Looking for the perfect California to Arizona road trip itinerary? I’ve got you covered! There are tons of amazing sights to see in Arizona, especially all the beautiful natural landscapes to discover. So if you’re planning a road trip from California to Arizona then here are all of the best stops you’ll want to make along the way!
This road trip starts in San Diego, although if you prefer you could easily modify it to take a road trip to Arizona from Los Angeles or another California city instead. Although this road trip doesn’t specify any number of days or amount of time to spend, you’ll likely want anywhere from 7-10 days to experience all the stops listed here. But if you have a shorter or longer amount of time to spend on this road trip then you can easily modify this itinerary to fit any length of time you need. And whatever amount of time you have to explore, you are sure to make memories of a lifetime on this route from California to Arizona!
California to Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
1. Start Your Road Trip in San Diego
Your California to Arizona road trip starting point is in San Diego, and if you aren’t from San Diego then you’ll likely want to spend some time exploring while you’re here. This city is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the US, so you won’t want to miss the chance to explore and see all it has to offer!
There are so many fun things to do in San Diego, but some of the most popular include visiting all the beautiful beaches here, going hiking, seeing the city sights, and even watching one of our spectacular San Diego sunsets!
Depending on how long you want to spend here, there are some essential sights you won’t want to miss. So if you have the time during your road trip, here are a few itineraries to consider:
But whether you have just a morning to explore or have a few days, seeing some of the best San Diego has to offer is a great way to start off your road trip from San Diego to Arizona!
2. Explore Tucson
There are very few things of note to do on the route from San Diego to Tucson, so at around 6 hours of travel time it is fairly easy to drive this stretch of the California-Arizona road trip in one day. If you are looking for things to do to break up the route a little, you might want to consider a brief stop to see the Imperial Sand Dunes, or stop in Yuma to see the old prison from the 1800s, or stop in Dateland to get a Date Shake.
However, beyond these brief stops you’ll likely find it best to drive to Tucson and explore here for the afternoon/evening before staying here for the night. There are all sorts of things to do in Tucson depending on what you enjoy, from visiting Old Tucson (a Wild West attraction/movie studio with live action stunt shows and entertainment), to visiting art museums or the air & space museum, to taking a bike tour of the city, to simply enjoying the restaurants and food scene here.
Note that during daylight saving time (March-November) California and Arizona are on the same time schedule. However, if you’re taking your road trip between November to March then Arizona is one hour ahead of California…which means if your driving time takes you 6 hours then the clock will actually say you arrive 7 hours from when you left San Diego. This is good to keep in mind when you consider what time you want to leave San Diego to go to Tucson!
Where to Stay in Tucson:
• Best Western – Popular hotel choice with breakfast included
• El Amador – Beautiful vacation houses near downtown
• Hotel Congress – Inexpensive historic hotel in downtown
3. See Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park is near Tucson, so your next road trip stop should definitely be to visit here! Unlike most national parks, however, you’ll find Saguaro is split into two sections—west and east—and these two sections are on completely different sides of the city of Tucson!
Most visitors choose to explore Saguaro National Park West, and if you are limited in time this is definitely the side of the park that I would recommend you explore. There are lots of things to do here in Saguaro, but one of the biggest attractions is (of course) simply seeing the majestic and huge Saguaro cacti that can be found throughout this slice of the Sonoran Desert.
While you’re here, you’ll also want to take a few hikes, try to find the biggest Saguaro possible, and see the petroglyphs in the park. If you’re around for sunset, then this is definitely a sight worth seeing too!
The spring and fall are the best times to visit Saguaro, but especially if you visit during the super hot summer months then you will want to make sure you’re only outdoors and only hiking in the cooler morning hours or the cooler evening hours. You definitely won’t want to get heat stroke during your road trip, so it’s important to consider the time of day you visit and explore here!
Overall, this national park is an incredible place to explore and you’ll be able to see these unique cacti and learn more about this part of the desert in Arizona. This is a great road trip stop no matter whether you only spend the morning or spend the entire day here.
Looking to save money on this road trip? Buy an America the Beautiful Pass to cover entry to all the national parks!
4. Become an Intrepid Explorer at Petrified Forest National Park
Traveling from Saguaro National Park to your next stop, Petrified Forest National Park, is another long drive at around 4-5 hours of travel time. If you like, you could break it up a little by stopping and exploring Phoenix…otherwise, simply push on. It will be worth it!
The Petrified Forest/Painted Desert area is one of my favorite national parks, so I highly recommend you stop here when you road trip California to Arizona. There are so many beautiful things to see here, from the surprisingly bright reds of the petrified wood all around…to the hills in the badlands that look like a painting!
There are some beautiful overlooks if you simply want to drive through the park, but there are also some common trails to explore. Even better, you can pick up an off-the-beaten-path guide from a visitor center so you can explore some of the unmarked trails in the park! This was my favorite thing to do here and one of the highlights of my entire California to Arizona road trip, as you get to explore the park away from what most people see. It’s a really special experience!
