Getting from Sedona to the Grand Canyon? Despite it just being over 100 miles, there are a few ways to make the journey. Sedona is a tourist town, where lots of visitors to Arizona tend to flock to, so there is no shortage of routes to the Grand Canyon. How you get there depends on how you like to travel, what you’re interested in seeing along the way, and how much time you have. But however you get there, you’ll be met with awe-inspiring vistas along the way, (almost) rivalling that of the Grand Canyon’s beauty. We’ll let you be the judge of that. The sweeping red rock canyon awaits, here are the best ways to get some Sedona to the Grand Canyon.

Getting from Sedona to the Grand Canyon

Car

The easiest way to get from Sedona to the Grand Canyon is by car. And for those who live twists and turns, it’s a particularly fun one. It is a steep drive, so you need a reliable car that can take you there. If yours is looking worse for wear, or if you’re out of town, hiring a car is the first step. Then, you can set sail on the scenic drive to the Grand Canyon. If you go door-to-door (figuratively speaking), then you’ll get there in around two hours. But we’re almost certain you’re going to want to stop a lot on the way.

You start on the bendy Highway 89A – twisting, turning, and ascending, with a few sharp hairpin bends. It is strongly recommended that you’re a confident and proficient driver and it’s also not advisable for large RVs to take this route. You pass by some incredible hiking trails, so if you fancy stretching your legs on the journey, there’s not a much better place to do it.

At the top of the ascent, there’s a stop to relax and take in the incredible view of Oak Canyon. There are also typically some local craft makers selling their goods up here. When it’s time to hit the road again, you have two options: you can exit onto Interstate 40 and take an easy route, or go through Flagstaff. The first route is about five minutes shorter, but you’d be missing incredible views of the Flagstaff peaks. Flagstaff town is also a good place to stop off, grab a snack, and you can even take some time to explore its historical centre.

Train

If you’re looking for more of an adventure, you’ll love getting from Sedona to the Grand Canyon by train. Travelling by rail also tends to be a lot less damaging to the environment than other forms of transport, so if that’s important to you, then this is an excellent route.

Not only is it environmentally conscious, but it’s also practically a time machine. The train carriages date all the way back to 1901, with the entire route narrated by a team that is full of knowledge. While there isn’t a direct train from Sedona, you can get one from Willians, which is about 75 minutes away. The train takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes, with the first train leaving at 9:30am. Although it’s a bit of a journey out of Sedona to catch the train, it’s a fun and different experience. You’ll experience what passengers experienced back in 1901, with incredible views and learn about it along the way. From Williams, it takes you straight to the Grand Canyon, so you don’t have to worry about further travel once you’re there.

Tour

If you’re a visitor, don’t have a car, or you’re not a confident driver to take on the twisty roads, then a tour is a great option. There’s an array of tour operators in Sedona, which is one of Arizona’s main tourist hubs. These tours will pick you up, drop you off, and often takes you to more places than the Grand Canyon that you might not have seen. They’ll typically take the normal car route up to Oak Creek Canyon, through Flagstaff, to the Grand Canyon. Then, they might take you along the South Rim, giving you time to stop and take in the wonderful Desert View Watchtower before heading to Cameron Trading Post.

The region has a rich Native American history, and there are several brilliant tours that explore it. As well as taking you to the places we’ve already mentioned, they also take you to the Sunset Crater, and the historic ruins at Wupatki.  The Cameron Trading Post is a great place to see crafts and artwork as made by Navajo artisans.

Shuttle

If you don’t fancy the drive yourself, but also don’t want to go on a group tour, then a private shuttle could be the best option for you. While it’s the most pricey of all of the options, you do get access to secret spots where tour operators can’t go. So, not only will you have as much time to explore the park as you want, but you’ll also get to see spots that most people don’t. One of these places is a historic lodge that was once the hideaway of President Teddy Roosevelt. Private shuttles tend to allow a maximum of six people with admission to the park included in the price.