Van Hire
Phoenix

To ensure a timely departure for Sedona, streamline your arrival at Phoenix Sky Harbor. After collecting luggage, head straight to the Rental Car Center shuttle, which runs frequently from the terminal curbs. Appoint one person to handle the rental paperwork while the rest of your party manages the bags. Once you have the van, the drive north on I-17 typically takes about two hours, so an efficient pickup is key to arriving before sunset, especially during the shorter days in winter.

For a less congested pickup, consider rental locations in North Scottsdale or East Valley cities such as Mesa or Chandler. These suburban branches often have more spacious lots and are situated away from the heavy traffic funnels of the airport and downtown Phoenix. Collecting your van in one of these areas allows for a calmer start and gives you the chance to familiarise yourself with the vehicle on wider, less busy roads before joining the main freeways.

A comfortable plan is to leave Phoenix in the morning and drive about two hours north on I-17 to Flagstaff. This gives you several hours for lunch, exploring the historic downtown, or visiting Lowell Observatory. From Flagstaff, the drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim entrance is another 90 minutes. This breaks up the journey nicely, prevents driver fatigue and ensures you arrive at the canyon with plenty of daylight to find accommodation and catch a spectacular sunset.

Navigating Old Town Scottsdale in a passenger van on a weekend evening can be challenging due to heavy pedestrian traffic and limited on-street parking. Your best strategy is to avoid the crowded main streets and head directly to one of the public parking garages. These structures usually offer more room to manoeuvre a larger vehicle than tight parallel spaces. Arriving earlier in the evening or considering a rideshare for the final leg from your hotel can also significantly reduce stress.

Stadiums in the suburbs, such as Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale or Sloan Park in Mesa, generally offer a more van-friendly experience. These venues are surrounded by large, dedicated car parks which make finding a suitable spot for a larger vehicle much easier than at more urban ballparks. For a quicker exit, try to park near the edges of the lot facing an exit route, which can help you avoid the worst of the post-game gridlock.

Driving a van in downtown Phoenix during rush hour or before a major event requires patience and defensive driving. Expect significant congestion on the I-10 and I-17 freeways as well as on surface streets like Washington and Jefferson. Give yourself extra following distance to accommodate the van’s longer stopping time. It’s highly advisable to reserve parking in a garage ahead of time and to budget at least 30–45 minutes of extra travel time to navigate the traffic.

The drive from Phoenix to Tucson on I-10 is straightforward and well serviced, making stops easy to plan. A popular midway point is the town of Casa Grande, which has numerous large petrol stations and fast-food restaurants with clean restrooms and ample parking for a van. For something more scenic, Picacho Peak State Park offers toilets and picnic areas, providing a good place for children to stretch their legs. Planning a stop roughly every hour helps keep everyone comfortable.

When leaving the PHX Rental Car Center, the interchange connecting the airport roads to the I-10, Loop 202 and SR 143 can be confusing for first-time visitors. Lanes split and merge quickly, so it’s crucial to have your navigation set up before you start driving. Pay close attention to the overhead signs for your specific motorway entrance. Having a co-pilot to help read the signs allows the driver to focus on safely manoeuvring the larger vehicle through the busy junction.

The most efficient method is for the first arrival to collect the luggage and take the shuttle to the Rental Car Center to handle the van pickup. The driver can then circle back to the airport and pick up the rest of the group at the arrivals curb of their respective terminals. Alternatively, everyone can take the free PHX Sky Train to the 44th Street Station, which provides a convenient and less congested meeting point away from the terminal curbs.

For a smooth start, plan for at least 20 to 30 minutes at the rental location to get organised. This allows ample time to load all the luggage strategically, adjust mirrors and seats, and set up your navigation system. It also gives everyone a chance to settle in, buckle up and have a final bathroom break before hitting the road. Rushing this process often leads to a stressful departure and the need for an immediate stop.

Parking a van directly on campus or in the entertainment district along Mill Avenue will be very stressful due to small spaces, heavy traffic and pedestrian congestion. For a simpler experience, look for parking in the larger lots of shopping centres away from the university’s core, such as Tempe Marketplace. Many hotels in the area also offer dedicated parking for oversized vehicles, which is often the most secure and convenient option for overnight stays.

To combat the intense Phoenix sun, always use a reflective sunshade in the front windscreen whenever you park. If it’s safe to do so, cracking the windows slightly can help vent the hottest air. Prioritise parking in covered garages or finding a shady spot under a tree. Before everyone gets back in, start the van and run the air conditioning on high for a few minutes to cool the interior down quickly.

Monsoon storms in summer can drastically affect driving conditions, especially in a larger vehicle like a van. These storms bring sudden high winds, blinding dust (haboobs) and torrential downpours that can cause flash flooding. If you see a dust storm approaching, the safest action is to pull off the road as far as possible, switch off your lights and wait for it to pass. Always check the weather forecast before a long drive and be prepared to delay plans if a severe storm is predicted.

