Salt Lake City, UT to Sedona, AZ

Resist, have a look at the area on Google maps. The first exit I'm strongly suggesting that you bypass is only 2 miles south of Flagstaff, but still about 25 miles north of the north end of Sedona. That is Hwy 89A which winds through Oak Creek Canyon. Not easy for a large motorhome. Driving 40 miles down I-17 gets you to Exit #298 (Hwy 179), which is about 6 miles from the south end of Sedona, and an easy two lane road.

If you have a toad, definitely explore Oak Creek Canyon after you arrive in Sedona.

Hwy 179 (Exit 298) is the exit you definitely want for the direct route into Sedona off I-17 coming from the north.

DO NOT take Exit 320 Schnebly Hill which I believe is marked for Sedona, also. It turns into a gravel 4-wheeling road - not fun in a motorhome!

Unless you have reservations somewhere already, if you want a nice quiet scenic place to stay, take Exit 293 or 287 and head to Cottonwood - a pleasant little town. Dead Horse Ranch State Park is a very nice place to stay with a big rig and it's an easy drive into Sedona, avoiding the Sedona congestion with a motorhome. From Dead Horse you'll have a beautiful nightime view of Jerome's lights (a must to visit during the day - without the motorhome), you can pick up the Verde Valley train ride, Tuizigoot Nat'l Monument of ancient ruins is right next to Dead Horse and Montezuma Castle Nat'l Monument is nearby. Even a car drive over to Prescott is a gorgeous drive from Jerome. Plus, there's a WalMart in Cottonwood. :) Lots to do in the area but be prepared - it will be HOT. Jerome and Prescott will be a little cooler and once you get into Sedona, definitely drive 89A north with your car. It's shaded, a little cooler and a very pretty drive. If you have children with you, plan a 1/2 day (picnic lunch) at Slide Rock State Park on 89A - a Day Use park. Kids of all ages have a ball in the creek and yes, sliding down boulders. Wear water shoes or old tennis shoes to do this. It's a beautiful place.

Janss wrote:
Bypass the first exit which says Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon and instead drive about 40 miles south to the other Sedona exit #298 (which is Hwy 179) and take that into Sedona.

So you're saying after going 40 miles south of Sedona, you then drive back up to Sedona via 179.

We'll be driving a 36' Motorhome.

Once on 179 from 17 depending on your final destination in Sedona, you'll have a maximum of 11 round-abouts to navigate. They are large and well engineered. We had no problems with out 38' 5th wheel. If hyou're headed to Red Rock Crossing and using a GPS DO NOT take the left turn it may advise you to do. Red Rock Crosing from that direction was washed out a while ago and I understand there is not a place to turn around anything but a single vehicle.

Mountain Directory West is a good resource.
Search this Forum for Sedona and the roads into it. 89A out of Sedona north is NOT RV friendly.

I would go I-15 to Hwy 20 to 89 to 89A (at Kanab) to 89 (near Bitter Springs) to Flagstaff. In Flagstaff get on I-40 west then I-17 south. Bypass the first exit which says Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon and instead drive about 40 miles south to the other Sedona exit #298 (which is Hwy 179) and take that into Sedona.

Just a clarification....Cameron Trading Post, a worthwhile stop, is not immediately south of the 89A/89 junction. It is further south on 89 just before the 64 junction, which goes to Grand Canyon Nat'l Park.

Enjoy your trip! And welcome to the forum!

Having driven this often with our 40' motorhome, take UT I-15 south to UT20 (an easy drive) to UT89 south through Panguitch and down to Kanab, UT. Then, since 89 is closed just south of Page, AZ you'll have to take 89A in Fredonia, Arizona. You'll have a steep descent just past Jacob Lake, AZ but very doable. RVs use this route all the time. Continue on AZ89A to Bitter Springs, AZ (this is where the 89 closure is south of Page, AZ). Turn right on AZ 89 (Cameron Trading Post on almost your immediate right after turning has wonderful Indian Tacos) and take 89 into Flagstaff, AZ.

