This plan is designed for a 10-day road trip in Arizona. To see everything on this list (Saguaro National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Sedona, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend), you should ideally allow yourself at least ten days. I also made plans for 7-DAY, 8-DAY and 9-DAY if you’re pressed for time and has to condense this itinerary.
Using This Map: To access the layers (driving routes and places to go), click the tab located in the upper left corner of the map. To reveal or conceal layers, click the checkboxes. You may learn more about each point of interest on the map by clicking on the icons. This map will be added to your Google Maps account if you click the star next to the map’s title. Open Google Maps on your computer or phone, select “Your Places” from the menu, then click Maps. This map will appear on your list.
DAY 1: Arrival in Phoenix and Saguaro National Park (Tucson Mountain District)
Driving Milage and Approximate Time: 110 miles @ 2 hours
Arrive in Phoenix, Arizona.
If you arrive early in the morning you could spend sometime exploring Phoenix such as go venture Hole-in-the-Rock, and then drive to Saguaro National Park (Tucson Mountain District). If you arrive Phoenix in the midday, get your rental car and drive straight towards Saguaro National Park (Tucson Mountain District). If you arrive later, then just drive to your hotel in Tucson and maybe venture Tucson at night.
Overnight in Tucson.
DAY 2: Saguaro National Park & Tucson
Driving Mileage and Approximate Time: 240 miles @ 4.5 hours
In the morning, if you already ventured Tucson Mountains side of the National Park the day before, go explore Rincon Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. If not, go explore the Tucson Mountains side first followed by the Rincon side. Remember that doing this will add up to your driving mileage today and you will arrive later to your next destination. Alternatively, you could skip Rincon side and drive straight towards your next destination.
In the afternoon, drive towards Petrified Forest National Park; Holbrook, AZ.
Overnight in Holbrook, AZ
DAY 3: Petrified Forest National Park & Monument Valley
Approximate driving time in Petrified Forest: 1.5 hr. @ 80 miles
Approximate driving time to Monument Valley: 3.5 hrs @ 200 miles
Approximate Total Driving Time: 5 hrs.
In the morning, explore Petrified Forest National Park. It’s a small park so all you need is half to a day to explore the park; North (colorful hills of the Painted Desert) and South (filled with petrified woods).
In the afternoon, make your way to Monument Valley.
Stay in Monument Valley
DAY 4: Monument Valley
Explore Monument Valley
Stay near Monument Valley
DAY 5: Antelope Canyon & Horsehoe Bend
Drive to Antelope Canyon
Take a tour to see Antelope Canyon (Book ahead of time. If possible, time yourself to see both Upper & Lower parts of the Canyon)
Visit Horseshoe Bend in the evening
Overnight near Antelope Canyon; Page Arizona.
DAY 6: Grand Canyon National Park
Drive to Grand Canyon National Park
Explore Grand Canyon National Park
Stay in or near Grand Canyon National Park
DAY 7: Grand Canyon National Park
Explore Grand Canyon
Stay in or near Grand Canyon National Park
DAY 8: Grand Canyon & Sedona
Drive to Sedona
Explore Sedona
Stay in Sedona
DAY 9: Sedona and/or Phoenix
Stay in Sedona or make your way back to Phoenix (and stay in Phoenix), if you want to venture Phoenix or if you have an early flight the next day.
DAY 10: Phoenix & Go Home
Drive to Phoenix. Explore Phoenix if your flight is later in the day.