Kanab to Scottsdale Road Trip Guide: Epic Landscape Drive

Highway 89 south out of Kanab passes the historic Paria Movie Set, where Westerns were filmed in the 1950s. This route shadows the Paria River before crossing into Arizona at mile marker 0 on US-89A.

The 450-mile journey to Scottsdale typically takes 6.5 to 7.5 hours of driving, but planned stops can stretch it to a rewarding two-day exploration. The elevation drops from 4,970 feet in Kanab to 1,270 feet in Scottsdale, altering climate and vegetation dramatically.

US-89A is a two-lane highway with limited services between Kanab and Page. Gas up in Kanab—the next reliable station is in Page, 78 miles south.

From Page, head south on US-89, then US-89A toward Flagstaff. This section climbs through the Echo Cliffs and offers wide shoulders. Fuel is available at Cameron Trading Post (mile 265) and in Flagstaff.

Cell service is spotty between Kanab and Page; download offline maps. The route is well-paved, but watch for livestock on the open range near the Navajo Nation. Winter storms can close US-89A at the Gap temporarily.

• Total distance: 450 miles via US-89, US-89A, I-17, and AZ-101.
• Driving time: 6.5 hours non-stop, 8-10 hours with stops.
• Key fuel stops: Kanab, Page, Flagstaff.
• Road quality: Good overall, with some rough patches near the Gap.

Summer temperatures exceed 100°F from Page south. Carry 1 gallon of water per person. Rest areas are sparse between Kanab and Flagstaff—use Navajo Nation trading posts for breaks. The Gap Trading Post (no official address) has a convenience store and restrooms.

For families, the John Wesley Powell Museum in Page offers interactive exhibits on the Colorado River. The Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course (ages 7+) challenges older children. Pets are allowed at most outdoor stops; carry a leash and waste bags.

Fatigue management: plan stops every 2 hours. The Cameron Trading Post (mile 265) has a full restaurant with Navajo tacos. For a more interesting break, turn off at Wupatki National Monument (just north of Flagstaff) to see ancient Puebloan ruins—a 30-minute loop.

• Best rest stop: Cameron Trading Post (historically operated since 1916).
• Hidden gem: Moqui Cave (US-89 south of Kanab) is a natural candy store with rock shop.
• For pet relief: Coconino National Forest has trailheads off I-17.

The drive crosses three distinct biomes: high desert of the Colorado Plateau, Ponderosa pine forests near Flagstaff, and arid Sonoran Desert south of Camp Verde. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument offers towering red sandstone but requires permits for The Wave lottery.

In Page, the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell provide contrasting blue waters against red rock. Hire a guided tour to Antelope Canyon or visit Horseshoe Bend overlook (US-89 mile 545). Entry fees are $10 per vehicle at Glen Canyon NRA.

Flagstaff's historic Route 66 commercial corridor has local shops selling Navajo rugs and turquoise jewelry. Sample fry bread at a roadside stand on US-89 near Cameron. South of Flagstaff, Sedona's vortex sites are a detour off AZ-179, but add 40 minutes to the trip.

• Vermilion Cliffs: permits required for hiking (recreation.gov).
• Antelope Canyon: guided tours $45-$80 per person.
• Flagstaff's Museum of Northern Arizona: $12 adult admission.