Phoenix to Sedona RV Road Trip

Route map and itinerary

1. Day 1 Sedona and the Verde Valley · about 2½ hours
2. Day 2 Sedona (night 2)
3. Day 3 Phoenix (near the airport and RV return) · about 2½ hours
4. Day 4 Fly home from PHX

Day by day

1. Day 1 Arrive in Phoenix and pick up your RV

   Experience

   Land at PHX, get to your rental location (some owners offer airport pickup or delivery; otherwise allow for a taxi or rideshare), do the walkthrough and orientation, and stock up on groceries, water and propane before you leave town.

   Getting there

   After pickup: about 2½ hours · 123 mi to Sedona and the Verde Valley. Keep the first afternoon short; you're learning the vehicle.

   Your stay: 2 nights (check out Day 3)

   Close to SedonaChavez CrossingSedona, AZ · about 5 min to Sedona (estimate) · 4.0★ (50)Why stay here: About 5 minutes to Sedona, the closest of these suggestions (estimate); lists RV sites up to 35 ft; 4.0★ from 50 reviews.

   Change or extend: Add a night here in the planner

   Compare 3 other campgrounds

   • Close to SedonaPine Flat Campground WestFlagstaff, AZ · about 20 min to Sedona (estimate) · 4.0★ (495)Lists sites up to 36 ft; confirm your site fits
   • Nearby alternativeRio Verde RV ParkCottonwood, AZ · about 30 min to Sedona (estimate) · 4.8★ (237)Site length not listed: ask the campground
   • Close to SedonaCave SpringSedona, AZ · about 20 min to Sedona (estimate) · 4.0★ (569)Lists sites up to 30 ft; confirm your site fits

   Getting around Sedona

   From Chavez Crossing: about 5 minutes to Sedona by road (estimate).

   Driving the RV

   • RVs and campers are not allowed in the Sedona Shuttle Park & Ride lots.
   • Popular trailhead lots (Cathedral Rock, Soldier Pass) close to private vehicles while the shuttle runs, and most trailhead lots are small and fill early. Plan RV-free days for those trails.
   • Trailhead and town lots are often small; check RV parking before you go.

   Shuttles

   • Sedona Shuttle (free, city-run): Runs from Park & Ride lots to Cathedral Rock and Little Horse, Soldier Pass, and Dry Creek Vista and Mescal trailheads, usually Thursday to Sunday and daily in busy periods. Because RVs can't use the Park & Ride lots, you need another way to reach them from your campground.
   • Sedona Shuttle Connect (on-demand, $2 a ride): City on-demand rides within its service area, including to the Park & Ride lots. Check that your campground is inside the service area before you rely on it.

   Checked October 2026; check current schedules before you go.

   Activities with pickup

   Loading activities…

   Other local transport

   • Rideshare and taxis operate in Sedona but availability varies, especially early mornings at trailheads.
   • Pink Jeep-style tours and some guided hikes pick up in town; see activities below.
   • Rideshare, taxis and bike rentals vary by area and season; arranged and paid separately.

2. Day 2 Sedona and the Verde Valley: explore

   Experience

   Two nights give one full day for red-rock trails such as Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock and the drive up Oak Creek Canyon.

   Travel today

   No campground change today; local travel is additional.

   Your stay

   Stay a second night at Chavez Crossing · same site, no packing up

3. Day 3 Drive back toward Phoenix

   Experience

   Spend the last night close to the rental return so departure morning is easy: dump tanks, refuel and clean up as your rental agreement requires.

   Getting there

   about 2½ hours · 123 mi

   Your stay: 1 night

   Near the airportCovered Wagon RV ParkPhoenix, AZ · about 15 min from the RV return area · 3.1★ (44)Why stay here: About 15 minutes from the RV return area; lists RV sites up to 50 ft; full hookups listed; 3.1★ from 44 reviews.

   Change or extend:

   Compare 2 other campgrounds

   • Near the airportSundialPeoria, AZ · about 30 min from the RV return area · 4.2★ (41)Lists sites up to 50 ft; confirm your site fits
   • Near the airportMesa Gardens RV ParkMesa, AZ · about 20 min from the RV return area · 4.4★ (30)Lists sites up to 55 ft; confirm your site fits

4. Day 4 Return the RV and fly home from PHX

   Experience

   Return the RV at the agreed time (check-in times vary by owner), then get to the airport. Leave a buffer: returns, inspections and the transfer can take a couple of hours.

   Getting there

   Short drive to the rental return, then transfer to the airport.

Campgrounds are suggestions from our park data, ranked by estimated drive time to the destination first, then listed site length, then reviews; "Inside the park" uses the National Park Service's list. Drive times are estimates. Seasonal openings and live availability aren't in our static park data; the planner checks them for your dates. Open dates and prices are checked live in the planner.

RV pickup and return

Pick up and return the RV in the Phoenix area. Day 1 allows time to get from PHX to the rental (owners' locations vary; a few offer airport pickup or delivery), the walkthrough, and a grocery stop, so the first drive is short: about about 2½ hours to Sedona and the Verde Valley. The last night is near the return so you can refuel, empty the tanks and return on time before your flight.

Pickup and return times, mileage allowances and fees are set by each owner; check them before you book. This trip is about 246 miles.

RV rentals near Phoenix airport

Before you go

• Parking at many Sedona trailheads is small and fills early; leave the RV at camp and use a tow car or the trailhead shuttle where it runs.
• Many trailheads in Coconino National Forest need a Red Rock Pass or a federal pass for parking.
• Most RV parks are in the Verde Valley (Cottonwood, Camp Verde), 20–30 minutes from Sedona.

Phoenix to Sedona by RV: common questions

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