So if you have the time, spend some time exploring both the marked and unmarked parts of this park to get the full experience. This is a particularly beautiful place to watch sunsets as well, so be sure to find a good spot and watch the beauty all around you.
Where to Stay Near Petrified Forest:
• Brad’s Desert Inn – Kitschy desert motel in Holbrook
• Best Western – Hotel with breakfast included
5. Marvel at the Grand Canyon
What road trip through Arizona would be complete without a stop at the Grand Canyon? This is one of the most well-known and beloved US national parks and certainly deserves a spot on your road trip to Arizona from California itinerary.
If you have only a short time to spend here at the Grand Canyon, then you may wish to explore the southern rim by car (or by the bus system when cars are not allowed on the road along the rim). There are lots of beautiful viewpoints here, and you’ll find some great places to watch the sunset as well.
If you have more time, you may enjoy hiking along the rim or even taking some of the iconic hikes like Bright Angel Trail. But no matter what you do while you’re here, this stop will be unforgettable as you discover this landscape unlike any other on earth!
Where to Stay at the Grand Canyon:
• El Tovar – Lodge in the park with views over the Grand Canyon
• Airbnb – Lots of cute accommodation near the park.
6. Visit the Famed Antelope Canyon
Besides the Grand Canyon, one of the most Instagram-famous spots in Arizona is definitely Antelope Canyon. It’s around 2-3 hours from the Grand Canyon and is the next logical stop on your road trip, so if you’re interested to see it for yourself then this should definitely be the next stop on your California to Arizona itinerary.
The first thing you should know before visiting this amazing slot canyon is that Antelope Canyon actually has two different sections: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. So which one should you visit?
The upper canyon is the most internationally popular, as it is most famous for its “beam of light” phenomenon that occurs quite predictably on sunny days around midday between late March to early October. If you are interested in seeing this phenomenon for yourself, then the summer season is a great time to visit the upper canyon. This canyon also on a ground level throughout, so it is a perfect place to visit for people of all ages and physical abilities.
Lower Antelope Canyon looks quite similar to the upper canyon (when considered as far as colors and general looks). The beam of light phenomenon is not as predictable here, however, so if this is a deal-breaker then you should definitely visit the upper canyon instead. Another key difference is that the lower canyon must be entered through a series of ladders and staircases. It doesn’t require a great deal (in fact, any reasonably healthy person should be able to do it) but it is something to consider before booking your tour.
It is not possible to visit Antelope Canyon independently, so you will need to book a tour to visit. And you will want to book as far as advance as possible to ensure there is a spot for you on the day you want to go here! But whether you choose to book tickets for the Upper Antelope Canyon or book tickets for the Lower Antelope Canyon (or both!), this is sure to be a memorable stop on your California to Arizona road trip!
7. See Horseshoe Bend
While you’re visiting Antelope Canyon, there’s another view you’ll want to take a few minutes to appreciate—Horseshoe Bend! This vista was popularized by social media a few years ago and is still a popular sight to see today.
When you think about it, Horseshoe Bend is really just that: a horseshoe-shaped bend in the Colorado River near Page, Arizona. It doesn’t sound that glamorous, but when you see it in person it is truly quite spectacular! And since it’s only 20 minutes from Antelope Canyon, you can easily combine a trip to Antelope Canyon with a quick stop-off to admire this unique natural formation.
This is an especially popular place at sunset when the cliff walls turn bright orange, although it is fun to see at anytime of day. Whenever you decide to visit, you’ll have a pleasant short hike to the viewing area and will certainly enjoy the view…although you’ll probably be sharing it with a lot of other people!
8. Spend Some Time in Sedona
After finishing at Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, it’s time to drive a little over 2.5 hours to reach your next stop for the night—Sedona. Doing this sets you up perfectly to explore Sedona in the morning before continuing on your California to Arizona road trip route.
While you’re in Sedona, you’ll be spoiled for choice with hikes to enjoy. From Cathedral Rock, to Devil’s Bridge, to Solider Pass, and more…there are so many beautiful hikes in this gorgeous location!
But if you’re looking for a break from all the outdoor activities, this is also a fun place to explore the local shops and boutiques. There are so many cute shops here and you’ll have a blast window shopping or real shopping while you’re here.
And no matter what you decide to do, you’ll find Sedona to be a breathtaking stop on your road trip from California to Arizona!
Where to Stay in Sedona:
• Cedars Resort – Mid-range hotel with nice views
• Sky Ranch Lodge – Cute hotel with views and a free shuttle to downtown
9. See Route 66 Sights in Seligman, Arizona
Now that you’ve seen many of the best natural and outdoor spots in Arizona, it’s time to visit a few other types of sights toward the end of your trip. One of these stops is going to Seligman to see the Route 66 sights! It should take you just under 2 hours to reach Seligman from Sedona, so this is a fairly easy leg of your journey.
If you’ve been to other Route 66 towns, then you know you’re in for some kitschy but fun sights…and Seligman is no exception. This little town boasts Route 66 classics including motels, shops, and gas stations.
