The Petrified Forest area of the Painted desert(BIG Place) is ok for a day stop. The best area of the Painted desert is near Flagstaff. A really nice KOA on Rt 89 east side of town at base of the mountain. You can spend a week easy here discovering the desert and Native American ruins. We don't bother going down to Sedona Tourist trap. Make sure to take the short drive thru the Sunset Crater area. The valcano craters are ok BUT the real interest is the amazing Indian ruins all along this drive. Only 75 miles to Grand Canyon.