Early Planning Western US Tour

Make sure you book a Canyon Tour which takes you to the most important sites.

Have you considered Santa Fe? I was there a couple years ago and just loved it. If you like the artist Georgia O'Keefe her museum is there and her home & studio is about 50 miles from town.

I have traveled some in the region you are planning on visiting, but I don’t pretend to be any kind of expert. However, here are some thoughts and recommendations. The distances between sites can be daunting. Be sure to check in your planning. A one night stay does not equal a day. By the time you pack up, check out, and drive to your next destination, you might have no more than a couple of hours left for exploring.
I would include Santa Fe, and give it 3 full days. It has a wonderful museum of Folk Art and a Georgia O’Keefe Museum, as well as museums of New Mexico history and Indian Culture and art. The drive from Santa Fe to Taos isn’t bad, and you can visit the Taos pueblo there, as well as the Millicent Rogers Museum, which has a very good collection of indigenous art.
I have never heard of Tuba City; and I think Flagstaff is skippable, given all the other wonderful places to explore. I think 4 Corners is unremarkable. We eliminated it from our itinerary because it looked to be simply a marker noting the confluence of the 4 states.
I also don’t see any mention of the Grand Canyon, a top world-class sight. It’s worth visiting, even without any hiking. You can drive to several lookout points, and get astonishing views. We did it as a day trip a couple of times when we were hosting mobility-impaired visitors.

We did a similar trip last year. We flew into Phoenix, drove to Sedona and spent 3 nights (2days) here. In Sedona, you must do a Pink Jeep Tour.
We did go and stay in Flagstaff for a geocaching convention, but I'd skip it, if your time is limited. We did like going to the Lowell. Observatory in the evening in Flagstaff,
From Flagstaff, we drove North to Grand Canyon visiting the lesser known National parks of Wapitki and Sunset Crater. You can visit these in one day as you drive to Grand Canyon.
I see you did not mention Grand Canyon. So I assume you've already been here. If not, you need to stop here, even if just one night. We spent 3 nights.
We spent three nights in Page AZ, rather than Tuba city. We visited Antelope Slot Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
From here we went NW, but you are going NE.
On the way South, consider Santa Fe NM and a Day trip to Taos NM via the High Road and then back to Santa Fe via the low road with a dinner stop at Rancho Chimayo. We also visited Santuario de Chimayo during our drive to Taos to see the Taos Pueblo. We spent 4 nights in Santa Fe (one of those days was a day trip to Taos and back) We are glad we didn't spend a night in Taos. Just to sleepy for us. Santa Fe has the Georgia O'Keefe Museum and great restaurants. I think September there is the Santa Fe Opera.
We also spent 2 nights in Abiquiu NM to visit the Georgia O'keefe home and Ghost Ranch and had a wonderful dinner at NOSA.
We stopped by Los Alamos, NM to see sites here, before heading to Bandolier NM.
Then we drove to Albuquerque. and visited Petroglyphs NM. We visited ABQ during the Balloon Fiesta, but it's not in September when you are going.

We did not do any heavy hiking. Hope these suggestions help. If you need hotel suggestions, let us know.

Please explain further:

1. Why are you skipping the Grand Canyon? Or are you thinking that Flagstaff would be your base to visit the Grand Canyon? If so, then that's a bad idea. If you are going to GC, then stay in the GC.

2. Why Tuba City? Again, your post is not clear when you mention visiting a list of other places in Arizona but not particularly close to Tuba City. Personally I would rather go from the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley and spend the night there. Take the Native American-led tour in MV.

3. Skip the tourist trap that is supposedly the Four Corners. Yes it's fun to think that you are standing in four states, but it's not even in the correct location.

NO GRAND CANYON!
Consider visiting some national parks, there are many in the SW. Utah has many in addition to the Grand Canyon. Also, visit the huge crater in northern central AZ.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!

To clarify:
I did want to avoid long drives from place to place and I have been to the North Rim's Bright Angel Trail and hiked down to the Colorado River in Marble Canyon. DS hasn't been to the GC, but we have been to Iceland together. Neither of us can completely enjoy a huge chasm in the ground due to feeling vertiginous. I also dread the huge crowds. HOWEVER, I have decided to reconsider and am now thinking that we could go to the South Rim with a breakfast stop in Flagstaff.

The reason for Flagstaff is that I spent about 10 days there in my youth. When pre-retired folks in Ohio start talking about relocating to Florida, I always say I am moving to Flagstaff--nice high elevation where it doesn't get too hot. I am pretty sure I will stay put here in Ohio and keep traveling, but I would like to see Flagstaff again.

