Phoenix to Zion Road Trip

Route map

Start / endStopsHalfway

Phoenix to Zion: the drive

The drive from Phoenix to Zion National Park covers 392 miles (630 km) and takes about 6 hr 45 min without stops, mostly on US-89 and I-17.

It's doable in one day, but with fuel, food and a couple of stops plan on roughly 8 hr 30 min door to door.

We found 12 worthwhile stops within about 25 miles of the route, including Jerome, Montezuma Castle National Monument, Cameron Trading Post and Desert View Watchtower.

Best time to go: April to June and September to November. Summer is hot and crowded; winter is quiet.

Best stops between Phoenix and Zion

1. 1

   Jerome

   Mile 821–2 hrs~63 min round-trip detour

   A former copper boomtown clinging to Cleopatra Hill, now full of galleries and tasting rooms, with sweeping views of the Verde Valley.

   

2. 2

   Montezuma Castle National Monument

   Mile 9345 minOn the route

   A five-story cliff dwelling set high in a limestone wall, viewed from a short, flat loop trail just off I-17.

   

3. 3

   Cameron Trading Post

   Mile 19645 minOn the route

   A historic trading post above the Little Colorado River, known for Navajo tacos and a large Native arts gallery.

4. 4

   Desert View Watchtower

   Mile 20745 min~89 min round-trip detour

   Mary Colter's 1932 stone tower at the east end of the South Rim, and the first viewpoint if you enter from Cameron.

   

5. 5

   Navajo Bridge, Marble Canyon

   Mile 26530 min~19 min round-trip detour

   Walk the historic 1929 bridge 470 feet above the Colorado River and look for California condors roosting underneath.

6. 6

   Horseshoe Bend

   Mile 2741 hrOn the route

   The famous 1,000-foot overlook of a Colorado River meander, reached by an easy 1.5-mile round-trip walk. Paid parking.

   

7. 7

   Antelope Canyon

   Mile 2761.5–2 hrs~25 min round-trip detour

   Sculpted slot canyons on Navajo land, visited only with a licensed tour. Upper is for light beams, Lower for ladders and curves.

   

8. 8

   Glen Canyon Dam & Lake Powell

   Mile 2781 hrOn the route

   The Carl Hayden Visitor Center overlooks the dam and the start of Lake Powell's 1,900 miles of shoreline.

   

9. 9

   Kodachrome Basin State Park

   Mile 3161–2 hrs~81 min round-trip detour

   Tall sandstone chimneys named by National Geographic after the color film, 20 minutes from Bryce.

   

Near Zion

1. 10

   Kanab

   1+ hrsOn the route

   'Little Hollywood': a central base between Zion, Bryce, the Grand Canyon North Rim and Page, and the permit office for The Wave.

   

2. 11

   Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

   1–2 hrs11 mi from the route

   Shifting pink sand dunes between Zion and Kanab, where you can rent sandboards.

   

3. 12

   Kolob Canyons (Zion)

   1 hr21 mi from the route

   Zion's quiet northwest corner, with a 5-mile scenic drive right off I-15 at exit 40 and no shuttle needed.

Where to stay in Springdale

Utah's most visited park: The Narrows, Angels Landing and a canyon floor you reach by shuttle from Springdale. Springdale is the closest town with lodging. Rooms near national parks sell out in peak season, so book early.

Map not loading? See places to stay near Springdale →

Renting a car for this trip

Most travelers fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and pick up a car there. Booking a round trip from the same airport is usually much cheaper than a one-way rental. A mid-size car is fine for all paved roads on this route. You only need an SUV for the optional dirt-road detours.

Trip cost calculator

Estimate gas or charging, hotels and car rental for a round trip from Phoenix to Zion:

Phoenix to Zion road trip FAQ

Route calculated from OpenStreetMap data and checked 2026-11-09. Drive times assume normal traffic and no stops.