Arizona is a great state for a road trip. It boasts a wide variety of charming cities and beautiful natural areas. With five days to explore, you can visit several destinations in Arizona and enjoy what this state has to offer.
Go hiking in the Sonoran desert, munch on tacos, visit unique museums, sip on craft coffee, and check off one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world with this five-day Arizona road trip itinerary.
You could easily spend weeks exploring every corner of Arizona, but five days is perfect for getting a good taste of Arizona’s natural and urban magic. Let’s get into how to spend 5 days in Arizona!
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5 Days in Arizona: A Scenic Southwestern Road Trip
- Tucson
- Saguaro National Park
- Phoenix & Scottsdale
- Phoenix to Grand Canyon
- Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 1: Tucson
Start your Arizona road trip off in one of the best cities in the state, Tucson! Day one is all about exploring the city, trying the local restaurants, and enjoying local hikes. Catalina State Park is a must visit. Plan a visit to the botanical gardens, take a walking food tour, and admire the architecture of San Xavier Del Bac Mission.
Where to Stay in Tucson:
voco The Tuxon by IHG | Check Availability
Best Activities:
Hiking in Catalina State Park, going on a local food tour, visiting San Xavier Del Bac Mission, and wandering through the Tucson Botanical Gardens.
Learn more about this Arizona city in my ultimate Tucson itinerary.
Day 2: Saguaro National Park
One of the most underrated national parks in the US is located in Tucson, Arizona. Saguaro National Park bookends Tucson as it’s split into two sections, East and West. I recommend heading to the West area for the best hikes. The Sonoran desert views are jaw-dropping in Saguaro; this is an unbelievably beautiful part of the United States.
Where to Stay in Saguaro National Park:
voco The Tuxon by IHG | Check Availability – Tucson is about a 30 minute drive from the park.
Best Activities:
Visit Red Hills Visitor Center, hike Signal Hill and Cactus Wren trails, go to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, catch sunset at Valley View Overlook.
Day 3: Phoenix & Scottsdale
It would be a great shame to visit Arizona and not hit the capital. Phoenix is a must-visit destination; enjoy scenic desert hikes, an incredible dining scene, unbeatable museums, and a charming neighbor in Scottsdale.
Having one full day to explore Phoenix and Scottsdale will allow you to enjoy the best of these two cities. As you’ll have a car on this Arizona road trip, getting around the Phoenix area will be easy. Plan on hiking, but use your time in Phoenix to also recharge, try all the yummy local restaurants, and slow down to enjoy the desert views.
Where to Stay in Phoenix:
RISE Uptown | Check Availability
Best Activities:
Breakfast at Jobot Coffee, hiking at Phoenix Mountains Preserve or South Mountain Park, visiting Taliesen West, getting lunch at Tacos Veganos, and exploring Old Town Scottsdale before dinner.
Learn more about visiting these two cities in the ultimate Phoenix itinerary.
Day 4: Phoenix to Grand Canyon National Park
Spend the morning of day four enjoying breakfast in either Phoenix or Scottsdale. If you’re feeling like adding in another activity, go for a quick morning hike at Papago Park, or opt for an indoor activity like Wonderspaces Arizona, an interactive art museum in Scottsdale.
The drive from Phoenix to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is about 3 hours and 45 minutes. If you choose to hike in Phoenix and then head to the Grand Canyon, you’ll likely arrive around dinner time. I recommend eating in Grand Canyon Village at Yavapai Tavern (closes at 9 pm).
You can stay in a lodge close to lots of trails on the South Rim, or opt for the full adventure and camp at Mather Campground. If you plan to camp at the Grand Canyon, read more about what to bring camping and the best easy camp meals.
Where to Stay in Phoenix:
- RISE Uptown in Phoenix | Check Availability
- The Squire at Grand Canyon by IHG | Check Availability
Best Activities:
Breakfast at Vovomeena, hiking at Papago Park (Double Butte Trail), visiting Wonderspaces Arizona, and enjoying the scenic drive to Grand Canyon.