I have also stayed in Tuba City for a few days and would like to see it again. In addition, I read all of Tony Hillerman's books around this time and places like Shiprock, Pinon, Hard Rock and Gallup are stored in my brain. I love to visit places from TV shows, movies and books.

I now have Santa Fe on the must list. This will be the totally new place on the list to visit. Then we can fly home from Albuquerque.

Thanks for the help, the trip is shaping up much better!

We did two similar trips a few years back. I don't want to reiterate any of the above. However, I have a few more suggestions for stops we considered highlights. These are mostly museums as other highlights have been included above. They may not be of interest to you, but I'l link the relevant details.

Phoenix/Scottsdale (we also flew into Phoenix):
Musical Instrument Museum - this is not just for musicians or instrumental music enthusiasts. Very well curated and designed museum - will appeal to cultural, ethnological, world music, historical interests. Lots of hands-on, demos, audio guides, information available for intro or in depth levels of interest. https://mim.org

Desert Botanical Garden - fairly flat and easily walkable. We found it a good intro to local flora and topography.
https://dbg.org

Western Spirit Museum of the West - https://westernspirit.org

From Santa Fe, we drove to Los Alamos for a couple days. Manhattan Project sites and several other interesting spots such as Bandelier National Monument on this link: https://www.nps.gov/mapr/planyourvisit/losalamos-nm.htm

Also from Santa Fe, we did a day trip to Taos. Very attractive, but not rigorous drive. Taos, as an art colony, had lots of little spots to explore and enjoy.

Re the Grand Canyon - We enjoyed a couple days at the South Rim despite one of us not being able to hike. There is a flat, easily walkable path along the rim and shuttles for distance. I have a fear of heights, but managed this fine.

So much to see! Even after two separate visits, I have a list of sites we didn't manage to fit in.

I recommend Meteor Crater National Monument, about 35 miles east of flagstaff, about 5 miles off of interstate 40. Very cool, look it up. There’s a small museum and film and you can be in and out in 1-2 hours. Finally got there about a year ago.

vandrabrud,
We have done lots of road trips throughout the Southwest (coming from SoCal).

1. Don't miss Santa Fe. Fly into Albuquerque, rent a car there and drive to Santa Fe (about an hour). Stay at the Governor's Inn right near the Plaza. Lovely rooms, good food, neat bar, generous margaritas (popular with the locals)..... overall one of our favorite places we have stayed for comfort, service, ambience, location and value. Visit the museums on Museum Hill (there are four, but do not miss the International Folk Art Museum and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture if you don't want to do all of them). On the way up or back stop at the Loretto Chapel to see its staircase. The Basilica Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, near the Santa Fe Plaza, is lovely.
IMO the Georgia O'Keefe Museum is disappointing.
Spend one day going to Taos. Take the high road one way and the low road the other. Visit the Pueblo of Taos. The town itself is a bit to artsy-craftsy for me and too commercial. On the high road route stop at Chimayo and check out the chapel. On the low road you drive right next to the Rio Grande (yes, that one). Another day trip could be Los Alamos to visit the Bradbury Science Museum (fascinating), and atomic history sights. Head back by way of Bandolier National Monument (cave dwellings).

All in all, three full days in Santa Fe is a minimum for me. Alburquerque is okay. It has the Indian Cultural Center and the Balloon Museum, both of which we enjoyed, but both can be seen in one day. Santa Fe has more to see and do IMO.

1. Arizona...Sedona is a a beautiful area. However, the town itself has become an upscale tourist enclave IMO. Find a scenic route to drive on yourself, or be judicious about which guided tour you take. Some of them drive up and back through town to point out the shops and give you a very short trip around the scenic areas (which are outside of town). Get a tourist type or AAA map and drive on the roads to see the beautiful rock formations yourself. To me, one day there is plenty as Sedona is so commercialized and overpriced. Just driving through town is slow due to all the traffic. Nearby Flagstaff, although not fancy, is in another setting altogether...mountain forests. The Lowell Observatory is worth a visit. Flagstaff is a college town so there are several reasonable places to eat.
   Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley, both are fantastic! So glad you are going there. Canyon de Chelly is neglected, unreasonably so. You will be fascinated. And if you have time do go to Four Corners. Yes, it isn't much, but heck, it's fun to manage to put your feet in four states at once! Of course, the route to Four Corners is a bit out of the way if traveling between Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly (about 3 1/2 hours between the two, and 3 1/2 hours from either place to Four Corners). The drive from Canyon de Chelly to Alburquerque takes about 3 1/2 hours also, and goes through Gallup NM. For some reason Gallup holds a special place in my heart. We stopped there between seeing Chaco Canyon (NM) and Canyon de Chelly. It is rich in Native American culture and arts, not pretentious, on old route 66. It could be a pleasant overnight stop. You may happen upon a powwow. (Stay in the historic Hotel El Rancho. We loved it, and the restaurant had delicious food.) Santa Fe is another hour past Alburquerque.
2. Re hiking. All these places are doable with bad knees (I saw them before my two knee replacements), except for climbing up to the cliff dwellings at Bandolier Natl. Monument. And Canyon de Chelly had some areas I didn't walk to, but the site is so large you won't cover everything anyway and may just drive on one of the routes with overlooks. Also, as far as dwellings go, Chaco Canyon has far, far more to explore. The two sites aren't really comparable, IMO. Each has its own strengths.
   
