Sedona is roughly 115–120 miles (about 185–190 km) north of Phoenix, and the drive usually takes around 2 hours in normal traffic via I‑17.

Quick Scoop

  • Driving distance: Most guides put the Phoenix–Sedona drive at about 116–120 miles, depending on your exact starting and ending points in each city.
  • Drive time: Plan on about 2 hours one way in typical conditions; it can stretch closer to 2.5 hours on busy weekends or holidays.
  • Main route: The most common way is up I‑17 north from Phoenix, then onto AZ‑179 into Sedona’s red rock area.

Mini Travel Tips

  • Leaving Phoenix earlier in the day often means lighter traffic and cooler temps, especially in summer.
  • The elevation jumps from roughly 1,100 feet in Phoenix to about 4,500 feet in Sedona, so it usually feels 10–15 degrees cooler once you arrive.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.