How to Get to Flagstaff, Arizona

This is the route most visitors take, and it's one of the most scenic interstate drives in the country. I-17 runs 145 miles from central Phoenix to Flagstaff, climbing from the Sonoran Desert floor at 1,100 feet through high desert grasslands, past red rock formations near Sedona, and into dense ponderosa pine forests at 7,000 feet. The transformation happens in under two hours — you'll go from saguaro cactus to pine trees without leaving the interstate.

Route Details

Distance: 145 miles from downtown Phoenix. Drive time: 2 hours in light traffic, 2.5–3 hours during Friday afternoon northbound traffic (Phoenix residents fleeing the heat is a real phenomenon from May through September). Fuel: Gas stations at Black Canyon City (mile 248), Camp Verde (mile 287), and multiple stations as you approach Flagstaff.

Driving Tips for I-17

• Friday afternoon traffic: Northbound I-17 is notoriously congested from 2–7 PM on Fridays, especially in summer. If possible, leave Phoenix before noon or after 7 PM.
• Steep grades: The stretch between Camp Verde and Flagstaff has sustained 6% grades. Watch your engine temperature if you're in an older vehicle or towing anything. Use lower gears on the descent if you're heading southbound.
• Winter conditions: From November through March, I-17 north of Camp Verde can have ice and snow. ADOT occasionally closes the highway during heavy storms. Check az511.gov for real-time road conditions before you leave. Carry chains or have all-wheel drive during winter months.
• Construction: I-17 has been undergoing widening projects between Anthem and Black Canyon City. Expect slowdowns and lane shifts through this zone — add 20–30 minutes to your estimate.

Scenic Detour: Via Sedona

If you have an extra hour, exit I-17 at Camp Verde (exit 287) and take AZ-260 west to AZ-179 north through the Village of Oak Creek and into Sedona. From Sedona, take AZ-89A north through Oak Creek Canyon — one of the most beautiful drives in Arizona — and up to Flagstaff. This adds about 45 minutes to the drive but is worth it, especially during fall color season (late September through mid-October). See our Sedona day trip guide for stops along the way.

The Las Vegas to Flagstaff drive crosses some of the most dramatic landscape in the American West — across the Hoover Dam bypass, through the empty Mojave Desert fringe, past Kingman, and along I-40 through the high desert into ponderosa country.

Distance: 250 miles. Drive time: 3.5–4 hours. Route: US-93 south from Las Vegas to I-40 east at Kingman, then I-40 east to Flagstaff. The highway is well-maintained and mostly two lanes (US-93) widening to interstate (I-40). Gas up before leaving Kingman — there's a 100-mile stretch of I-40 between Kingman and Williams with limited services.

Alternate Route via Grand Canyon: For a memorable arrival, take US-93 south to I-40 east to Williams, then AZ-64 north to the Grand Canyon South Rim. Spend a few hours at the canyon, then drive US-180 south to Flagstaff. This adds 2–3 hours but lets you hit the Grand Canyon on arrival day. See our Grand Canyon day trip guide for timing tips.

The I-40 westbound drive from Albuquerque to Flagstaff traces the historic Route 66 corridor across New Mexico and Arizona. It's a long, straight drive through high desert and Navajo Nation lands with some genuinely striking scenery — the Painted Desert east of Holbrook, the Petrified Forest (worth a stop), and the gradual transition from red sandstone to pine forests approaching Flagstaff.

Distance: 320 miles. Drive time: 4.5–5 hours. Route: I-40 west the entire way. Services are available at Grants (mile 85), Gallup (mile 138), Holbrook (mile 285), and Winslow (mile 252). The stretch through the Navajo Nation between Gallup and Holbrook has limited cell service and few services — fuel up before this section.

Worth a Stop: Petrified Forest National Park straddles I-40 near Holbrook (exit 311). The park's 28-mile scenic drive takes 1.5–2 hours and includes ancient petrified wood, Painted Desert overlooks, and Pueblo ruins. Entrance: $30/vehicle. It's one of the most underrated national parks in Arizona.

Flagstaff has its own airport — Pulliam Airport (FLG) — located 5 miles south of downtown. It's a small regional airport with a single runway, a compact terminal, and limited but convenient service.

Airlines: American Airlines operates daily flights from Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW). Flight times are short — 45 minutes from PHX, about 2.5 hours from DFW. Schedules and availability vary seasonally, with more frequent service during summer peak season.

Pros: You're 10 minutes from downtown, rental car pickup is at the terminal, and you skip the 2-hour Phoenix drive entirely. No crowds, no long walks through terminals — it's one of the easiest airport experiences in Arizona.

