Phoenix is the closest major city to Page, Arizona — and the drive north is one of the best road trips in the state. From the Sonoran Desert around Phoenix you climb through Ponderosa Pine forests in Flagstaff, then drop into the red rock canyon country of the Navajo Nation on US-89 North, arriving in Page with Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell all within a few miles of your hotel. The total distance is about 280 miles and the drive takes 3.5 to 4 hours without stops.
Distance
~280 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor
Drive time
3.5–4 h (without stops)
Main route
I-17 North → US-89 North
Best stop en route
Cameron Trading Post (mi 200)
Day trip?
Possible but tight — leave by 5:00 am
Overnight recommended
1–2 nights in Page
The route: I-17 North to US-89 North
The standard route from Phoenix to Page is straightforward — two roads, no turns to miss:
- I-17 North from Phoenix to Flagstaff (143 miles, ~2 hours). The highway climbs 6,000 feet in elevation from the Valley of the Sun to Flagstaff. Traffic can be slow leaving Phoenix on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings — add 20–30 minutes if departing then. The Sunset Point rest area (mile 252) has restrooms and a panoramic view of the Agua Fria valley — a good stretch stop on the way up.
- US-89 North from Flagstaff to Page (135 miles, ~1.5 hours). Exit I-17 at US-89 (exit 340B, signed "Page / Grand Canyon East"). The road passes through the Navajo Nation, crossing into increasingly dramatic red rock and sandstone terrain. Speed limits vary from 55 to 65 mph; most of the road is open two-lane highway with passing zones.
Alternative route via Payson (US-60 + AZ-87)
The Beeline Highway (AZ-87 North via Payson) is the main alternative: take US-60 East to AZ-87 North through the Mazatzal Mountains and Tonto Natural Bridge, then join US-89 at Flagstaff or continue northeast via AZ-260. This route is more scenic in the early section — the drive through Payson and the high country is beautiful — but adds 30–45 minutes to the total trip. There is no advantage in distance or time over I-17. Choose it if you want a more varied landscape in the southern half of the drive, not for speed.
Best stops along the way
1. Cameron Trading Post (mile ~200 from Phoenix)
Cameron is the best stop on the entire Phoenix-to-Page corridor. Located 54 miles north of Flagstaff on US-89, the trading post was established in 1916 and is still operating as a hotel, restaurant, gallery, and gas station on the Navajo Nation.
- Gas station: Fill up here. The next reliable fuel is in Page, 78 miles further. Do not skip Cameron if you are below half a tank.
- Restaurant: Serves Navajo food — fry bread, mutton stew, Navajo tacos. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. Simple but genuinely good and a direct connection to the culture you are about to drive through.
- Gallery: Large selection of Navajo rugs, jewelry, pottery, and Hopi kachinas — quality varies but there are genuinely excellent pieces if you know what to look for.
- Suspension bridge: Walk 100 yards from the main building to the historic 1911 suspension bridge over the Little Colorado River gorge. The gorge is 185 feet deep at this point — an underrated stop that most people drive past without noticing.
Allow 20–30 minutes at Cameron. If you are on a tight day-trip schedule, fuel up and keep the visit brief.
2. Navajo Bridge / Marble Canyon (mile ~260 from Phoenix, 17 miles south of Page)
Just before reaching Page, US-89 Alt passes over the Colorado River at Marble Canyon — two bridges side by side: a historic 1929 steel bridge (now a pedestrian walkway) and a modern 1995 vehicle bridge. The view from the pedestrian bridge is genuinely spectacular: the Colorado River 467 feet below, the beginning of Grand Canyon's Marble Canyon section visible upstream.
The Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center (free, open seasonally) sits between the two bridges. California condors are frequently spotted soaring at eye level from the bridge — this is one of the best condor-viewing spots in the Southwest. Allow 20 minutes minimum; up to 45 if the condors are active.
3. Lee's Ferry (3 miles west of Navajo Bridge)
A short detour from Navajo Bridge leads to Lee's Ferry, the only road-accessible crossing point on the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Hoover Dam. It is the launch point for all commercial Grand Canyon rafting trips. The beach at the river is free to access and gives you standing at the river level — a completely different perspective from the bridge above. Worth 15 minutes if condors or river access interest you.
Day trip or overnight?
| Day trip | Overnight (1–2 nights) | |
|---|---|---|
| Total drive | 7 hours round trip | Split across 2+ days |
| Antelope Canyon | 1 tour (Upper or Lower) | Both Upper and Lower |
| Horseshoe Bend | Mid-morning (not golden hour) | Sunrise or sunset light |
| Lake Powell | Overlook only | Boat tour possible |
| Depart Phoenix | 5:00 am or earlier | Any reasonable time |
| Return Phoenix | 6:00–8:00 pm | Flexible |
| Verdict | Doable but exhausting | Strongly recommended |
If you are staying overnight, the best base is Page itself — it puts you within 5 miles of both Antelope Canyon entrances and a 10-minute walk from Horseshoe Bend. See our Page, Arizona hotels guide for the full breakdown, or our 3-day Page Arizona itinerary for a structured plan.
