The drive from Avondale, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 113.7 miles and takes about 2h 12m 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, Agua Fria Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.2 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.65 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.
Midpoint
56.8 miles from Avondale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 113.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Avondale, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 113.7 miles and takes about 2h 12m, 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 37 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 38.2 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.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 113.7 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 22 key points
These 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoen...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Avondale, AZ and Cottonwood, AZ, road signs point toward Phoenix, Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A, Payson and Jerome.
Phoenix
27.1 mi in|~33m
Finnie Flat
99.4 mi in|~1h 49m
260 To 89A
99.4 mi in|~1h 49m
Payson
99.4 mi in|~1h 49m
Jerome
99.4 mi in|~1h 49m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway
38.2 mi
38m
Black Canyon Freeway
23.2 mi
24m
Agua Fria Freeway
20.5 mi
23m
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
12.3 mi
18m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi
9m
Papago Freeway
3.2 mi
3m
South Dysart Road
1.5 mi
2m
South Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 38.2 mi, about 38m
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: PhoenixUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
3.2 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 133BUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
20 mi·23 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 23Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, PhoenixUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, PhoenixUse the 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 straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the 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
25 mi·24 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome
18
Turn left onto AZ 260
421 ft·11 sec·Finnie Flat Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on AZ 260
0.5 mi·58 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
21
Continue on AZ 260
0.4 mi·41 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
22
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
23
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
24
Continue on AZ 260
1.1 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
25
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft·2 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
26
Continue on AZ 260
1.0 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
27
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
145 ft·6 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
28
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
29
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
30
Continue on AZ 260
2.1 mi·2 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
31
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
144 ft·6 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
32
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
33
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
188 ft·8 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
34
Continue on AZ 260
4.7 mi·7 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
35
Continue on AZ 260
420 ft·12 sec·South Main Street
36
Continue on AZ 89A
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
37
Arrive at destination
US 89A Historic
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.8 miles from Avondale, AZ, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.2 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.8 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
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 113.7 miles and 2h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Avondale, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 38.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.8 mi from Avondale, AZ
· 1h 6m into the drive
The midpoint is around 56.8 miles from Avondale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$10
near mile 101.9
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.1
0
$11.94
$5.46
Efficient EV
28.4
0
$9.95
$4.55
EV Truck/SUV
45.5
0
$15.92
$7.28
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Avondale, AZ
Late night
in Avondale on Saturday
Local time
5:23 AM
MST
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cottonwood, AZ
Late night
in Cottonwood on Saturday
Local time
5:23 AM
MST
Current temp
81°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
9 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
2h 12m 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 Avondale, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 113.7 miles and takes about 2h 12m 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, Agua Fria Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.8 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 $22.65 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 113.7 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, Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A, Payson and Jerome.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