Cons: Flight options are extremely limited. Fares are typically $50–150 more than flying into Phoenix. Flights are on small regional jets and can be canceled due to weather (Flagstaff sits at 7,000 feet and gets significant snow in winter). If your flight is canceled, your backup is a 2-hour drive from Phoenix.

Best for: Travelers coming from Dallas/Fort Worth or connecting through Phoenix who value convenience and don't mind paying a premium. If your travel dates are flexible, check FLG first — sometimes the fares are competitive with PHX plus a rental car and gas.

For most travelers, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the practical choice. It's the largest airport in Arizona with direct flights from most major U.S. cities and international connections. The downside: it's 2 hours south of Flagstaff.

Flights: PHX has direct service from 100+ domestic destinations on American, Southwest, Delta, United, Frontier, Spirit, and others. International flights connect through major hubs. Fares to PHX are typically $100–300 cheaper than FLG, depending on your origin city.

PHX to Flagstaff: Your Options

• Rental car (recommended): Pick up at PHX terminals and drive I-17 north. Budget $40–80/day for a mid-size rental. You'll need a car in Flagstaff anyway, so this is the most practical option. All major rental agencies are on-site.
• Groome Transportation shuttle: A shared shuttle service running multiple daily trips between PHX and Flagstaff. About $55 one-way, 2.5–3 hours depending on stops. Picks up at all PHX terminals and drops off at select Flagstaff locations. Book in advance online.
• Private car service: Various private shuttle and car services run the PHX-Flagstaff route. Expect $200–300 for a private vehicle. Useful for groups of 3–4 where splitting the cost makes it comparable to a shuttle.

Our recommendation: Fly into PHX, rent a car, and drive. The I-17 drive is genuinely enjoyable (it's one of the best interstate drives in the U.S.), you'll need a car for day trips and trailheads, and the cost difference in airfare usually more than covers the rental. See our Flagstaff hotel guide for where to stay when you arrive.

Amtrak's Southwest Chief is a daily long-distance train running between Los Angeles and Chicago, and Flagstaff is one of its stops. The Flagstaff station (1 E. Route 66) is right in the heart of downtown, within walking distance of hotels, restaurants, and Heritage Square.

Westbound (from Chicago/Kansas City/Albuquerque): Train #3 typically arrives in Flagstaff between 9:00 and 10:30 PM. Eastbound (from Los Angeles): Train #4 arrives between 4:30 and 5:30 AM. These times are approximate — Amtrak's long-distance trains run notoriously late, sometimes by hours. Don't plan tight connections.

Who Should Take the Train

The Southwest Chief is ideal for travelers who value the journey itself. The route passes through some of the most scenic landscapes in the Southwest — the Mojave Desert, the Colorado River valley, northern New Mexico's high mesas, and the approach to Flagstaff through ponderosa forests. A roomette from Los Angeles to Flagstaff (about 11 hours, overnight) runs $150–300. Coach seats start around $80–120.

Practical considerations: The arrival times are inconvenient (middle of the night or early morning). You'll need to arrange a car rental separately — Enterprise and Hertz have locations in town that can deliver to your hotel. Amtrak delays are common, so don't count on arriving at a specific time. That said, rolling into downtown Flagstaff by train on Route 66 is a genuinely memorable experience.

A rental car is the most important logistical decision for your Flagstaff trip. You will need one for day trips, trailheads, and most attractions outside of downtown.

Where to Rent

• Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG): Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, and Budget have counters at the terminal. Pickup is simple and fast — walk out of the terminal and the rental lot is steps away.
• Downtown/In-Town Locations: Enterprise has a location on South Milton Road. Useful if you arrive by Amtrak or shuttle and need next-day pickup.
• Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX): All major agencies. The widest selection and typically the best rates. Pick up on arrival and drive north.

What to Rent

A standard sedan handles every paved road in the area, including I-17 to the Grand Canyon and AZ-89A through Oak Creek Canyon. For forest roads to remote trailheads (like some mountain biking areas), an SUV or crossover with decent clearance is helpful but not essential. In winter (November–March), AWD or 4WD provides meaningful safety advantages on icy and snow-packed roads.

Rates: Expect $40–80/day for a mid-size car at PHX, $50–100/day at FLG. Summer rates spike — book 2–4 weeks ahead for the best prices. Check Costco Travel and AutoSlash for competitive rates.

The bottom line: rent a car. Downtown is walkable for dining and entertainment, but everything else — the Grand Canyon, Sedona, hiking trailheads, Meteor Crater, Walnut Canyon, Snowbowl — requires wheels. If you're flying into PHX, rent there and drive up. If you arrive by train, arrange a rental for the next morning.