Tips about the drive from PHX to Sedona

[akp]

We will be flying into PHX about 8pm after a full work day for my husband + travel. I'm trying to decide whether to drive to Sedona that night or wait until the morning.

If it is a stretch of road I can drive easily (more below), I'd like to drive that night. If my husband needs to drive (again, more below), we may want to wait until morning.

Unfortunately over the recent 10 years or so, I have developed a serious phobia of driving over bridges, and it has generalized a bit to steep drop offs. (I'm okay when someone else is driving.)

Can anyone provide specifics about that drive, particularly if there are steep drop offs and / or big bridges?

Thanks so much.

 

[SmithOp]

Its interstate highway all the way. No large bridges but there are several steep grades up and down with slow trucks. One section has an extra lane for slow trucks. It will be very dark once you turn off on 179 for the last 20 miles into Sedona, they don't have a lot of street lighting there.

We just drove down to Phoenix from Sedona on Saturday, there was a northbound semi truck crashed into the center divide on a 2 lane section, blocked all traffic, the backup was at least 5 miles as we passed southbound.

I hate to scare you but if you are at all nervous I would drive it in the daytime. The AZ speed limit is 75 and you will get passed by maniacs going 90.

It's pretty flat with multi lanes up to Anthem, I would stay there in a motel.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[akp]

Thanks, this is exactly what I was looking for!

Anita

 

[b2bailey]

You didn't mention time of year -- but many years ago in mid September we were caught in a rain storm so severe we had to pull over to the side of the road. Definitely wouldn't want to do it in the dark.

 

[Passepartout]

Remember that your 'body time' will be an hour or two 'later' than the Arizona time, so it may 'feel' later. That may also have bearing on the drive-or stay decision. The drive isn't difficult- at least after you get out of metro Phoenix. If your check-in is scheduled for the evening of the travel day, you might consider calling the resort so that it will be ready for your check-in when you arrive the morning after. It would be a shame if they gave someone else 'your' unit and you had to wait until a late afternoon check-in time after you arrive.

Jim

 

[Quiet Pine]

serious phobia of driving over bridges, and it has generalized a bit to steep drop offs

This is my situation. There's a stretch of I-17 (the interstate between Phoenix and Flagstaff) just south of Sunset Point Rest Area that climbs and twists, with a drop off on the left, . It's only 5 minutes, and I drive slowly, letting everyone pass. I've done it at night, but not happily. There's no danger, just my irrational fear. I agree with SmithOp that a stay in Anthem would work well. You'd get to enjoy the scenery on the drive.

 

[akp]

Thank you. This is the kind of irrational fear I struggle with as well. If that is the only part of the trip that bothers you, I can easily drive we get close to that rest area, have my husband drive for 15-20 minutes, and then switch back. Thank you for precisely identifying the spot for me!

 

[akp]

Remember that your 'body time' will be an hour or two 'later' than the Arizona time, so it may 'feel' later. That may also have bearing on the drive-or stay decision. The drive isn't difficult- at least after you get out of metro Phoenix. If your check-in is scheduled for the evening of the travel day, you might consider calling the resort so that it will be ready for your check-in when you arrive the morning after. It would be a shame if they gave someone else 'your' unit and you had to wait until a late afternoon check-in time after you arrive.

Jim

Good suggestion about calling the resort. I think I am going to book it starting that night we arrive just in case we opt to make the whole drive that night bc at worst we will be there mid morning Saturday and I don't want to be homeless until 4pm check in

 

[akp]

You didn't mention time of year -- but many years ago in mid September we were caught in a rain storm so severe we had to pull over to the side of the road. Definitely wouldn't want to do it in the dark.

It will be next week, early January.

 

[Sandy VDH]

I didn't think the drive to Sedona is bad at all. Most of I 17 is divided, and in many cases about 1/2 to 1 mile apart from Northbound to Southbound lanes. I have driven it at 10 pm and didn't bat an eye.