Motorcycle Ride from Phoenix to Sedona: Route 89A

Apr 15, 2026

Most riders take I-17 north to Sedona and don't think twice about it. Route 89A is a completely different ride, running a loop through Wickenburg, Prescott, and Jerome that takes you from the desert floor up to 7,800 feet over Mingus Mountain, through a former copper mining town on the side of a cliff, and down through Oak Creek Canyon before you're anywhere near Sedona. It's a bigger commitment, but it's also the version of this ride that people end up wanting to do again.

How Far is the Motorcycle Ride from Phoenix to Sedona?

The direct route on I-17 runs about 115 miles and takes roughly two hours, while the scenic loop on Route 89A through Wickenburg, Prescott, and Jerome is closer to 200 miles and takes a full day once you add in stops.

• Direct route (I-17 to SR-89A): 115 miles, 2 hours of riding, mostly interstate with a two-lane finish into town
• Scenic loop via Route 89A: 200 miles, 4 hours of riding (or 8 to 9 hours total with fuel, food, and time in Jerome and Prescott added on)

What’s the Best Route from Phoenix to Sedona by Motorcycle?

We'd take the scenic loop on Route 89A every time. The direct route on I-17 is almost entirely highway, and while it's quick, you don't hit any of the roads that make this part of Arizona worth riding through. The loop puts you on mountain roads through Mingus Mountain, takes you through Jerome, and brings you into Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon, which is a completely different experience than merging off an interstate exit.

Direct Route via I-17

ROUTE MAP

• Distance: 116 miles
• Ride time: 2 hours
• Road: Interstate with a two-lane finish via SR-179 or SR-89A into Sedona
• Best for: Quick trips, or riders who aren't ready for mountain roads yet
• Stop: Sunset Point Rest Area at milepost 252 on I-17 has an overlook of the Bradshaw Mountains that's one of the better highway pull-offs in the state

Scenic Loop via Route 89A

ROUTE MAP

• Distance: 187 miles
• Ride time: 4 hours before stops
• Road: Desert two-lane, then mountain roads, then a canyon run into Sedona
• Best for: Intermediate riders who want a full day of different terrain
• Stops: Wickenburg (fuel), Prescott (fuel, Whiskey Row), Jerome (The Spirit Room, overlooks), Slide Rock State Park (optional), Oak Creek Canyon

TIP: There's a 20 to 30 degree temperature difference between Phoenix and the mountain sections, even in spring. Pack a jacket and leave early enough to give yourself the full day without rushing.

Route 89A Motorcycle Ride, Segment by Segment

The best way to break down this Phoenix to Sedona motorcycle day trip is by going through it the way you'll actually ride it, starting with the flat desert run to Wickenburg and ending with the canyon drop into Sedona.

Segment 1: Phoenix to Wickenburg

The first 60 miles out of Phoenix on US-60 to Wickenburg are flat and easy, and the only thing you really need to know about this section is that Wickenburg is your last fuel stop before Prescott. The next gas is about 60 miles north on AZ-89, and there's nothing between the two towns, so fill up before you head into the Weaver Mountains.

Segment 2: Prescott Motorcycle Route

From Wickenburg, AZ-89 heads north through the Weaver Mountains. You'll gain about 3,400 feet over 60 miles, and the temperature drops enough along the way that you'll want a jacket by Prescott.

What the road is like:

• The road is well-maintained and the turns are manageable, nothing that's going to catch you off guard if you're comfortable on a two-lane
• Pavement's in good shape and weekday traffic is usually light
• The landscape goes from desert to grassland to ponderosa pine forest as you gain elevation
• You'll go from about 2,000 feet in Wickenburg to about 5,400 feet in Prescott

Prescott

Prescott is the last town with full services before Mingus Mountain, and Courthouse Plaza and Whiskey Row are right off the route.

• Whiskey Row's storefronts date back to the late 1800s and it's one of the oldest commercial streets in Arizona
• Courthouse Plaza has local restaurants and shops instead of chains
• The town sits at about 5,400 feet, so it's noticeably cooler than Phoenix year-round

TIP: Get fuel in Prescott if you're below half a tank. There's nothing between here and the Verde Valley on the far side of Mingus Mountain. You’ll be riding for about 35 miles with no gas stations around.

Segment 3: Jerome, Arizona Motorcycle Ride

From Prescott, AZ-89A goes over Mingus Mountain with about 2,400 feet of elevation gain to a summit just above 7,800 feet. It's the most demanding section of the loop.

What’s the ride through Jerome Arizona like on a motorcycle?

The road is tight the whole way up and down, and it's the kind of riding that requires your full attention.

