Phoenix-Sedona-Grand Canyon March 2007

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

Going to Phoenix-Sedona-Grand Canyon, March 10-17, 2007. Do we need to rent a 4 wheel drive vehicle to drive to and from the Grand Canyon from Sedona?

[urple2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close urple2]

No, the roads are very good to the Grand Canyon from Sedona.

The hardest part of the drive,I thought, is traveling from Sedona thru Flagstaff. That small portion of travel is very winding and steep, but the views are awesome.

Once inside the Grand Canyon, you could use their bus system that will drop you off at different vantage points, then when ready to move on,you jump on the next bus.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

If you are planning to drive in March, you might run into snowy conditions on the drive from Sedona thru Flagstaff to the GC. It would be best to talk with your rental car company to find out if snow tires or 4 wheel drive would be helpful should the conditions exist.

The elevation changes can make a big difference when it comes to driving....and in March, the weather can be highly changeable as elevations change.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

katiemack,

We're going to be in Flagstaff at Christmas and plan to drive to Grand Canyon at that time. Later we will go to Sedona.

Do I need a 4 wheel drive vehicle? I will be flying into Phoenix and renting a car.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

katiemack,

We're going to be in Flagstaff at Christmas and plan to drive to Grand Canyon at that time. Later we will go to Sedona.

Do I need a 4 wheel drive vehicle? I will be flying into Phoenix and renting a car.

The drive from Phoenix to Sedona should be pretty uneventful...unless December brings us an unexpected wintry mix...the two or three big climbs (mountains) that you will deal with on that drive should be fine for an ordinary vehicle.

The drive of Sedona to Flagstaff to Grand Canyon (again, only if we have no wintry conditions)...well, that drive will not require any 4 wheel drive or such...but if we get a December with some teeth in it (that is, precipitation, winds, and various wintry conditions), the roads can become more challenging.

ADOT usually posts conditions on their website.

Our rule of thumb is this: if there is rain in the Sedona area and freezing temps are expected, then Flagstaff will probably have snow. Black ice can be expected in spots on Interstate 17 (north to Flagstaff)...as elevations increase, snow can too, as well as winter blizzard-like patches in certain stretches of the road (like around Munds Park).

While I have no clue how this December will turn out, I will say that December can get cold here... we have had snow in the past, and have also had dry conditions in the past as well....and since the days are shorter, the warm day quickly turns cold once the sun sets. November so far has been very mild, so if it is predicting December, we should have a mild, dry December.

We have a sedan, we avoid driving to higher elevations during wet or wintry conditions in the months of Dec thru Mar. We have witnessed SUV's fly past us in white-out conditions, don't know if they are using 4 wheel drive or not....and later we have passed these same vehicles in a ditch, having slid off the road due to excessive speed for such conditions.

The best advice for anyone planning a trip to GC during the winter is to always check for the conditions expected that day....if advisable, get snow chains or trade the car in for a 4 wheel drive vehicle or rent a one day 4 wheel.

[mshatty Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close mshatty]

Katiemack,

Thanks so much for this information. It is very helpful. I will definitely be checking the weather and road conditions for the Christmas week.