Antelope Canyon is 275 miles from Phoenix by road, about 4.5 hours each way through Flagstaff and Navajo Nation. That puts it in the same bracket as a Las Vegas trip: far enough that the drive matters, close enough to do in a day if needed. Guided day tours from Phoenix run around $454. For most visitors, a two-day self-drive through Sedona is the option worth choosing.
Distance
275 mi · 445 km one way
Drive time
4.5 h each way (no stops)
Guided tour price
from $454 · 14–15 h total
Self-drive (2 days)
~$250–400 incl. hotel
Best detour
Sedona via Oak Creek Canyon
Scottsdale
Same route, 20 min closer
How far is Antelope Canyon from Phoenix?
Antelope Canyon is 275 miles (445 km) from Phoenix by road, roughly 4.5 hours of driving each way via I-17 North through Flagstaff and US-89 North to Page.
The route passes through Flagstaff, Arizona's highest major city at 7,000 feet, then crosses open Navajo Nation desert toward Page. It is a more varied drive than the Las Vegas route, which runs through high desert and Utah border country.
From Scottsdale, add about 20 minutes east of Phoenix. From Tempe or Mesa, the difference is negligible. Both cities use the same Phoenix departure tours.
Can you do Antelope Canyon in one day from Phoenix?
Yes. Guided day tours from Phoenix cover Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in 14 to 15 hours door-to-door, with pickup around 5 or 6 am and return after 8 pm. Self-driving in one day means 9 hours of driving around the tour.
The honest picture: a one-day guided tour gives you about 1 hour inside the canyon and a 45-minute stop at Horseshoe Bend, with the rest of the day on the bus. Tens of thousands of visitors do it every year and consider it worth it. If your schedule allows even one overnight in Page, you get a completely different trip: a morning Horseshoe Bend before the crowds, a rested start for the canyon, and Sedona on the way back.
Guided tours from Phoenix to Antelope Canyon
Guided day tours from Phoenix or Scottsdale visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend for around $454 per person, with hotel pickup included.
Tours from Phoenix are significantly more expensive than from Las Vegas because there are fewer operators competing for the route despite the same distance. A typical day:
- 5:00 to 6:00 am: Hotel pickup in Phoenix or Scottsdale.
- 5:30 to 8:00 am: Drive north through Flagstaff (brief rest stop).
- 8:00 to 11:00 am: Continue north on US-89 across Navajo Nation to Page.
- 11:00 am to 12:30 pm: Antelope Canyon tour (typically Lower Antelope).
- 12:30 to 1:30 pm: Lunch in Page.
- 1:30 to 2:30 pm: Horseshoe Bend stop, about 45 minutes including the walk to the viewpoint.
- 2:30 to 8:00 pm: Return drive to Phoenix.
Most Phoenix day tours visit Lower Antelope Canyon. The timing of a 5 am Phoenix pickup does not align well with Upper Antelope's premium light-beam slots (11 am to 1 pm, when the tour would only be arriving in Page). If Upper Antelope specifically is on your list, self-drive is the right choice.
Small Group Antelope Canyon Day Trip from Phoenix
Full-day small-group tour from Phoenix: Lower Antelope Canyon guided walk, Horseshoe Bend stop, and the 275-mile round trip. Hotel pickup from central Phoenix and Scottsdale. Free cancellation.
Self-drive from Phoenix: the better option
Driving from Phoenix to Antelope Canyon over 2 days is the better option: day 1 through Sedona to Page, day 2 for the canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Cost is roughly $250 to $400 per person for two sharing a rental.
Phoenix is one of the best cities in the US to start a Southwest road trip from: major rental agencies at Sky Harbor Airport, no traffic once you leave the Valley, and a route that passes two of Arizona's most iconic landscapes on the way.
| Option | Total time | Cost (per adult) | Canyon section | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided day tour | 14–15 hours | ~$454 | Usually Lower | No rental needed · groups |
| Self-drive 2 days | ~32 hours total | ~$250–400 incl. hotel | Your choice | Best experience · flexibility |
| Self-drive 1 day | 14–16 hours driving | ~$150+ | Whatever fits | Not recommended |
Tour price from current Viator listing, July 2026. Self-drive figures assume two travellers splitting a rental car.
The standard 2-day self-drive plan:
- Day 1: Leave Phoenix by 8 am. Exit I-17 at AZ-179 for Sedona (about 90 minutes from Phoenix) and spend an hour or two in Red Rock Country. Continue north on US-89A through Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff, then US-89 North to Page. Arrive mid-afternoon. Check in, then walk Horseshoe Bend at golden hour, roughly 5 to 6 pm. Dinner in Page.
- Day 2 morning: Antelope Canyon tour, booked in advance. The 9 am or 10 am slot has fewer crowds; the 11 am slot in Upper Canyon is where the light beams happen (March to October). Done by 1 pm. Lunch in Page, then drive back to Phoenix, arriving by 7 pm.
Total cost for two travellers: roughly $250 to $400 per person including the rental car, one hotel night in Page, fuel, the Antelope Canyon tour, food and the Horseshoe Bend $10 parking fee. That is competitive with the guided tour price for two people, and gives a much better experience.
