Scouting Sedona’s Greatest Driving Roads
6 min read
Hovering pink rock canyons which are full of lush, inexperienced valleys. Rock formations that appear to have been positioned there by some all-powerful being. All over the place you look the world appears like nothing you’ve seen earlier than, and each nook you’re taking brings extra breathtaking views and websites.
No, this isn’t a science fiction film, we’re speaking about Sedona, Arizona! A very one-of-a-kind spot that occurs to not solely be ethereally stunning but additionally occurs to have a number of the most excellent driving roads within the nation. We’ll begin our journey on the iconic Sky Rock Sedona resort, and set out for a set of views such as you’ve by no means seen earlier than.
Purple Rock Scenic Byway
For one of many punchiest drives, you are able to do in a brief time period, look no additional than the Purple Rock Scenic Byway / 89A loop.
You’ll begin on the legendary Sky Rock Sedona, and wind your manner by means of the middle of Downtown Sedona alongside the Purple Rocks Scenic Byway (SR 179), passing by legendary spots just like the Tlaquepaque Arts & Buying Village and the Chapel of the Holy Cross, each of which deserve a radical exploration on their very own. Carry on shifting by means of the quaint village of Oak Creek, full with a number of the most gorgeous vistas in the complete Sedona space, and take a fast cease on the Purple Rocks Customer Middle for an unparalleled view of the valley and the Purple Rock Vary.
Exit freeway 179 at Beaverflats Highway to start out making the loop again towards Sky Rock Sedona and onto Oak Creek Highway. If you happen to come in the summertime, make sure you cease off for a cool dip at one of many many swimming holes alongside Oak Creek! Head north on 89A, and take within the views of the Purple Rock Vary from the opposite aspect of the valley. There are numerous locations to cease alongside the way in which right here and benefit from the gorgeous views.
Take this route and in a matter of some hours, you possibly can see the perfect that Sedona has to supply.
Purple Rocks Scenic Byway to Mingus Mountain
In case you have extra time, you owe your self a journey by means of the outdated mining city of Jerome and an exciting drive up Mingus Mountain.
Your journey for the primary a part of this trip will take you on the Purple Rocks Scenic Byway the place you’ll be capable to cease and gawk on the unimaginable views of the Purple Rock Valley. As soon as you progress off the 179, you’ll journey by means of the cool outdated west city of Cottonwood, full with an iconic downtown that’s bustling with bars, eating places, and purchasing. Hold following 89A for an iconic little bit of spooky enjoyable and good driving.
Those that love the supernatural (or simply the tremendous cool) will wish to poke across the legendary ghost city of Jerome, identified for its quite a few haunted areas and attention-grabbing historical past. Subsequent, put in your driving footwear as a result of the street to the highest of Mingus Mountain is one heck of a trip. From the switchbacks in Jerome to the lengthy sweepers as your head up larger, this can be a route born for a correct sports activities automotive. Cease on the prime of Mingus Mountain and benefit from the peace, solitude, and a picnic lunch.
When you again down, you’ll comply with 89A all the way in which again to Sedona, however make sure you cease and benefit from the dozens of unimaginable views alongside the way in which again to Sky Rock Sedona. A spotlight of this itinerary is a cease on the Sedona Wetlands Protect, which is without doubt one of the most ecologically various areas within the Southwest.

Sedona to County Nook
For all-out driving thrills and gorgeous views, you possibly can’t beat the Sedona Sky to Nation Nook run.
This one’s a simple one to drive because you mainly keep on freeway 89A the entire manner by means of. Begin in Sedona and wind alongside the bottom of the Purple Rock Vary, stopping at one of many many scenic viewpoints alongside the route. Cruise by means of Cottonwood and Jerome, after which onto the actually difficult little bit of street for this journey. 89A dips and winds its manner by means of the Prescott Nationwide Forest, climbing in elevation to just about 8,000 ft earlier than descending progressively again in direction of Kirkland.
What makes this route so entrancing is the views of the Valleys and peaks alongside the way in which, and the magical transition from excessive desert to pine-laden forests. If you happen to like to drive or trip, this can be a route that may not be missed.
A Bonus Highway for a Separate Day Journey
If you happen to love nature, you possibly can’t presumably go to this area with no journey to the Grand Canyon. Not solely is that this unimaginable website one of many wonders of the pure world, however the journey to and from the Grand Canyon is equally as enriching.
Earlier than you head to Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, you’ll have to buy tickets for a particular time slot to enter the park. Do that effectively upfront, as a result of the Grand Canyon is without doubt one of the most visited Nationwide Parks on the earth! There are many methods to get to the Grand Canyon, however we suggest taking the scenic route by means of Flagstaff, alongside the scenic majesty of Freeway 180, after which onto Freeway 64. Alongside the way in which, you’ll have the chance to look at because the treeline disappears right into a mock flatland that hides the key of the Grand Canyon only a few miles forward.
Ensure that to pack a lunch and map out all of the actions you wish to do when you get contained in the park. An absolute spotlight for these on a brief cease is Desert View Highway, which traverses 23 miles alongside the long-lasting South Rim of the Canyon. There’s a lot to see that you could be even want a second day! Fuel is out there within the Grand Canyon Village however be cautious of higher-than-usual costs.
A As soon as-In-A-Lifetime Drive
what’s higher than stunning pink rocks and hovering mountains? How about experiencing these items behind the wheel of a bonafide supercar?!
Open Highway by Xtreme Xperience affords you the expertise of a lifetime by letting you slide behind the wheel of one in every of our bespoke supercars. That’s proper, YOU get to drive on the unimaginable roads that encompass the long-lasting Sedona, AZ space. Certain, you would drive these roads in your minivan, however winding previous iconic landmarks like Cathedral Rock or Purple Rock State Park in a supercar is an expertise that may change your life.
You’ll be capable to drive as much as three distinctive supercars from manufacturers like Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari. Relying on the expertise, you possibly can drive all three automobiles within the fleet over the course of the day. Moreover working for a automotive journal, how else are you going to check three of the world’s finest supercars?
Nice roads, nice websites, and nice automobiles. What might be higher than this to your subsequent journey to Sedona?
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