update on road conditions around Sedona

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

Highway 179 is still under construction. Traffic tie ups usually occur between I-17 to the Hilton and just beyond it at Jacks Canyon Rd., as well as between the Village of Oak Creek and the Y intersection, but the traffic controls are in place to "help" clear up these tie ups. Traffic controls can be either a working traffic light or some worker trying to signal the flow. Generally on weekends, the traffic is heavier and can be a bit tedious.

As to the widening of the highway from I-17 to the Y intersection, the road improvement is beginning to be visible. There are footprints cleared for the widening, there are curves re-aligned and there are several intersections where the roundabouts are beginning to take shape thru the widening and laying of asphalt.

The concrete barriers are still in place, and some business access in the Village of Oak Creek is difficult to locate.

There is construction going on around Bell Rock and Back o' Beyond which can bog things down a bit as well. They are also relocating telephone poles and utilities from Chapel Road to the Y intersection (that is the intersection of Hwy 179 to Hwy 89A) which can cause a delay or two depending on your timing.

All in all, the worst part of the traffic control seems to have improved some, but on the weekends it might be slower or jammed up depending on how many visitors are trying to come into Sedona thru the exit off I-17.

I still maintain that if you want to reduce your risk of being stuck in a traffic jam, and you are not staying at the Sunterra's Ridge or the Hilton in the Village of Oak Creek, you are better served by taking Hwy 260, exit 286 off I-17, that is the Camp Verde and Cottonwood exit.

Take 260 North toward Cottonwood, it meets the intersection of Hwy 89A, near the Home Depot...turn right, follow the highway straight into West Sedona....the views are lovely during the day... and if you are driving into Sedona at night, you will avoid the concrete barriers and other "surprises" of an unfamiliar narrow and winding Hwy 179.

Hwy 260 into Sedona is a relatively straight run on a 4 lane divided highway, as opposed to the two lane twisted road of Hwy 179.

If you are coming to Sedona for your first time, and are unfamiliar with the terrain, taking Hwy 260 might save you some white knuckle driving.

Once in Sedona, if you need to drive south on Hwy 179 to get to the Village of Oak Creek, to Bell Rock for a hike, or to shop in the VOC area, you will be able to get back and forth, just know that there is possibility of traffic delay.

Also, if you plan to golf at Canyon Mesa or Oak Creek Country Club or Sedona Golf Resort .... they are all in the Village of Oak Creek, and you will just have to deal with the construction. Canyon Mesa golf course, a nine hole executive, is off Hwy 179....and the bad news there is that Jacks Canyon Rd. is also being torn up....a real mess! If you golf at Canyon Mesa, there will be some delays and dust!

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

I just returned from Sedona on Sunday and katiemack is correct about the construction. I will say, however; that we did not run into too many traffic jams. It seems as though they sometimes may be working at night. We did a sunset tour of the Grand Canyon and came back at night on 179 and did run into a problem near the Tlaquepaque area. This was at 10:30 at night. Several times we did see construction workers during the day, but not everyday.

Traveling on 179 is like going on the yellow brick road and seeing Oz. When those red rocks appear; it is a beautiful sight!!!!

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

Thanks for adding this report jericap. I am glad you found the delays few and far between...and yes, the views are terrific aren't they?

Where were you staying?

Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that there is construction also at night around the Tlaquepaque area, in an effort to minimize problems they do work there at night; however, they do not work at night in the Village of Oak Creek or around Chapel Rd and Back o' Beyond, at least not yet from what we have seen.

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

We stayed at Villas of Sedona, off 89a, very nice and quiet, but close to restaurants and grocery stores and not too far from uptown.

We did go into or through Oak Creek village a few times and also went to the outlets, but only encountered the cement barriers and construction cones.

We ran into construction workers (figuratively speaking) twice during the day near the Church of the Holy Cross on 179, but not much traffic associated with it. I imagine, depending on the amount of visitors, you could sit in traffic awhile, but we didn't encounter that much at all.

We have decided that we will return there every other year..it is a beautiful location!

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

We stayed at Villas of Sedona, off 89a, very nice and quiet, but close to restaurants and grocery stores and not too far from uptown.

