & 27 - then after a little morning time in GC on 28th we'll be exiting south rim & on our way to Santa Fe. We plant to have the 28th to drive & sight see along the way, spend the night of 28th somewhere en route to Sante Fe and continue on our way on 29th with sightseeing & driving - hopeing to arrive in Sante Fe mid day-ish. I am trying to determine the must sees - for instance - we could go to sedona for overnight on 28th -but it's not exactly en route!....I would love the kids & BF not to miss iconic tourist spots (famous Rte 66 spot, maybe petrified forest - tho not super exciting)...but we are mostly adventurous (hikes) & interested in natural beauty, significant features of land or history and taking in local culture. I am hoping to get input on weather a detour to sedona is warranted - in leui of the long drive ahead to santa fe we have. But also looking for input on what we should stop & do/see along the way, what detours are worth our time, what hikes/scenic spots to seek out and where we shoud plant ourselves the night of 28th. Thank you!

Answer

Your trip from the Grand Canyon to Santa Fe can be a memorable mix of scenic drives, natural wonders, and cultural stops. Since you have April 28 for travel and sightseeing and want to arrive in Santa Fe by midday on April 29, here’s a suggested approach with must-see stops and practical overnight options.

Considerations About Sedona:

Sedona is beautiful and offers iconic red rock scenery and great hikes, but it’s south of I-40 and slightly out of the direct route from the Grand Canyon to Santa Fe. Including it would add a 1–2 hour detour each way.
Given your timeline and desire to make steady progress toward Santa Fe, Sedona is optional. If your group loves hiking and red rock landscapes, you could do a short morning or afternoon hike in Sedona on April 28, then continue east, but it will make the day long.

Suggested Route and Stops April 28:

Leave Grand Canyon South Rim after a morning viewpoint or short hike, such as the Rim Trail or a portion of Bright Angel Trail.
Option 1 (more direct): Drive via Cameron and Holbrook along I-40. This keeps you on track for Santa Fe and allows several interesting stops:
- Petrified Forest National Park / Painted Desert: About 2 hours from Grand Canyon, offers a scenic drive and easy hikes among colorful badlands and petrified logs. Even if not thrilling, it’s iconic and visually striking.
- Holbrook & Route 66: Stop for classic Route 66 kitsch, like the Wigwam Motel, for a quick photo and local flavor.
Option 2 (detour through Sedona): Head south from Grand Canyon toward Flagstaff and then Sedona (about 2 hours extra). You can do a short hike such as Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock, enjoy lunch, then continue northeast toward Albuquerque/Santa Fe. This is a longer driving day and may require an overnight midway if you want to avoid fatigue.

Overnight Options for April 28:

Holbrook, AZ: Convenient if you take the direct I-40 route. Good lodging options and near Petrified Forest.
Albuquerque, NM: If you want to push further east and get a head start on April 29. This is about 6–7 hours total from GC with Petrified Forest stop included, so still doable.
Flagstaff, AZ: Only makes sense if you choose the Sedona detour and want a more relaxed pace before heading northeast.

April 29 – En Route to Santa Fe:

Drive toward Santa Fe (3–4 hours from Albuquerque or 5–6 hours from Holbrook).
Optional stops:
- Albuquerque Old Town: Pueblo-style architecture, local shops, quick cultural stop.
- Historic Route 66 towns: If time allows, quick roadside photo stops at iconic spots.
- Petroglyph National Monument: Near Albuquerque, short hikes among ancient carvings.

Summary:

For minimal driving, stick to I-40 through Holbrook, hitting Petrified Forest and Route 66 highlights, overnight in Holbrook or Albuquerque.
If you’re willing to add time for scenery and red rock hikes, Sedona can be included, but it will make for a longer, busier day.
Prioritize short, iconic hikes and viewpoint stops; April weather should be pleasant but check conditions.
Arrive in Santa Fe midday on April 29, giving time to explore the plaza or local culture in the afternoon.

Overall, for a mix of adventure, natural beauty, and history, the I-40/Petrified Forest route is most efficient, and Sedona is a “nice-to-have” if your group really wants red rock hiking despite the detour.

Flagstaff to Santa Fe - intinerary

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