What to do in Page when you arrive
Page sits at the center of four major attractions, all within 10 miles:
- Upper Antelope Canyon — the famous beam-of-light slot canyon, in Page itself. Tours depart every 15–20 minutes throughout the day; the best light is 10:00 am–1:00 pm in summer. Book weeks in advance in peak season (April–September).
- Lower Antelope Canyon — 5 miles east of Page on AZ-98, slightly longer, no crowds waiting above you, wider canyon floor. Different experience from Upper — both are worth visiting if you have two days.
- Horseshoe Bend — a 1.5-mile round-trip walk from the parking area on US-89 South, just outside Page. Free entry ($10 parking fee). The best light is early morning or late afternoon; mid-morning is fine for photos but the site is at peak crowds.
- Lake Powell — the reservoir immediately north of Page. Wahweap Marina (3 miles from downtown Page) has boat rentals, guided tours to Rainbow Bridge, and a beach. In summer the lake is warm enough to swim.
For tour booking, the Antelope Canyon operators guide compares all licensed tour companies with current prices and availability.
Rental car tips for the Phoenix–Page drive
Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) has all major rental car companies. A few practical points for this specific drive:
- Standard cars are fine — the entire route is paved highway. You do not need 4WD or AWT for this drive. A standard compact or mid-size works perfectly.
- Check fuel policy: The stretch between Cameron and Page is 78 miles with no service. Fill up at Cameron.
- Book in advance in summer: Phoenix rental car prices surge in June–August due to high demand. Booking 2+ weeks ahead typically saves 20–40% vs walk-up rates.
- One-way rentals: If you plan to continue from Page to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, one-way rental is worth pricing — sometimes cheaper than returning to Phoenix.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Page Arizona from Phoenix?
Page is approximately 280 miles from downtown Phoenix via I-17 North and US-89 North. From Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport the distance is similar — about 275 miles. The drive takes 3.5 to 4 hours without stops, depending on traffic leaving Phoenix and your pace through Flagstaff.
Is Page Arizona worth visiting from Phoenix?
Yes — Page is the access point for Antelope Canyon (the most photographed slot canyon in the world), Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell. For Phoenix residents, it is the closest major slot canyon destination. Las Vegas visitors typically have similar distances to Page, but Phoenix drivers get the better approach: the US-89 North corridor through Echo Cliffs and Marble Canyon is one of the most scenic drives in Arizona.
Can you do a day trip from Phoenix to Page Arizona?
Technically yes, but it is exhausting. You are looking at 7 hours of driving plus time in Page, for a 13–15 hour day. A realistic day-trip schedule: leave Phoenix at 5:00 am, arrive Page 8:45 am, do one Antelope Canyon tour (9:00–10:30 am), walk Horseshoe Bend (11:00 am), lunch, depart Page 2:00 pm, back in Phoenix by 6:00 pm. That is tight and leaves no margin for error. Most people regret not staying overnight when they do it as a day trip — the light in Antelope Canyon is best mid-morning, and Horseshoe Bend at sunrise/sunset is a different experience entirely.
What is the best route from Phoenix to Page Arizona?
I-17 North to US-89 North is the standard and recommended route. From central Phoenix: take I-17 North to Flagstaff (143 miles, ~2 hours), then US-89 North from Flagstaff to Page (135 miles, ~1.5 hours). The alternative via US-60 East through Payson (Globe/Tonto National Forest) is more scenic in the early section but adds 30–45 minutes and has more two-lane highway. Stick with I-17 unless you specifically want the Payson route.
Is there a gas station between Flagstaff and Page?
Yes — Cameron Trading Post (54 miles north of Flagstaff on US-89) has a gas station, restaurant, and convenience store. It is the main service stop between Flagstaff and Page. Beyond Cameron, the next reliable fuel is in Page itself (78 miles further). Fill up at Cameron if your tank is below half.
Do you need a car to get from Phoenix to Page Arizona?
Effectively yes. There is no direct shuttle or bus service between Phoenix and Page. Guided day tours from Phoenix to Antelope Canyon exist on Viator, but they are very long days (14–16 hours). Renting a car at Phoenix Sky Harbor gives you full flexibility: you can visit Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell at your own pace and stop along the route at Cameron and Marble Canyon.
What is Cameron Trading Post and is it worth stopping?
Cameron Trading Post is a historic trading post and hotel on the Navajo Nation, 54 miles north of Flagstaff on US-89. Built in 1916, it has a restaurant serving Navajo dishes (try the fry bread), a large gallery with Native American rugs, pottery, and jewelry, and a gas station. It is genuinely worth a 20–30 minute stop on the way to or from Page. The suspension bridge next to the main building over the Little Colorado River gorge is also worth a look.
How do you get to Antelope Canyon from Phoenix?
Drive to Page, Arizona (280 miles, ~3.5 hours) and book a guided tour in advance. All Antelope Canyon tours — both Upper and Lower — are operated by Navajo guides and require advance booking. You cannot visit the canyon independently. Upper Antelope Canyon is in Page itself; Lower Antelope Canyon is 5 miles east of Page on AZ-98. Both canyons require separate tour bookings.
About this guide
Written by Diego Fresno, travel writer and independent publisher covering the American Southwest. This guide is based on multiple drives between Phoenix and Page, including a July 2025 road trip that covered the I-17 → US-89 route with stops at Cameron and Marble Canyon.. Verified quarterly — last review April 2026. About the author →
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