Origin
Avondale, AZ
Afternoon in Avondale on Sunday
Local time
2:19 PM
MST
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Avondale, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ
Drive Time
6h 32m
Distance
319.9 mi
515 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$64
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 20m
★
6 AM
6h 32m
8 AM
6h 57m
10 AM
6h 41m
12 PM
6h 38m
3 PM
6h 42m
5 PM
6h 56m
8 PM
6h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Avondale, AZ
Atlantic Ambience
Cottonwood, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
The drive from Avondale, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 319.9 miles and takes about 6h 32m 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, Purple Heart Trail, Winslow–Kayenta Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $63.67 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
159.9 miles from Avondale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Avondale, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 319.9 miles and takes about 6h 32m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 34 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 90.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near South Dysart Road.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 319.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (South Dysart Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Dysart Road
At end of road, turn left onto South Dysart Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
6
5.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133B
8
27.1 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoenix
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 23
Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoen...
8
27.3 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoen...
Towns Along This Route
Between Avondale, AZ and Cottonwood, AZ, road signs point toward Phoenix and Albuquerque.
Phoenix
27.1 mi in
|
~33m
Albuquerque
152.5 mi in
|
~2h 43m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 90.6 mi | 1h 31m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 61.4 mi | 1h 2m |
| Winslow–Kayenta Highway | 55.8 mi | 1h 4m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 23.2 mi | 24m |
| Agua Fria Freeway | 20.5 mi | 23m |
| Arizona State Highway 264 | 11.7 mi | 14m |
| Navajo Route 4 | 10.4 mi | 25m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 90.6 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Avondale, AZ and Cottonwood, AZ.
1
Start on this road
27 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto North Central Avenue
89 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Central Avenue
3
Turn left onto East Western Avenue
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
East Western Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
At end of road, turn left onto South Dysart Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Dysart Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 133B
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Agua Fria Freeway
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 23
Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoenix
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoenix
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
13
Merge onto I 17
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 17
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
17
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
19
Merge onto I 40
61 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward AZ 87 North: Second Mesa
21
Turn left onto AZ 87; US 66 Hist
39 mi
·
45 min
·
Winslow–Kayenta Highway
22
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
AZ 87
23
Continue on AZ 87
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Winslow–Kayenta Highway
24
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 264
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Arizona State Highway 264
25
Turn left onto Indian Route 60
6.6 mi
·
16 min
·
Indian Route 60
26
Continue on H65
8.4 mi
·
20 min
·
Hopi Route 65
27
Continue on N65
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Navajo Route 65
28
Continue on Indian Route 65
2.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Indian Route 65
29
Continue on N65
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Navajo Route 65
30
At end of road, turn right onto N4
4.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Navajo Route 4
31
Continue on Indian Route 4
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Indian Route 4
32
Continue on N4
6.4 mi
·
15 min
·
Navajo Route 4
33
Turn right
0.3 mi
·
1 min
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 159.9 miles from Avondale, AZ, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.9 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cottonwood, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Avondale, 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 Avondale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 319.9 miles and 6h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Avondale, 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 90.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 159.9 mi from Avondale, AZ · 2h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
160 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 159.9 miles from Avondale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.6 miles.
Arriving in Cottonwood, AZ
The final approach into Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.67 one way
$127.33 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
112 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $67.23 | $134.46 |
| premium | $5.59 | $70.37 | $140.73 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $71.07 | $142.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96 | 1 | $33.59 | $15.36 |
| Efficient EV | 80 | 0 | $27.99 | $12.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 128 | 1 | $44.79 | $20.47 |
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Destination
Cottonwood, AZ
Afternoon in Cottonwood on Sunday
Local time
3:19 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
17 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 32m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Avondale, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 319.9 miles and takes about 6h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, Purple Heart Trail, Winslow–Kayenta Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 159.9 miles from Avondale, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $63.67 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 319.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (South Dysart Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Avondale, AZ and Cottonwood, AZ, road signs point toward Phoenix and Albuquerque.
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