• Tight turns on both sides of the summit with blind corners
• Grades that'll keep you in second and third gear for extended sections
• Limited visibility around a lot of the corners, so you need to be comfortable riding at a pace where you can react to what you can't see
• Once you're past the summit heading toward Jerome, you can see across the Verde Valley all the way to Sedona on a clear day

Jerome

Jerome sits at about 5,200 feet on Cleopatra Hill. It was one of Arizona's biggest copper mining towns in the late 1800s, went nearly empty by the mid-1900s, and has come back as a small community of artists, musicians, and a few hundred full-time residents.

• Streets are steep and narrow with views of the Verde Valley from almost every spot
• Parking is limited and on steep ground, so pick your spot carefully
• The town has galleries, local shops, and a handful of bars and restaurants along Main Street

The Spirit Room

If you only make one stop in Jerome, make it The Spirit Room on Main Street.

• Live music on weekends, cold drinks the rest of the time
• The crowd is usually some mix of riders, locals, and tourists
• Give yourself at least 30 minutes in Jerome, more if you want to walk around town

Segment 4: Oak Creek Canyon Motorcycle Ride

After Jerome, AZ-89A goes through Clarkdale and Cottonwood in the Verde Valley before dropping into Oak Creek Canyon for the last 25 miles into Sedona. The Verde Valley section is flat and gives you a break after the mountain, but once you're in Oak Creek Canyon the turns pick back up and the road stays steep through most of the run into Sedona.

Weekend Traffic

Oak Creek Canyon is a two-lane road with almost no passing zones. On Saturdays from about 10 a.m. on, it fills with tour buses, rental cars, and day-trippers from Flagstaff, and once you're behind them there's no way around.

• Weekends: Leave Phoenix early enough to reach Oak Creek Canyon before mid-morning. If you're past Mingus Mountain by 10 a.m., you should be fine.
• Weekdays: Traffic drops off a lot and the ride feels completely different.

Optional Detour: Slide Rock State Park

Before you get into Sedona, Slide Rock State Park is about six miles out on AZ-89A. It's built around a natural 80-foot rock water slide on Oak Creek and has been named one of the top 10 swimming holes in the country. If you've got time and want to break up the canyon ride, it's a good stop.

• Entry fee: $20 to $30 per vehicle depending on the day
• Hours: Opens at 8 a.m. spring through fall
• Keep in mind: The lot fills early on spring weekends and they turn people away at capacity, so a weekday visit or early arrival is the way to go

Arriving in Sedona

Once you're through Oak Creek Canyon, AZ-89A crosses Midgley Bridge and puts you right into Sedona. If you've still got energy left in the day, there's plenty to do from here:

• Spend the afternoon in Sedona or ride the overlooks along Red Rock Loop Road
• Head back to Phoenix on I-17, about 115 miles south
• Keep going north to Flagstaff (30 miles) or the Grand Canyon (118 miles)
• Best Motorcycle Rides near Phoenix - Part 1
• Best Motorcycle Rides near Phoenix - Part 2

Phoenix to Sedona Scenic Motorcycle Route (FAQ)

Once you've got the route mapped out, there are a few common questions that come up before riders actually head out.

Is Route 89A good for motorcycles?

Yes, and it's one of the most well-known motorcycle roads in Arizona. The road between Prescott and Sedona takes you over Mingus Mountain, through the Verde Valley, and down Oak Creek Canyon, with well-maintained pavement the whole way. Just plan around weekend traffic in Oak Creek Canyon.

Is the Phoenix to Sedona ride good for beginners?

I-17 works for newer riders who are comfortable on the highway since the road is straightforward and the finish into Sedona is easy to handle at a moderate pace. The Route 89A loop is best for intermediate riders since Mingus Mountain, Jerome, and Oak Creek Canyon all have sections that require confidence with slow-speed cornering and limited visibility.

How long does it take to ride from Phoenix to Sedona?

I-17 takes about two hours, while the Route 89A loop runs four hours of actual riding and closer to eight hours once you factor in fuel and stops in Prescott and Jerome.

What stops should I make between Phoenix and Sedona?

On the Route 89A loop, the four main stops are Wickenburg (fuel), Prescott (fuel and Whiskey Row), Jerome (The Spirit Room and the overlooks), and Slide Rock State Park if you've got time. If you're on I-17, Sunset Point Rest Area at milepost 252 and Montezuma Castle National Monument near Camp Verde are both easy stops along the way.

Rent a Motorcycle in Phoenix and Ride to Sedona

Riders Share has 140+ motorcycles available in Phoenix with a near 5-star rating across the board, and daily rates start at $24. Find the right bike for the Route 89A loop, book it, and ride. You're renting from local owners who know these roads, so don't hesitate to ask them about the route before you head out.

Book a Guided Phoenix Motorcycle Tour on Riders Share

Don't want to plan the route yourself? Local riders on Riders Share host guided motorcycle tours out of Phoenix that cover routes like the 89A loop through Prescott and Jerome, with the timing, stops, and fuel planning already figured out for you. Check out what's available and book a tour for your next trip.