Trip Itinerary from Phoenix to Albuquerque via Sedona, Nature Sites, and National Monuments

♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA

A route between culturally diverse cities: Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and Phoenix and Sedona, which is surrounded by dramatic towering red rocks in various formations, making it a paradise for nature lovers, Wild West enthusiasts, and art fans. The middle part of the route features national monuments with antiquities, a volcanic park, as well as a national park with a large petrified forest and a giant crater formed by a meteor impact.

Route Map from Arizona to New Mexico (8)

Map of itinerary from Phoenix to Albuquerque via Sedona, Nature Sites, and National Monuments

♦ Link to Google Map with the route

Destinations along the route

Destination		Days of stay
Phoenix		2
Sedona		2-3
Petrified Forest		1
Albuquerque / Santa Fe		3

Total: 8-9 days.

Route length: 1390 km. Total driving duration without stops: about 16 hours.

Recommended destinations, accommodations, and articles for each stop on the route:

Each destination includes a link to my detailed article about it, featuring photos, attractions, and important tourist information.

Phoenix

The city of Phoenix, the capital of Arizona and its largest city, is located in central Arizona at the edge of the Sonoran Desert.

Desert landscape enthusiasts will especially enjoy the charming sight of giant cacti scattered across the hills, reminiscent of Wild West movies. The city's economy is based on the high-tech industry, government jobs, and tourism, which includes golf, off-road tours, hot air balloons, water sports in nearby lakes, casinos, and of course museums, theaters, restaurants, shopping, and sports events, as expected of any major tourist city.

♥ Recommended hotels in Phoenix

Article: ◄ Trips in Phoenix and its surroundings

Booking guided tours in Phoenix from GetYourGuide.com

Phoenix

Sedona

Sedona is a picturesque artist town nestled in the charming Oak Creek Canyon in the Verde Valley of Arizona, about 190 km north of Phoenix. The town is surrounded by dramatic towering red rocks in various formations, making it a paradise for nature lovers, Wild West enthusiasts, and art fans. The architectural style of the town's buildings is red-toned, blending perfectly with the surrounding desert rocks. The city is also located on historic Route 66.

♥ Recommended hotels in Sedona

Article: ◄ Travel and vacation in Sedona

The city of Sedona

Sunset Volcano, Meteor Crater, and Wupatki Monuments

"Meteor Crater" is a giant crater formed by a meteor impact about 50,000 years ago. The crater's diameter is about 1.2 km. "Sunset Crater Volcano" is a relatively young volcano, 340 meters high, formed by an eruption less than a thousand years ago. Visitors can view the volcano and black lava fields through easy hiking trails, some of which are accessible. In Wupatki National Monument, you can find the remains of ancient dwellings from about 800 years ago, scattered across several sites in the park.

♥ Recommended hotels in Flagstaff

♥ or Hotels in Sedona

Articles: ◄ Trip to Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki National Monument ◄ Travel and vacation in Sedona

Meteor Crater

Wupatki ruins

Petrified Forest

Petrified Forest National Park is a desert national park in northeastern Arizona on historic Route 66. Its main attraction is the giant, perfectly preserved tree fossils from a forest that spanned the area about 220 million years ago. Petrified trees, appearing like quartz rocks in various stunning colors, are scattered in almost every corner of the park.

♥ Recommended hotel near the Petrified Forest (Holbrook):

♦ La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Holbrook Petrified Forest

Article: ◄ Trip to Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest

Albuquerque

Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico. The beautiful and colorful Old Town is one of the city's main attractions, featuring over 150 shops, restaurants, and galleries. The city is considered one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in the USA, which is reflected in its varied architecture, artwork, cultural centers, and of course, its food.

♥ Recommended hotels in Albuquerque

Article: ◄ The traveler's guide to Albuquerque

Albuquerque

Santa Fe

Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, is the oldest capital city in the USA, founded in 1607. It is the first city in the USA to be designated by UNESCO as a "Creative City" thanks to its unique house designs, distinctive handicrafts, and folk-based art. More than ten percent of the city's residents are involved in the arts, and it boasts hundreds of galleries, art shops, and art markets. The city is also famous for the large and colorful art festivals held there annually.

Article: ◄ The traveler's guide to Santa Fe

Adobe houses in Santa Fe