Yes, it is a convenient location....did you enjoy the new improved villas?

We did go into or through Oak Creek village a few times and also went to the outlets, but only encountered the cement barriers and construction cones.

That would mean that you went south along Hwy 179, heading out of Sedona, past Chapel Rd. and just short of the Jacks Canyon traffic intersection (where one of the roundabouts is being constructed.) At Jacks Canyon and about 1 mile south of that there is the rest of the major work being done, road widening, another traffic roundabout (at the Hilton).

We ran into construction workers (figuratively speaking) twice during the day near the Church of the Holy Cross on 179, but not much traffic associated with it. I imagine, depending on the amount of visitors, you could sit in traffic awhile, but we didn't encounter that much at all.

We have decided that we will return there every other year..it is a beautiful location!

Yes, at Chapel Rd they are widening the road and just south of that is the Back o' Beyond construction for that roundabout. I am glad you found little delay in your travels, and I suspect it is partly because of this being a slow time of year for tourists to visit and also because the bulk of the incoming traffic comes on weekends (many Phoenicians come up to Sedona for the weekend to cool off.) Also, I think there have been so many problems a lot of the locals are just making fewer trips along the roads. And the workers are doing a more diligent job of trying to keep delays to a minimum.

Sounds like a great plan for you to come back every other year....it sure is a pretty spot! Sorry I missed you on this trip....I hope we can connect next time around.

[JEFF H Member Find all posts View Profile Close JEFF H]

We didn't experience any delays on Hwy 179 a couple weeks ago.
The construction zone is congested and the traffic is slow moving at times.

I don't know of any white knuckle driving on Hwy 179?
89A to Flagstaff could carry that term for the Hairpin turns and cliff drop-offs.

I would still recommend you take Hwy 179 coming into Sedona because the views driving into Sedona are breath taking. This first introduction experience to Sedona should not be missed for first timers. We goto Sedona all the time and everyone in the family thumb down the suggestion to take Hwy 260 instead.
Returning to Phoenix From Fairfield Sedona I took HWY 260 and didn't feel we saved any time and the miles were slightly higher.

[JEFF H Member Find all posts View Profile Close JEFF H]

Another reason to take Hyw 179 to Sedona.
If your driving to Sedona from The Phoenix area On I-17 and have a few hours befor Check-in I recommend you stop at Montezuma Castle National Monumnet and then continue to the montezuma well.
Both of these parks are off of I-17 between the exits for Hyw 260 & Hyw 179

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

I still maintain that if you want to reduce your risk of being stuck in a traffic jam, and you are not staying at the Sunterra's Ridge or the Hilton in the Village of Oak Creek, you are better served by taking Hwy 260, exit 286 off I-17, that is the Camp Verde and Cottonwood exit.

....the views are lovely during the day... and if you are driving into Sedona at night, you will avoid the concrete barriers and other "surprises" of an unfamiliar narrow and winding Hwy 179.

Hwy 260 into Sedona is a relatively straight run on a 4 lane divided highway, as opposed to the two lane twisted road of Hwy 179.

If you are coming to Sedona for your first time, and are unfamiliar with the terrain, taking Hwy 260 might save you some white knuckle driving.

We didn't experience any delays on Hwy 179 a couple weeks ago.
The construction zone is congested and the traffic is slow moving at times.

I don't know of any white knuckle driving on Hwy 179?
89A to Flagstaff could carry that term for the Hairpin turns and cliff drop-offs.

I would still recommend you take Hwy 179 coming into Sedona because the views driving into Sedona are breath taking. This first introduction experience to Sedona should not be missed for first timers. We goto Sedona all the time and everyone in the family thumb down the suggestion to take Hwy 260 instead.
Returning to Phoenix From Fairfield Sedona I took HWY 260 and didn't feel we saved any time and the miles were slightly higher.

I guess my wording went by you. I did say that there are also lovely views of Sedona driving into Sedona along Hwy 260...and there are.

As for white knuckle driving ... I am definitely referring to folks unfamiliar to the road in Sedona, an experienced visitor "who goes to Sedona all the time" would not find the road all that challenging, and I agree, the drive to Flagstaff is more challenging and deserving of the term...

