Grand Canyon South Rim -- the closest big trip
The Grand Canyon's South Rim entrance is roughly 60 miles north of Williams on AZ-64, a drive that typically runs about an hour and a half depending on traffic at the entrance station and how far into the park you are headed. This is the single most popular day trip from Williams, and the Grand Canyon Railway offers an alternative to driving -- a historic train departs from the Williams depot and arrives at the South Rim depot without you needing a park entrance pass in your own vehicle.
If you drive yourself, plan to arrive early. Parking at the main South Rim lots fills by mid-morning during the summer season, and the free shuttle system, while extensive, adds time to reaching specific overlooks. Our dedicated Williams to Grand Canyon day trip guide covers viewpoint priorities, entrance fees, and shuttle logistics in more depth than fits here.
Sedona -- red rocks by way of Oak Creek Canyon
Sedona is about 60 miles south of Williams, but the drive takes longer than the Grand Canyon route because of two mountain passes. The most scenic path runs south on I-17 to Flagstaff, then down AZ-89A through Oak Creek Canyon -- a narrow, switchbacked descent past red rock walls and pull-outs. Give yourself close to two hours each way if you plan to stop for photos, and check current road conditions before you go in winter, since the canyon road can ice over at elevation even when Sedona itself is clear.
An alternative route runs through I-17 to the Sedona/Verde Valley exit and up AZ-179, which is faster but skips Oak Creek Canyon's views. Either way, Sedona is a full-day commitment from Williams rather than a quick stop -- budget at least four hours round trip in driving alone, before you account for time in town.
Flagstaff -- the closest true city
Flagstaff is about 30 miles east of Williams on I-40, generally a 30 to 40 minute drive. It is less a single-attraction day trip than a base for several -- downtown Flagstaff's historic district, Lowell Observatory, and the trailheads on the San Francisco Peaks all sit within the same short radius. Because it is so close, Flagstaff also works as a lunch stop on the way to or from Sedona or the Grand Canyon rather than a dedicated trip of its own.
Meteor Crater -- the farthest of the four
Meteor Crater sits east of Flagstaff near Winslow, roughly 75 miles from Williams depending on your route, putting it at about an hour and fifteen minutes of driving each way. It is the most specialized of these four trips -- a single, well-documented attraction (a roughly 50,000-year-old impact crater with a visitor center) rather than a town with multiple things to see. Because of the distance, most visitors combine it with a stop in Flagstaff on the way out or back rather than making it a stand-alone round trip from Williams.
Choosing which trip fits your schedule
If you only have one extra day, the Grand Canyon is the obvious choice given the proximity and the train option. If you have two extra days, pair Flagstaff with either Sedona or Meteor Crater on separate days rather than trying to see all three in one push -- the driving alone adds up, and mountain weather (afternoon monsoon storms in summer, occasional snow at higher elevations in winter) is more likely to disrupt a long day than a short one. Check current conditions for AZ-64, I-17, and Oak Creek Canyon before departing, since seasonal closures and construction do occur on all three routes.
For broader regional context beyond these four, the Flagstaff hub, Sedona hub and Grand Canyon hub each have their own full guides if you decide to extend your trip past a single day.