Superstition Mountains and the Apache Trail
East of Tempe, the Superstition Mountains rise abruptly from the desert floor and are one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Phoenix area. The Apache Trail (State Route 88) winds through the foothills past Canyon Lake and toward Tortilla Flat, a small historic stop with a general store and restaurant. Portions of the Apache Trail are unpaved, and road conditions change, including occasional closures, so check current conditions before you go rather than relying on an older map or trip report.
Give yourself more time than you expect for this drive. It is a scenic, winding route rather than a fast highway, and stopping at overlooks adds time quickly. A reasonable plan is to treat the Apache Trail as a half-day to full-day outing depending on how far along it you go and how many stops you make.
Saguaro Lake for a water day
Saguaro Lake, also east of Tempe along the Salt River system, offers boating, kayaking, and a marina with rentals. It is a good option if you want a change of pace from desert hiking and would rather spend a day on the water. Rental availability, hours, and pricing vary by season and operator, so confirm details directly with the marina before you drive out. Weekends and holidays draw crowds, so arriving earlier in the day generally means easier parking and boat launch access.
Scottsdale, a short drive away
Scottsdale sits just northeast of Tempe and makes an easy half-day or full-day trip depending on what you want to do. Old Town Scottsdale has galleries, restaurants, and shopping within a walkable core, while areas further north lean toward resorts and golf. If you want a day that mixes some upscale dining with gallery browsing, Scottsdale is usually the closest fit from a Tempe base. See the Scottsdale guide for more detail on planning a visit there.
Phoenix museums and downtown
Downtown Phoenix is a short drive northwest of Tempe and is worth a day trip on its own, particularly for museum-goers. The Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum (focused on Native American art and culture), and the Arizona Science Center are all within a compact downtown area, so it is possible to visit more than one in a day if you plan efficiently. Roosevelt Row, the arts district just north of downtown, is a good add-on for a late afternoon or evening after museum hours. See the Phoenix guide for a fuller rundown of downtown attractions.
Sedona, the longer option
Sedona is the most ambitious day trip from Tempe on this list, and it is a genuinely long day: driving time from the Phoenix metro to Sedona varies with traffic and route, and red rock scenery and stops along the way tend to slow things down further. If you go, plan to leave early and expect a full day, with some travelers preferring to stay overnight rather than driving back the same evening. Confirm current drive times before you commit, since traffic through the Phoenix metro and any construction on the route can add meaningfully to the trip. The Sedona guide covers what to prioritize once you arrive, which is useful for planning a tight one-day itinerary.
Planning tips for any of these trips
Fuel up before you leave the Phoenix metro area, since services thin out quickly once you are on routes like the Apache Trail or the highway north toward Sedona. Cell service can also be unreliable in the Superstition Mountains and along parts of the Apache Trail, so download offline maps or directions in advance. Water and sun protection matter on all of these trips, even ones centered on driving rather than hiking, since stops at overlooks and small towns still mean time outside in a hot, dry climate. Know the difference between heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, cool clammy skin, dizziness, nausea -- get to shade and sip water) and heat stroke (confusion, slurred speech, a body temperature above 103°F, hot dry or damp skin), which is a medical emergency: call 911 immediately and do not give fluids to someone showing heat stroke symptoms.
These routes also run through Arizona's monsoon window — the National Weather Service sets Arizona's official monsoon season as June 15 through September 30 — when sudden dust storms and flash flooding are real risks on desert highways. If a wall of dust is bearing down on you while driving, ADOT's "Pull Aside, Stay Alive" guidance is: pull completely off the paved roadway as soon as you can, turn off all your lights (including hazards, so other drivers don't follow your taillights into you), set the parking brake, take your foot off the brake pedal, and stay belted in until the dust clears.
If you are deciding among these options, weigh how much driving you want to do against how much time you want at the destination itself. Scottsdale and Phoenix are efficient because the drive is short and the destination has a lot packed into a compact area. The Apache Trail and Saguaro Lake reward a slower pace. Sedona asks for the most time investment but delivers the most dramatic scenery of the group.