Compare car rental rates from Phoenix Sky Harbor →
The route and best detours
Phoenix to Page runs I-17 North through Flagstaff (2 hours), then US-89 North through Cameron to Page (2.5 hours). The best detour is Sedona via Oak Creek Canyon, which adds about 30 to 40 minutes and is worth every one of them.
The main route, step by step:
- I-17 North from Phoenix toward Flagstaff, about 2 hours, no toll roads.
- At Flagstaff: take US-89 North directly (not I-40 east). US-89 is a single highway straight to Page.
- US-89 North through Cameron, a Navajo Nation trading post with fuel and a basic diner (the last fuel before Page), then on across the Painted Desert into Page, about 2.5 hours from Flagstaff.
Sedona detour (strongly recommended): Exit I-17 at AZ-179 near Camp Verde, drive north into Sedona through Red Rock Country (about 15 minutes), then continue north on US-89A through Oak Creek Canyon back toward Flagstaff. The canyon section of US-89A is a narrow winding road through orange sandstone walls with a creek at the bottom. It adds 30 to 40 minutes to the total drive and is one of the most scenic roads in Arizona. If you have only 30 minutes in Sedona, the Chapel of the Holy Cross or the Cathedral Rock viewpoint on Chicken Point are the quickest wins.
Grand Canyon South Rim from Flagstaff: Adding the Grand Canyon to the Phoenix to Page drive in one day is not realistic. From Flagstaff, the South Rim is about 80 miles and 1.5 hours each way, which would add 3 to 4 hours to an already long drive. It works as a separate third day if you are building a multi-day Arizona road trip and want to hit Sedona, Grand Canyon, and Antelope Canyon in sequence.
Flagstaff itself: Worth a 30 to 45 minute stop for a meal or coffee if you need a break. The historic Route 66 downtown has proper restaurants, not just highway stops, and the altitude (7,000 feet) means a noticeably cooler temperature than Phoenix in summer.
Where to stay in Page
Most visitors driving from Phoenix stay one night in Page. The Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell is the top-rated option; the Courtyard by Marriott Lake Powell is the main alternative.
Page has a handful of hotels right in town, all within 10 minutes of both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Dining options are limited, so book a table in advance or have a plan before arriving. Full details on accommodation, including current prices:
Hotels in Page, AZ: complete guide with current prices →
Frequently asked questions
How far is Antelope Canyon from Phoenix?
Antelope Canyon (Page, AZ) is 275 miles from Phoenix by road, roughly the same distance as from Las Vegas but in the opposite direction. The drive takes about 4.5 hours each way via I-17 North through Flagstaff and US-89 North to Page. From Scottsdale, add about 20 minutes.
Can you do Antelope Canyon as a day trip from Phoenix?
Yes, but it is a long day. Guided day tours from Phoenix do Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in roughly 14 to 15 hours door-to-door, with pickup around 5 or 6 am and return after 8 pm. Self-driving in one day is possible but means 9 hours of driving around the canyon tour. Two days with one overnight in Page gives a far better experience.
What is the best route from Phoenix to Antelope Canyon?
Take I-17 North from Phoenix to Flagstaff (about 2 hours), then US-89 North from Flagstaff through Cameron and across Navajo Nation to Page (about 2.5 hours). There are no toll roads and traffic is light after Flagstaff. If you want to add Sedona, exit at AZ-179 near Camp Verde, drive through Sedona, and continue north on US-89A through Oak Creek Canyon back to Flagstaff. It adds about 30 to 40 minutes but is one of the most scenic drives in Arizona.
Is Phoenix or Las Vegas closer to Antelope Canyon?
Both are almost exactly the same distance: Phoenix to Page is 275 miles and Las Vegas to Page is 270 miles. Drive times are also similar at around 4.5 hours each way. The difference is the scenery: the Phoenix route goes through Flagstaff and past Sedona, the Las Vegas route goes through Hoover Dam and Utah border country.
Do guided tours from Phoenix include Horseshoe Bend?
Yes. Every full-day guided tour from Phoenix to Antelope Canyon includes a Horseshoe Bend stop, which is 15 minutes from the canyon entrance. The stop is typically 45 to 60 minutes including the walk to the viewpoint.
What city in Arizona is closest to Antelope Canyon?
Page, Arizona is the city where Antelope Canyon is located. The canyon entrance is about 4 miles from downtown Page. Flagstaff is the next closest major Arizona city, 140 miles south. Phoenix is 275 miles away and Scottsdale is roughly the same distance.
Is Antelope Canyon worth the trip from Phoenix?
Yes, for most visitors it is. The canyon is unlike anything else in Arizona: natural light through narrow sandstone walls creates an experience that photographs cannot fully convey. The drive through Flagstaff and across Navajo Nation is itself scenic. If you are in Phoenix and have an extra day, Antelope Canyon is worth the early start.
Can I fly from Phoenix to Page, AZ?
Page Municipal Airport (PGA) is a small regional airport. Contour Airlines has previously operated a Phoenix to Page route, but availability and reliability vary seasonally. Check current schedules before planning around it. Rental car options in Page are limited, so flying works best if you book tours in advance rather than planning to drive yourself on arrival.
Written by Diego Fresno, travel writer and independent publisher specialising in the American Southwest. This guide draws on the Phoenix-to-Page route and current operator listings, cross-checked in July 2026. Verified quarterly — last review April 2026. About the author →
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Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend: the best one-day combo
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