Alternative from UT I-15: Instead of taking UT Hwy 20 to UT 89 (and I really think Hwy 20 is an easy route), you could continue on I-15 south and pick up UT9 toward Hurricane, UT. Then pick up UT59/AZ389 which will take you to Fredonia and on to Jacob Lake and to 89A as stated in the above directions.

Now...you didn't state what size RV you're driving but once you get into Flagstaff, AZ if you take AZ I-40 west to 89A and into Sedona, you'll have a steep, long curvy downhill and big RVs are not advised to do it. Your alternative from I-40 in Flagstaff is to pick up I-17 south to AZ179 and into Sedona. Prepare for slow-going after leaving I-17 - many tourists heading into Sedona - like yourself. :) Have a good trip and it'll be hot in Sedona.

We were down in Kanab this April after visiting Zion from just north of SLC. We took I15 to Scipio, then cut across US50 to link with I70 in Aurora, UT. Saved some of the climb south of Scipio going to Cedar City. Getting on US89 south from I70 had a bit of climb and some turning for the first 10 miles or so, but it wasn't bad at all. From there down to Kanab is a nice drive. Check fuel prices before you get to Panguitch, it had the lowest on the trip. Coming across UT20 is doable, but a pretty good climb and drop (it's up and over the ridgeline). UT17/9 takes you right through Zion NP. Beautiful drive, but the eastern half is uphill switchbacks and if you're oversized you will have to pay the escort fee and have limited times to pass through. We drove through it in our Toad and loved it, but don't want to take the rig through. Depending on your hill climbing preferences, going through Scipio to Aurora was pretty and off the beaten track, gradual rise and good roads. Up and over UT 20 was good, but steep (6+% grades) and lots of semi's. Can't speak to the route south of Kanab. Check the AZ DOT site on the 89A condition www.azdot.gov Enjoy the drive.

If you're referring to Alt 89 from Kanab to Bitter Springs, you're only saving yourself four miles from taking 89 from Nephi to south of Flagstaff, where you take 89A to Sedona. It's doable but it's not as RV friendly as 89. You asked. :)

US 89 A is doable, also US 89 between Page, AZ & just before 89 A cuts off from it, has had a washout of the roadway. Happened a few months ago & as far as I know one must take a detour to get from Page to Flag using 89.

Seems like the detour is from Page using AZ 98 to US 160 W to Tuba City to US 89 S.

The 89 A is an off shoot (or Alternative) from 89 which goes up by the Grand Canyon North Unit's entrance turn off at Jacob Lake & joins 89 at Kanab, UT. The 89 A only runs between Kanab & near Bitter Springs, AZ. The regular US 89 also turns at Kanab to Page then down to Flagstaff. Except one must do a long detour to do so now, as far as I know.

US 89 was an easy drive from Kanab North to I-70. A long way North of 89 A. We used a section of I-70 to US 50 to get to I-15....so we wouldn't have to drive as much on I-15.

Otherwise, I believe one could use UT 20 to get from the 15 to the 89 which should be the fastest.

From Kanab 89 A does make a climb up to the Jacob Lake area with the curves & turns which making ascents have. After Jacob Lake area, you will have turns & curves on the descent to the 89.

One just has to what one's speed in going into the curves, use lower gears going up & even more importantly using lower gears going down. Speed limit is low in the area as well. For good reasons.

A very scenic drive, neat rock formations after the descent along the way to the 89. To & from the Colorado River Crossing (Bridge). A lot sage brush land as well.

Seems one can go down south on I-15 to exit 27 (Zion Exit I believe-but not to Zion), use UT 17 & 9 to UT 59/AZ 389 to get to the 89 A as well. Not sure how it would be, or if it is long or shorter. Maybe a little longer. However, Google Maps has this as the route to take. 568 mi, 9 hours 8 mins. The UT 20 to US 89 Route: 543 mi, 9 hours 9 mins. 25 miles less, one minute longer. Ha!

:S Hey, there is another US 89 A, south of Flag going to Sedona. How about that. Can't help on that 89 A.