3. Tuba City...??

Lyndash has a good suggestion. Meteor Crater is very cool. If I remember correctly, early astronauts did some training within it.

vandrabrud,
No time for Phoenix this trip, I see. Next one......and add Tucson to that trip. Lots of stuff to tempt you on another Southwest trip.

Thank you everyone for your great suggestions.

Thinking of something like this:
Fly into Albuquerque and stay in Santa Fe 4-5 nights. Visit Taos and Los Alamos.
Drive to Gallup and spend one night.
Drive to Canyon De Chelly and spend one night.
Spend 2-3 more nights exploring the Navajo and Hopi Nation lands including Monument Valley.
Drive through Tuba City and spend 2 nights at the south rim GC.
Drive through Sedona and stay here for one night or stay in Phoenix and fly home from Phoenix.
11-12 nights total.

Now will start looking at more details including car rental fees and flights.

I forgot to mention that I have been to the Crater park in Arizona, it was great!

Thanks, vandrabrud for adding the PS on the Crater. I’m always mentioning it because so few people seem to know about it and it is very cool!

vandrabrud,
To add for a future trip, if you make one. Near Kingman AZ (in the west) are the Grand Canyon Caverns. We took the kids in the late 80's on our way to a weeklong Southwest drive. They are definitely a good stop.
Arizona (where I couldn't live because of the summer heat) has tons and tons of things to see and do. I'm lucky to have visited often and seen most of their "big" sights, as well as some less well-known ones.

One of my employees ( Phoenix area ) played tuba in the high school band. He and other players made a trip to Tuba City to take a picture of them all at the city limit sign.

This forum is awesome. My mom lives in Arizona, it’s one of the states I feel I know the best, have been many times and we usually try to include a new place to visit on our trips there, but even I learned a few things from this thread! Thanks!
And yes, Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix is fantastic. I think it’s one of the best museums I have ever been to.

2-3 more nights exploring the Navajo and Hopi Nation lands including Monument Valley

Plan your lodging and activities in advance here. Distances are large and there isn't so much to do spur of the moment, it's mostly private land.

While there is an actual monument named 4 corners, some of us have traveled for years in an AREA called 4 corners. It comprises at least 1/4 of each of the 4 adjoining states - an area as big as any of those states. There is an unbelievable multitude of fascinating places to visit for scenery, natural wonders, history, and cultures. Yes, the distances are great and accommodations are sparse, so as you mention, try to minimize your driving. If going to the Santa Fe & Albuquerque area, check a tour book and pick at least one pueblo. Every time we return to the 4 Corners area, we delight in finding new places as well as visiting some favorites. Have a great trip!

I lived in NM for 5 years, so perhaps I am biased, but I would say skip NM, focus on AZ and UT. Best bang for your buck in terms of scenery and national parks is southern Utah...so if it were me, I would make this into an AZ/UT trip, fly into either Phoenix or SLC and fly out the other, and spend more days in Utah than AZ.

Thank you again for all of these great ideas. I will now be filing this thread for later use.

It looks like this will be the autumn to skip a trip and have at least one (if not both) of my knees replaced. The thought of this trip on my current knees became too much to fathom. My appointment with my ortho is May 22, twelve days after my return from Quebec City and Montreal. I am rehabbing as much as I can stand so that I can hopefully get around enough on the hills of Quebec City, but if I have to, I will hang out on the overlook above the St Lawrence river and just enjoy the views.

The last time I saw ortho (5 years ago) he told me that I need 2 new knees, but to come back when I was 60. I actually have done pretty well since then and have tromped through Iceland, Bavaria, Austria, Slovakia, Prague, Paris, Normandie and Japan.
I think I will ask him to do both knees at once and then check myself into an inpatient rehab unit to make sure that I follow all of the recovery protocols correctly. I want to be back on the road as soon as possible!

vandrabrud,
Best of luck with your knees. New ones will definitely get rid of the pain. I had mine done a year and a half apart and am so glad that I can now walk without the pain. Congrats on taking the steps you need to take the steps you want!

I hope you get some new knees that will continue to keep you traveling! Best of luck!