The route is very simple as the two destinations are adjacent. From most parts of Phoenix you’ll take the Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway and exit at Priest Drive or Center Parkway. Head north and follow the signs for the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden. The garden entrance has a large car park that can accommodate vans. Afterwards, you can simply drive to a different lot within the same Papago Park complex to see Hole-in-the-Rock.

Parking at Camelback Mountain is extremely limited, especially for a larger vehicle. To secure a spot at either the Echo Canyon or Cholla trailheads, plan to arrive well before sunrise, particularly at weekends and during the cooler months. For a van, the Echo Canyon lot is especially tight, so arriving exceptionally early is critical. If you arrive later, you will likely need to find parking in the surrounding neighbourhood and walk, taking care with residential parking restrictions.

Visiting Taliesin West in a van is quite manageable as the site is designed to accommodate tour buses and larger groups. The entrance road is wide and the dedicated car park has ample space, making it easy to find a spot for your vehicle. You won’t have to worry about the tight spaces or congestion found in more urban attractions. Just follow the signs from the main road and you’ll find the parking area is straightforward and convenient.

For a sunrise visit in a van, the main entrance off Central Avenue is your best bet. This leads to the park’s main road, Summit Road, which is paved and wide enough for larger vehicles. Dobbins Lookout is the most popular and accessible viewpoint, offering a large car park and spectacular city views. Arriving about 30–45 minutes before sunrise will give you plenty of time to drive up, park and find a good spot to watch the dawn.

A day trip to Jerome and Cottonwood in a van is very doable, but requires careful driving on the final approach to Jerome. The main highways from Phoenix are easy, but the road up Cleopatra Hill to Jerome (Highway 89A) is winding with some steep grades. Drive slowly, use lower gears to control your speed on descents and be mindful of the van’s size on sharp turns. Parking in Jerome is challenging for any vehicle, so use the main public car parks and be prepared to walk.

On day one, drive from Phoenix to Sedona, which takes about two hours. Spend the day exploring popular, accessible trailheads like Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock, where parking is more plentiful. In the late afternoon, continue the scenic 45-minute drive up Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff for your overnight stay. On day two, enjoy breakfast in Flagstaff’s historic downtown before making the easy two-hour drive back down I-17 to Phoenix, completing a relaxing and scenic loop.

The drive from Phoenix to Page is about four and a half hours, so breaking it up is a great idea. A logical halfway point is Flagstaff, about two hours from Phoenix. You can stop there for lunch and to stretch your legs. Another option is to drive all the way to Page, check into your hotel, and then visit Horseshoe Bend for sunset when the light is best. This avoids a long, tiring single-day round trip and allows you to explore the area more fully.

A frequent mistake is packing large, hard-sided suitcases that are difficult to arrange efficiently and access. Using soft-sided duffel bags allows for more flexible packing around wheel wells and other passengers. Another common error is not keeping essentials easily accessible. Pack a dedicated day bag with snacks, water, sunscreen and jackets so you don’t have to unpack the entire van for a short stop. This keeps the interior organised and makes overnight stops much quicker.

For a comfortable stop, consider visiting Rock Springs Cafe in Black Canyon City, a historic spot right off I-17 with easy parking and famous pies. Another excellent option is Montezuma Castle National Monument, which has a short, flat, paved loop trail that is fully accessible and offers impressive views of the cliff dwellings. Both locations provide restrooms and a chance to get out of the van without requiring strenuous activity, making them ideal for a multi-generational group.

Start by driving two hours south from Phoenix to the Tucson Mountain District (West) of Saguaro National Park. The Bajada Loop Drive is a scenic dirt road that is generally well maintained and suitable for a van. After exploring, head into Tucson for your overnight stay. The next day, visit the Rincon Mountain District (East) of the park, which features a paved, one-way scenic loop. This itinerary allows you to experience both sections of the park before making the easy highway drive back to Phoenix.

As you drive northeast from Phoenix on Highway 87 towards Payson, cell service is generally reliable. However, once you get past Payson and begin exploring the scenic roads along the Mogollon Rim, such as the Rim Road (FR 300), service can become very spotty or non-existent. It’s essential to download maps of the area to your phone for offline use before you leave. This ensures your navigation will continue to work even when you lose a cellular signal in the more remote forest areas.

To get a feel for driving a van, find a large, empty car park, such as those at a major sports stadium or a community college at the weekend. These spaces provide ample room to practise turning, reversing and parking without the pressure of traffic. Once you feel more comfortable, transitioning to the wide, multi-lane surface streets in suburban areas like Chandler or North Scottsdale is a good next step before tackling the faster pace of the motorways.

For group drop-offs, areas with designated rideshare zones or hotel valet circles are your best bet. In Scottsdale, the area around Scottsdale Fashion Square mall or the larger resorts offers more space than the heart of the Old Town entertainment district. Designating a specific, easily identifiable pickup point a block or two away from the most crowded bars on Mill Avenue in Tempe or in Old Town can save a lot of time and frustration when your group is ready to leave.

