Albuquerque to Sedona Road Trip
Journey from Albuquerque to Sedona
- US-550 S / I-40 W / AZ-89A — Albuquerque to Sedona; depart around 7:00 AM for the roughly 7–8-hour drive, including fuel and meal stops. Park at your Sedona lodging on arrival and use the town’s free trolley where practical.
- Old Town Albuquerque — Albuquerque; stop for breakfast or coffee before leaving, with time for a quick Plaza stroll (~45 minutes; ~$10–20 per person).
- El Malpais National Monument — Near Grants; stretch your legs among volcanic formations and lava landscapes (~45–60 minutes; allow extra time if trails are wet).
- Elote Café — Uptown Sedona; enjoy a Southwestern dinner after arrival (~1–1.5 hours; approximately $35–60 per person, reservations strongly recommended).
- Airport Mesa Scenic Overlook — West Sedona; catch sunset over Sedona’s red-rock basin, with limited parking and a short walk (~45 minutes).
- AZ-89A back to Sedona lodging — Sedona; return after sunset, departing around 7:30–8:00 PM and allowing 15–25 minutes depending on lodging location.
Morning — Albuquerque to Sedona
Leave Albuquerque around 7:00 AM, using US-550 S to I-40 W, then AZ-89A into Sedona. It’s roughly a 7–8-hour drive with stops, so fill up before leaving and expect long, open stretches through western New Mexico and northern Arizona. Begin with a quick coffee or breakfast in Old Town Albuquerque—Golden Crown Panadería is a friendly local choice, usually open in the morning, with pastries and breakfast items generally around $10–20 per person—then take about 45 minutes to stroll Old Town Plaza before getting back on the road. Parking around Old Town can be metered or in public lots; arrive early for the easiest access.
Midday — Lava Country
Near Grants, detour to El Malpais National Monument for a 45–60-minute leg stretch among black volcanic flows and rugged lava formations. Stop first at the visitor center if it’s open to check trail and weather conditions; September storms can make some surfaces slick, and there is little shade. The monument itself has no standard entrance fee, though facilities are sparse, so carry water and snacks. From here, continue west on I-40, then take AZ-89A toward Sedona; the final approach is especially scenic as the red-rock cliffs begin to appear.
Evening — Dinner and Sunset
After checking in and leaving the car at your lodging, have dinner at Elote Café in Uptown Sedona, a popular Southwestern restaurant known for regional ingredients and bold flavors. Budget approximately $35–60 per person, and reserve well ahead—walk-ins can be difficult, especially on a busy Monday evening. After dinner, drive to Airport Mesa Scenic Overlook for sunset; parking is limited, and the short walk from the lot is easy, but arrive before the last light rather than at sunset itself. Bring a jacket, as the mesa cools quickly after dark. Around 7:30–8:00 PM, return along AZ-89A to your Sedona lodging, allowing roughly 15–25 minutes depending on where you are staying; avoid stopping in the road or pulling over on narrow shoulders, since the route is busy and poorly lit after sunset.
