Can you do a day trip from Phoenix to Grand Canyon?

The south rim of Grand Canyon National Park is a 3.5-hour drive from Phoenix. Take Interstate 17 north from Phoenix to Flagstaff. From Flagstaff take Route 180 northwest to the south entrance and the park's visitor center. Or take Highway 89 to Route 64 to the park's east entrance.



People Also Ask

The views, along with the adventures in between, are certainly worth the drive. No matter where you start in Phoenix, Interstate 17 (I-17) is your road to the Grand Canyon — with one or two detours along the way. What is great about the 1-17 is it ends in Flagstaff, only an hour-and-half to the Grand Canyon.

MORE DETAILS

You take that to Rte 64 which is a similar road directly to the canyon. The drive is not necessarily difficult, but you will find that it is extremely dark up there (no city lights once you leave flagstaff).

MORE DETAILS

Driving is the cheapest way to get to the Grand Canyon since you can get there and back on less than two tanks of gas. A four-hour drive without any stops, it is also the fastest way to get there. From Phoenix, find the shortest route to I-17 North, take 1-17 North to 1-40, and head west on I-40 to Highway 64.

MORE DETAILS

The south rim of Grand Canyon National Park is a 3.5-hour drive from Phoenix. Take Interstate 17 north from Phoenix to Flagstaff. From Flagstaff take Route 180 northwest to the south entrance and the park's visitor center. Or take Highway 89 to Route 64 to the park's east entrance.

MORE DETAILS

Tours and Activities: National Park (North and South rims) entrance fees - $30 per vehicle. West Rim entrance package - $46.65 per person. Helicopter tours - South Rim - $199 per person. Helicopter tours - West Rim - $299 per person.

MORE DETAILS

The best times to visit the Grand Canyon are March through May and September through November, when daytime temperatures are cool and crowds are thin.

MORE DETAILS

How Many Days at the Grand Canyon? We recommend between one to three days at the Grand Canyon, though you could stay for longer for a relaxed visit. With only one day at the Grand Canyon, you can check out a few viewpoints, hike into the canyon or on the Rim Trail, and catch the sunset.

MORE DETAILS

Safety: Taking a guided tour can be safer than driving yourself, especially if you're not familiar with the terrain or weather conditions. However, there are also some downsides to taking a tour: Cost: Tours can be expensive, especially if you're traveling with a large group or booking a luxury tour.

MORE DETAILS

The best way to tour the village is to park your vehicle once, then ride the Village (Blue) Route Shuttle around the South Rim. It connects the Visitor Center, lodges, campgrounds, Backcountry Information Center, and Market Plaza (Market, deli, outdoor ATM, and U.S. Post Office).

MORE DETAILS

If you find yourself in the Phoenix area, it's well worth taking a drive through Sedona. In fact, we'd recommend staying there and spending plenty of time exploring the canyons, hikes, and other natural attractions in the area.

MORE DETAILS

The trip measures 65 miles and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes each way—45 minutes faster than in 1901 when the train made its first trip. The train departs Grand Canyon Depot each afternoon for the return trip to the Williams Depot. All aboard!

MORE DETAILS