The best way to explore is simply to park your car and walk around the town, stopping at any place you find interesting. Some things you’ll definitely want to do, though, include seeing The Rusty Bolt (a junk/memorabilia/souvenir shop), going to Angel and Vilma Delgadillo’s Route 66 Gift Shop, and stopping by the Snow Cap Drive-In for a malt (and to hear all the owner’s jokes).
And when you’re ready for dinner, it’s time to head over to Westside Lilo’s for excellent food. I love their Texas Toothpicks appetizer, but their chicken fried steak, schnitzel, and carrot cake are also very good options.
This whole town is cute and kitschy and so completely Route 66 that it is a must-see during your road trip. It will be sure to bring a smile to your face!
10. Stop by the London Bridge in Arizona
Your final stop on the Arizona portion of this road trip is London Bridge in Lake Havasu. Yes, you read that right: London Bridge…as in London, England! Did you know that Arizona now lays claim to the old London bridge from the city of London? Well, it does…and you can stop by and see it during your road trip!
So how did this come about? Well, the city of London was planning to build a new bridge over the Thames so they wanted to sell off the old one to make some money before building the new one. So a man named Robert McCulloch decided to buy it for Lake Havasu, move it across the pond, and rebuild it brick by brick in the exact same way it was in England.
Since Lake Havasu has the original London Bridge here, they’ve tried to go with the theme and make this part of the city into a mini London town with some of the iconic features you’d expect to see if you were in the real London. It’s cute to see and doesn’t take long to stop at during your road trip, so you might as well pause here for a bit! It’s also got lots of fascinating history tidbits associated with the bridge, so it’s a pretty interesting stop on the whole.
11. Explore Joshua Tree
As you wind up the Arizona portion of your California to Arizona trip, it’s time to stop by one of my favorite places in California. Joshua Tree National Park is a stunning place filled with intriguing desert scenery, from the strange-looking Joshua Trees, to the huge boulders, to almost cuddly-looking cacti.
Your journey from London Bridge to Joshua Tree will likely take around 2.5 hours. But keep in mind that during Standard Time (non-daylight saving time) from November to March you will gain an hour back during this part of your road trip, so it will look like you’ve only driven for 1.5 hours (it won’t feel like it though!).
The Joshua Tree/Twentynine Palms area is an excellent place to spend the night and then get up in the morning to explore Joshua Tree before finishing off your road trip by returning to San Diego.
There are lots of things to see here during a day in Joshua Tree, whether you are interested in hiking, going rock climbing, taking a Hummer adventure tour of the park, or more, you’ll find plenty of cool landscapes and activities to enjoy. The stars here area also beautiful to see, so be sure to enjoy stargazing while you’re here!
Where to Stay near Joshua Tree National Park:
• Camping – There are no lodges, only campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park
• The Castle House Estate – Unique stay in a “castle” in the desert nearby
• High Desert Motel – Nice but budget-friendly stay nearby
12. Return to San Diego
After leaving Joshua Tree, it’s time to drive back to San Diego to complete your California to Arizona road trip loop. It should take around 2.5-3 hours to drive this part of the route.
Now that you’re back in San Diego, you can take a breather from all the driving and return home, enjoy more of what San Diego has to offer, or even continue up the coast if you’re interested in taking a California coastal road trip. The options are nearly endless, but hopefully you have enjoyed your time seeing some of the best places on a road trip to Arizona from California!
Read next: 20 Epic Places to See in California
California to Arizona Road Trip Map
What You Need For a California to Arizona Road Trip
Now that you know your California to Arizona itinerary, it’s time to start prepping for your road trip! There are a few things you’ll definitely want to consider buying and bringing:
1. America the Beautiful National Parks Pass
If you plan to follow this itinerary and visit all the best national parks and outdoor areas on this list, then one of the best things you can do is buy an America the Beautiful Pass.
What is the America the Beautiful Pass? It’s a year-long pass that grants you entrance into all US national parks and areas maintained by the national parks system (national monuments, day use fees at national forests, etc.). This is all for one fee, so once you buy it you won’t have to pay to enter a national park for the rest of the year.
This pass will save you money even just on this road trip itinerary. Curious about the numbers? Here’s a breakdown for you based on this road trip itinerary:
- Saguaro National Park: $25
- Petrified Forest National Park: $25
- Grand Canyon National Park: $35
- Sedona Recreational Areas: $5 per day
- Joshua Tree National Park: $30
In total, visiting all of these parks would cost you $120 dollars on this road trip. However, the America the Beautiful Pass only costs $80…saving you $40 and you can use it for entrance to national parks for the rest of the year! If that’s not a deal, I don’t know what is. So be sure to buy your America the Beautiful Pass before you leave for your California to Arizona road trip!
2. Pack the Road Trip Essentials
When going on a long road trip, it’s important to make sure everything from your car to yourself is fully prepared for the journey. Wondering how to do this? I’ve prepared a guide to the 31 travel essentials you should bring for safety and comfort on your road trip! (Alternatively, grab this free printable road trip packing checklist!)
From what you need for your car, to the electronics you should bring, to money-saving tips for road tripping, and more…you’ll find everything you need to know in this guide to help you prepare for your next road trip!
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