St. George to Phoenix / Scottsdale
The Valley of the Sun offers world-class resorts, professional sports, spring training baseball, incredible desert hiking, and big-city amenities just six and a half hours south through Las Vegas.
I-15 South → US-93 South → I-17 South
460 miles
Distance
6 hr 30 min
Drive Time
south
Direction
October-April
Best Time
Driving from St. George to Phoenix / Scottsdale
Route: I-15 South → US-93 South → I-17 South
Head south on I-15 through Las Vegas, exit onto US-93 South toward Kingman, AZ, then take I-40 East to Kingman and US-93/I-17 South through Wickenburg to Phoenix. The route crosses the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert through dramatic landscape changes.
About Phoenix / Scottsdale
Phoenix and its upscale neighbor Scottsdale make up the fifth-largest metro area in the United States and offer everything a major city should — professional sports teams in every league, world-class resort spas, James Beard-nominated restaurants, and stunning Sonoran Desert scenery. For St. George residents, Phoenix serves as the closest full-scale major metro for amenities not available in Southern Utah.
The drive passes through Las Vegas and crosses the Mojave Desert before dropping into the Sonoran Desert, known for its iconic saguaro cacti. Spring is the magical season in Phoenix, when the desert blooms with wildflowers and Major League Baseball's Cactus League brings 15 teams to the valley for spring training. October through April is generally the ideal visiting window, as summer temperatures routinely exceed 110°F.
Scottsdale's Old Town district features galleries, boutiques, and some of the best restaurants in the Southwest. The Desert Botanical Garden showcases the incredible diversity of desert plant life. Camelback Mountain and South Mountain provide world-class urban hiking. The Phoenix Suns, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Coyotes offer year-round professional sports entertainment.
Gas Stops Along the Way
- Mesquite, NV — 37 miles / 35 min
- Las Vegas, NV — 120 miles / 1 hr 50 min (full services)
- Kingman, AZ — 300 miles / 3 hr 30 min (gas, food)
- Wickenburg, AZ — 400 miles / 5 hr 15 min (gas, restaurants)
- No services on long stretches of US-93 — plan fuel stops carefully
Weather & Climate
Phoenix has a hot desert climate. Winter is mild and sunny (55-75°F), spring is perfect (70-90°F), and fall is pleasant (75-95°F). Summer is extremely hot — June-September routinely exceeds 100-115°F. Monsoon storms bring dramatic thunderstorms in July-August.
Best Time to Visit
October-April
October through April offers perfect 65-85°F weather. February-March brings Cactus League baseball. Summer (June-September) is brutal with 100-115°F heat, but resort deals are incredible. The "dry heat" makes it more tolerable than humid climates, but outdoor activities should be limited to early morning.
Things to Do in Phoenix / Scottsdale
From outdoor adventures to dining, here is everything worth experiencing when you visit Phoenix & Scottsdale, Arizona.
Top Attractions
Desert Botanical Garden
$25-$35World-renowned 140-acre garden showcasing desert plants from around the world, with seasonal exhibits, live music events, and stunning evening illumination shows.
Old Town Scottsdale
Free to walkWalkable district with 100+ art galleries, boutique shops, restaurants, and bars. The Saturday morning Scottsdale Farmers Market is excellent.
Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)
$20-$25Unique museum with instruments from every country in the world, interactive exhibits, and live performance theater. Rated the top attraction in Phoenix.
Heard Museum
$18-$22World-class museum of Native American art and culture. The permanent collection includes masterwork textiles, pottery, jewelry, and kachina dolls.
Taliesin West (Frank Lloyd Wright)
$38-$75Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and architecture school in Scottsdale. Guided tours explore the desert masterpiece and Wright's design philosophy.
Outdoor Activities
Camelback Mountain
FreePhoenix's most iconic hike — a challenging 2.5-mile trail with 1,300 feet of elevation gain to a summit with 360-degree valley views. Two trails: Echo Canyon (shorter, steeper) and Cholla (longer, more moderate).
Start early — the parking lot fills by 7 AM on weekends
South Mountain Park
FreeOne of the largest municipal parks in the US with 51 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Dobbins Lookout offers panoramic city views.
Salt River Tubing
$20-$25Float down the Salt River on inner tubes through the Tonto National Forest (May-September). A quintessential Phoenix summer activity with desert canyon scenery.
Papago Park
Free (trails)Home to the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, and the iconic Hole-in-the-Rock formation. Easy hiking trails and a peaceful setting near downtown.
Sports & Entertainment
Cactus League Spring Training
$15-$60 per gameFifteen MLB teams play spring training games in 10 Phoenix-area stadiums every February-March. Intimate settings, affordable tickets, and warm weather make this a bucket-list experience for baseball fans.
Phoenix Suns (NBA)
$30-$200+Catch a Suns game at the Footprint Center downtown. The arena district has excellent pre-game dining and bar options.
Arizona Cardinals (NFL)
$50-$300+NFL games at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, which also hosts the Fiesta Bowl and occasional Super Bowls. The retractable roof and grass field are engineering marvels.
Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB)
$15-$100+Baseball at Chase Field downtown with its retractable roof — air-conditioned baseball in the desert heat. Affordable tickets and a lively game-day atmosphere.
Dining Highlights
Pizzeria Bianco
$$-$$$Chris Bianco's legendary pizzeria, often called the best pizza in America. Wood-fired Neapolitan-style pies in Heritage Square downtown. Worth the wait.
Hash Kitchen
$$The most creative brunch in Arizona with a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar and inventive breakfast dishes. Multiple Scottsdale locations.
Barrio Cafe
$$-$$$James Beard-nominated chef Silvana Salcido Esparza serves elevated Mexican cuisine in a vibrant setting. The mole and Oaxacan flavors are incredible.
The Mission
$$$Latin-inspired fine dining in Old Town Scottsdale. Creative cocktails, tableside guacamole, and a stunning interior. The date-night spot.
In-N-Out Burger
$Multiple Phoenix locations — a classic stop for the West Coast burger chain that Southern Utah residents love.
Travel Tips for the St. George to Phoenix / Scottsdale Drive
The drive goes through Las Vegas — time it to avoid Vegas traffic (leave St. George early morning or evening)
US-93 between Las Vegas and Kingman has few services — fill up gas in Las Vegas
Phoenix summers exceed 110°F regularly — plan visits for October through April
Sky Harbor Airport often has cheaper flights than Las Vegas for domestic travel
Spring training (February-March) is the best time to visit if you like baseball
Old Town Scottsdale has the highest concentration of restaurants and nightlife
Consider the I-17 North route back through Flagstaff and Kanab for a scenic loop (adds 1-2 hours)
Frequently Asked Questions: St. George to Phoenix / Scottsdale
How far is Phoenix from St. George?
Phoenix is approximately 460 miles (6 hours 30 minutes) from St. George via I-15 South through Las Vegas, then US-93 and I-17 South to Phoenix.
Is it worth driving to Phoenix from St. George?
Yes, especially for spring training baseball, resort vacations, professional sports, shopping (IKEA, specialty stores), and connecting flights from Sky Harbor Airport. Many families make the trip for long weekends.
When is the best time to visit Phoenix?
October through April offers the best weather (65-85°F). February-March is prime time for Cactus League spring training. Avoid June-September unless you can handle 110°F+ heat.
What is Cactus League spring training?
Fifteen Major League Baseball teams hold spring training in the Phoenix metro area during February and March. Games are played in 10 smaller stadiums with intimate settings and affordable tickets ($15-$60).
Nearby Destinations from Phoenix / Scottsdale
Las Vegas
The Entertainment Capital of the World is just under two hours from St. George. Whether you want world-class shows, celebrity chef restaurants, shopping, or a quick weekend getaway, Las Vegas delivers nonstop excitement.
Grand Canyon (South Rim)
The world's most famous canyon view. The South Rim is open year-round with the most visitor services, iconic lodges, and legendary trails. A longer drive from St. George but worth every mile.
Complete Guide: Driving from St. George to Phoenix / Scottsdale
St. George to Phoenix / Scottsdale — 460 miles, 6 hr 30 min Drive
Phoenix and its upscale neighbor Scottsdale make up the fifth-largest metro area in the United States and offer everything a major city should — professional sports teams in every league, world-class resort spas, James Beard-nominated restaurants, and stunning Sonoran Desert scenery. For St. George residents, Phoenix serves as the closest full-scale major metro for amenities not available in Southern Utah.
The route from St. George, Utah to Phoenix & Scottsdale, Arizona covers 460 miles and takes approximately 6 hr 30 min via I-15 South → US-93 South → I-17 South. Head south on I-15 through Las Vegas, exit onto US-93 South toward Kingman, AZ, then take I-40 East to Kingman and US-93/I-17 South through Wickenburg to Phoenix. The route crosses the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert through dramatic landscape changes.
Things to Do in Phoenix / Scottsdale
Top Attractions: Desert Botanical Garden, Old Town Scottsdale, Musical Instrument Museum (MIM). Outdoor Activities: Camelback Mountain, South Mountain Park, Salt River Tubing. Sports & Entertainment: Cactus League Spring Training, Phoenix Suns (NBA), Arizona Cardinals (NFL). Dining Highlights: Pizzeria Bianco, Hash Kitchen, Barrio Cafe.
Best Time to Visit Phoenix / Scottsdale
October through April offers perfect 65-85°F weather. February-March brings Cactus League baseball. Summer (June-September) is brutal with 100-115°F heat, but resort deals are incredible. The "dry heat" makes it more tolerable than humid climates, but outdoor activities should be limited to early morning.
Travel Tips
The drive goes through Las Vegas — time it to avoid Vegas traffic (leave St. George early morning or evening). US-93 between Las Vegas and Kingman has few services — fill up gas in Las Vegas. Phoenix summers exceed 110°F regularly — plan visits for October through April. Sky Harbor Airport often has cheaper flights than Las Vegas for domestic travel.
For more things to do near St. George, explore our Things to Do guide, browse the Events Calendar, or discover local businesses in the St. George Business Directory. Check out all road trip destinations from St. George including Las Vegas, Grand Canyon (South Rim).