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Trip from Alhambra, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 30m

Distance

139.9 mi

225 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 20m ★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Alhambra, AZ, AZ

Alhambra, AZ

David Vives

city in and county seat of Coconino County, Arizona, United States

Flagstaff, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Alhambra, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ covers 139.9 miles and takes about 2h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.1 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.87 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

70 miles from Alhambra, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 139.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (25%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 30m drive with frequent turns across 139.9 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Arizona Veterans Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 91.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near West Camelback Road.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (West Camelback Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 5 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in | West Camelback Road

Turn right onto West Camelback Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
3
2 mi into trip | ~4m in

Turn slight left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
4
2.1 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward I 17 North: Flagstaff

Navigation decision point

Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
5
2.3 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway

Merge onto I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
59.7 mi into trip | ~1h 6m in | I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway 91.1 mi 1h 32m
Black Canyon Freeway 35.1 mi 38m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway 8.9 mi 9m
South Milton Road 1.8 mi 4m
West Camelback Road 1.2 mi 2m
North 35th Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway 0.6 mi <1m
West Historic Route 66 <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Arizona Veterans Highway — 91.1 mi, about 1h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alhambra, AZ and Flagstaff, AZ.

1

Start on North 35th Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · North 35th Avenue
2

Turn right onto West Camelback Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · West Camelback Road
Use the left lane.
3

Turn slight left

372 ft · 13 sec
Use the left lane.
4

Turn slight left onto North Black Canyon Highway

319 ft · 6 sec · North Black Canyon Highway
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
6

Merge onto I 17

35 mi · 38 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 17

8.9 mi · 9 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 17

13 mi · 13 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 17

77 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
10

Continue on I 17; AZ 89A

0.6 mi · 43 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
11

Continue on I 17; AZ 89A

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Arizona Veterans Highway
12

Continue on AZ 89A

1.8 mi · 4 min · South Milton Road
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist

449 ft · 14 sec · West Historic Route 66
14

Arrive at destination

US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70 miles from Alhambra, AZ, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 31 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 70 miles or 1h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flagstaff, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Alhambra, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Alhambra, AZ

This is one driving day of about 139.9 miles and 2h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Alhambra, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 91.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 70 mi from Alhambra, AZ · 1h 16m into the drive

town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Camp Verde, AZ

70 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Camp Verde, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ

57.3 mi · 1h 3m

Pacing Suggestions

Surprise, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cordes Lakes, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70 miles from Alhambra, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.1 miles.

Arriving in Flagstaff, AZ

The final approach into Flagstaff, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Flagstaff, AZ.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle National Monument

National Monument

Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 near mile 91.9
View on nps.gov
Walnut Canyon National Monument

Walnut Canyon National Monument

National Monument

Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour $25 near mile 140.3
View on nps.gov
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

National Monument

The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...

14 mi from route ~36 min detour $25 near mile 140.3
View on nps.gov
Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument

National Monument

Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour $10 near mile 87.1
View on nps.gov
Wupatki National Monument

Wupatki National Monument

National Monument

Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...

29 mi from route ~72 min detour $25 near mile 140.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.87 one way

$55.74 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $29.49 $58.99
premium $5.59 $30.79 $61.59
diesel $5.61 $30.89 $61.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42 0 $14.69 $6.72
Efficient EV 35 0 $12.24 $5.60
EV Truck/SUV 56 0 $19.59 $8.95

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Alhambra, AZ

Late night in Alhambra on Friday

Local time

1:08 AM

MST

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Flagstaff, AZ

Late night in Flagstaff on Friday

Local time

1:08 AM

MST

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

5 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 30m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Alhambra, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ covers 139.9 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 70 miles from Alhambra, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.87 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (West Camelback Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles: Navigation decision point.

The route from Alhambra, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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