Quick Drive. Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Queen Creek Canyon

Vibe. Closest burst of color to Phoenix. A calm loop inside the Arboretum. A canyon cruise on the way back with tunnels and rock walls.

My take. I rolled out of Phoenix at first light in a small block C10. The Arboretum is a quiet warm up. You idle down. You hear the engine settle. Cottonwoods and pistache start to glow. On the return the road bends enough to wake up the chassis without punishing it. Easy fuel and food in Superior. Ideal when you only have a morning.

• Route. Phoenix to Superior on US 60. Stop at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Continue a short way through Queen Creek Canyon. Turn back on US 60.
• Distance and time. About 110 to 130 miles round trip. Two to three hours of drive time plus stops.
• Best window. Late October into late November often shows dependable color at the Arboretum.
• Pavement. Fully paved. Watch for shade that keeps the road cool.

Open in Google Maps View on OpenStreetMap

Day Trip. Sedona to Flagstaff through Oak Creek Canyon

Vibe. Red rock. Gold cottonwoods and maples. A steady climb that rewards a sorted muscle car with good brakes and cooling.

My take. I staged in Sedona before mid morning in a tidy Camaro. The canyon narrows and the light turns warm under the canopy. Steering loads in a way that feels right. The switchbacks near the top are the show. Pull into Oak Creek Vista for the photo. Cruise into Flagstaff for lunch. Return on I 17 for a relaxed finish.

• Route. Phoenix to Sedona on I 17. Sedona to Oak Creek Vista on SR 89A. Continue to Flagstaff. Return on I 17.
• Distance and time. About 260 to 290 miles round trip. Five to six hours with stops.
• Best window. Mid October through early November is often prime in the canyon.
• Pavement. Fully paved with tight hairpins near the rim. Use pullouts for photos. If traffic stacks, pause and re enter for clean gaps.

Google Maps. Sedona to Oak Creek Vista OpenStreetMap. Oak Creek Vista

Weekend Road Trip. Coronado Trail and the White Mountains

Vibe. Big alpine country. Long sweepers. Aspen pockets and meadows. Remote enough to feel like a real test drive.

My take. I topped off in Springerville and set a Chevelle for the long line of US 191. The air turned cold near Hannagan Meadow. Corners linked together in a rhythm that suits a classic with good geometry and fresh fluid. Services thin out south of Alpine. Bring a plan. The descent toward Clifton is dramatic and works best at first light.

• Route. Phoenix to Show Low. AZ 260 to Springerville and Eagar. US 191 over Alpine and Hannagan Meadow to Clifton and Morenci. US 70 and US 60 back to Phoenix. Optional side loops to Greer and Big Lake.
• Distance and time. Roughly 550 to 650 miles round trip. Two days minimum. Three if you want more lakes and turnouts.
• Best window. Late September into October often brings peak high country color. Lower spots can linger after that.
• Pavement. Fully paved. Remote. Watch for wildlife at dawn and dusk.

Google Maps. Eagar to Clifton on US 191 OpenStreetMap. Hannagan Meadow

Prep list for classic drivers

• Cooling. Fresh coolant and a working shroud or fans. Watch temps on long grades.
• Brakes. Healthy pads and recent fluid. Smell is a clue. If you smell it, cool it.
• Tires. Correct pressure. Good tread. Re torque lugs if wheels were just off.
• Gauges. Water temp. Oil temp. Voltage. Digital clusters make this easy.
• Glass and wipers. Clean glass and good blades. Shaded canyons can drip.

Check current road and weather conditions before you go. Pack water, snacks, and basic tools. Have fun and tag your Fesler build so we can feature it.