Day 5: Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
The most famous destination in Arizona is undoubtedly the Grand Canyon. While it would be impossible to see it all in just a day or two, you can easily tackle a portion of the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on your Arizona road trip.
Plan to stay in Grand Canyon Village as this is where you can find the best lodges and restaurants close to the park. You can also opt to camp at the Grand Canyon at Mather Campground, the South Rim’s best campground.
There is no shortage of stunning views, scenic drives, and rewarding hiking trails in Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim. Below are some of the best things to do in Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim.
Best Hikes & Scenic Drives:
- South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point: 1.8 miles, moderate difficulty
- Desert View Scenic Drive: Hwy 64, about 52 miles
- The Rim Trail: 1.5 miles, easy difficulty
- Havasupai Gardens Campground via Bright Angel: 4.5 miles, moderate difficulty
- Yavapai Point via Rim Trail: 1.7 miles, easy difficulty
Where to Stay in Grand Canyon National Park:
- The Squire at Grand Canyon by IHG | Check Availability
- Under Canvas Grand Canyon | Safari tent resort – Check Availability
- Mather Campground | Reserve a Site
There is also lodging available inside the park, as well as shuttles. Learn more about these services through the NPS.
NOTE: If you are flying into Phoenix, I recommend reversing this itinerary. Once you arrive and get your rental car, head straight to Grand Canyon National Park. On day 2, spend the first half of the day in the park and then head to Phoenix for dinner.
What to Bring on an Arizona Road Trip
For your Arizona road trip, bring the following essentials to help make the most of your time in this gorgeous state. As this is an outdoorsy itinerary, packing the right hiking gear is a must.
- Reusable Water Bottle: A reusable water bottle is beneficial not only on all hiking trails but also in the car when driving between road trip stops.
- Hiking Snacks: Snacks are a must for driving and hiking. I recommend packing or buying some energy snacks like these hiking gummies by GU, or granola bars and trail mix.
- Sun Protection: Pack both sunscreen (my top pick for sunscreen) and a sunshirt as hiking in Arizona means little to no shade no matter the time of year.
- Day Backpack: A small hiking backpack will be best for keeping your hiking gear organized.
- Hiking Boots: As this is an outdoorsy Arizona road trip, your packing list would be incomplete without hiking boots or trail runners. A pair of tennis shoes with great traction will do too.
- Athletic Pants: For driving and hiking, pack either leggings, joggers, hiking pants, or shorts depending on the weather. Or better yet, a pair of convertible hiking pants.
Read more about what to bring on a day hike and prepare for your epic Arizona road trip!
FAQ: Arizona Road Trip
How far is Tucson from Phoenix?
Tucson is about an hour and a half drive from Phoenix. It is a pretty drive, and if you manage to avoid traffic, it’s not a bad drive at all. Because of their proximity to each other, Tucson and Phoenix are both must-visit destinations.
What is a good month to go to Arizona?
The best time to visit Arizona is anywhere between September and May. Early fall and late spring can often be warmer than expected. Winter can get cold depending on where you visit in Arizona. Ultimately, October, November, February, and March are the best months to go to Arizona, especially if you plan on hiking.
In Conclusion: 5 Days in Arizona
With five days in Arizona, you can enjoy some of the state’s best cities and most scenic locations. With stops in Tucson, Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, and Saguaro National Park, this Arizona itinerary is perfect for those who want to explore a variety of places.
Hike some of the most beautiful trails in the United States, eat your way through the cities, and visit unique museums like the Museum of Musical Instruments in Phoenix. Arizona is a seriously underrated state with so much to offer, it’s just waiting for you to road trip through!
Save this 5 days in Arizona road trip for your own Southwestern adventure, or send it to a friend who would love an outdoorsy, hiking-heavy urban getaway.