If someone is driving into Sedona at night, you cannot see the view....and if a first time visitor is coming into Sedona late or in the dark, why face and deal with unexpected road hazards if you can avoid it...but it is truly the driver's choice...I will continue to keep folks apprised of the current and yet ever-changing conditions around the area.

As for saving time or miles along 260, you are right, it is a bit longer in miles, I did forget to mention that, so thanks for adding that. On the other hand, if you do happen to be stuck in a long line of traffic below the Hilton, I don't know how much time you are saving ... or gas when waiting for the delay to clear.


As with any construction project, there is a certain amount of unpredictability...sometimes the road is relatively less congested with few delays, sometimes there is a snarl....who can predict? But if there are alternative routes, it is nice to know.

Another reason to take Hyw 179 to Sedona.
If your driving to Sedona from The Phoenix area On I-17 and have a few hours befor Check-in I recommend you stop at Montezuma Castle National Monumnet and then continue to the montezuma well.
Both of these parks are off of I-17 between the exits for Hyw 260 & Hyw 179

I agree, both of these are worthwhile spots to visit. And it isn't too far from Sedona, so if you miss them on the way in, you can easily visit them during the week's stay.

[bigeyes1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bigeyes1]

Gosh, I had no idea there were so many constructions going on in Sedona. Do you have any idea when this will be completed?

We plan on going on our first trip to Sedona in Nov., and all this seems a bit mind-boggling. I'm definitely going to get a map and make some remarks on it. Hopefully, we'll arrive in Sedona during daylight. Sure would hate to come across all of this construction at night.

Thanks for the warning and updates. Please keep us informed.

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

Gosh, I had no idea there were so many constructions going on in Sedona. Do you have any idea when this will be completed?

We plan on going on our first trip to Sedona in Nov., and all this seems a bit mind-boggling. I'm definitely going to get a map and make some remarks on it. Hopefully, we'll arrive in Sedona during daylight. Sure would hate to come across all of this construction at night.

Thanks for the warning and updates. Please keep us informed.

Trish, don't be alarmed...the conditions change so frequently that I can barely keep up myself, and I am expecting it to be greatly improved by November. I will try to keep alert to the changes and let folks know what I observe.

The project is going to be in stages....not fully complete until late 2008 is the guess, I think.

In October, please PM me to remind me of your upcoming trip and I will let you know what is "new" around the area.

The first few months were really awful, but in the past month, as I mentioned above, the frequency of delays has slowed some. The most likely time for delays is on the weekend or during holidays....unfortunately many folks arrive for their timeshares on Saturday or Sunday....and that is when it is most likely to be a bit slower or jammed.

I am sure it will be just fine when you get to town. I will keep posting.

[JEFF H Member Find all posts View Profile Close JEFF H]

I wouldn't worry too much about traffic delays on HYW 179.
They are minimal from what I have seen personally and heard from other driving thru the Area.

Updates on Road conditions can also be found on the ADOT website
ADOT Freeway Management System

[bigeyes1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bigeyes1]

Thanks katiemack and Jeff for reassuring me. We live in Texas, so it's not like we don't have major constructions around here. We should be use to it, but when you've never been there, well... that's a different story. My husband absolutely hates driving in a place he doesn't know. I think I'm going to "play dumb" and not tell him about this construction.

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

By November, you won't have to worry about it, I am sure it will be nothing by then....they are making progress, and things will be very different by November....we will all keep you up to date on things!

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

By November, you won't have to worry about it, I am sure it will be nothing by then....they are making progress, and things will be very different by November....we will all keep you up to date on things!

Hi, my wife and I are doing the drive to Sedona from Canyon Villas tomorrow morning (very early though - leaving around 6 am - and then starting back to Canyon Villas around 2pm or so) - has the "by November you wont have to worry about it" sentiment been borne out, these things have a habit of taking at least twice as long as anyone ever thinks, so I just thought I'd check. Any input much appreciated.

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

I'd also love to know what's going on with the road situation since DB and I will be there starting December 8. Any update would be greatly appreciated.

TIA,

Joy