The key is to make the van’s interior appear as empty as possible from the outside. If the van has a separate cargo area, ensure all luggage is stored there. If not, try to cover bags with dark-coloured blankets or towels to make them less conspicuous. Always park in well-lit, high-traffic areas rather than isolated spots. Prioritising stops at locations with secure, attended parking garages can also provide additional peace of mind.

The drive to Lake Havasu can be heavily impacted by weekend traffic, especially on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings. To avoid the worst of it, try to leave Phoenix very early on your departure day. The standard three-hour drive can easily stretch to four or more during peak times. For your return, consider leaving Lake Havasu either early Sunday morning or waiting until later in the evening to miss the main wave of traffic heading back to the city.

A great option is the drive to Bartlett Lake via Bartlett Dam Road. The road is fully paved, relatively wide, and offers beautiful Sonoran Desert scenery without challenging twists or turns. Another relaxing choice is driving through South Mountain Park on its main paved roads, which provide stunning city overlooks from easily accessible parking areas. Both routes are well suited to a larger vehicle and offer a scenic escape without the stress of narrow mountain passes.

To simplify your game day experience, purchase a parking pass online in advance for one of the stadium’s official lots. Approaching the stadium from the Loop 101 is typically the most direct route. For a quicker exit, consider parking in one of the lots further from the stadium itself, as these tend to clear out faster. Tailgating for a while after the game ends is also a popular strategy to let the worst of the traffic dissipate before you hit the road.

Driving a van to the State Fairgrounds requires planning, as traffic on I-17 and McDowell Road becomes extremely congested. The fair offers on-site parking, but the lots can be chaotic. An easier approach is to use one of the designated park-and-ride locations, which allows you to park in a less crowded area and take a shuttle directly to the entrance. This strategy helps you avoid the most intense traffic and the challenge of manoeuvring a large van in a packed, makeshift car park.

It’s crucial to check the road status before you go, as a significant portion of the historic Apache Trail (SR 88) is often closed due to flood damage. The paved section from Apache Junction to Tortilla Flat and Canyon Lake is typically open and is perfectly suitable for a van. This part of the drive is scenic and winding but manageable. However, the unpaved section beyond Tortilla Flat is narrow, steep and not recommended for larger vehicles even when it is open.

The least stressful approach is to refuel the van the night before your flight near your hotel. On departure morning, drive directly to the Rental Car Center, allowing an extra 30 minutes in your schedule for the vehicle return process. After you drop off the keys, board the frequent shuttle bus that serves all terminals. Knowing the van is handled and you’re on your way to the terminal well ahead of time makes for a much calmer airport experience.

Most full-service car washes located throughout the Phoenix metro area have powerful vacuums available for a small fee. You can easily find these along major thoroughfares in cities like Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix itself. Many larger petrol stations also offer vacuum services. A quick search on your phone for a car wash near the airport before you head to the Rental Car Center will give you plenty of convenient options to tidy up the vehicle.

Plan your Sedona day trip for a weekday to avoid the heaviest weekend traffic on I-17 and in Sedona itself. For your resort day in Scottsdale, take advantage of the hotel’s valet or self-parking and use rideshare services for any short evening trips to dinner or Old Town. This strategy minimises the number of times you need to navigate and park the large van in congested areas, allowing you to use it primarily for the long-haul journey where its space is most valuable.

Most Scottsdale golf courses are well equipped to handle larger vehicles and have spacious car parks, so parking at the courses themselves is rarely an issue. The challenge is travel between them. Plan your tee times to avoid driving during peak morning and evening rush hours. Grouping your course selections by geographic area (e.g. playing North Scottsdale courses on the same day) will reduce your travel time on the Loop 101 and minimise exposure to traffic.

The drive to Petrified Forest is about three and a half hours. To make it a comfortable day trip, leave Phoenix early and plan a midway stop in Payson or Heber-Overgaard for a break. Another popular stop is the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, just outside the park, for a classic Route 66 photo opportunity. This pacing allows you to arrive at the park with several hours to drive the main park road and enjoy the viewpoints before heading back to Phoenix.

Given the significant distance between Mesa and Glendale, the best strategy is to establish a central meeting point. A convenient location could be a large shopping centre or park near a central motorway like the Loop 101 or I-10. For example, meeting at Tempe Marketplace or near the airport is a good compromise. This avoids having the van driver spend hours in cross-town traffic and allows the trip to begin for everyone at the same time.

Consider both passenger count and luggage space. A 15-passenger van might technically fit 15 people, but it will leave very little room for luggage or personal comfort on a long drive to the Grand Canyon. A good rule of thumb is to rent a van with more seats than you have people. For example, a group of 10 will be far more comfortable in a 15-passenger van than a 12-passenger model, as the extra space can be used for bags and legroom.