Origin
Buckeye, AZ
Afternoon in Buckeye on Thursday
Local time
12:31 PM
MST
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buckeye, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
128.5 mi
207 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 20m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buckeye, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Cottonwood, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Buckeye, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 128.5 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, Bob Stump Memorial Parkway, Black Canyon 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 $25.60 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
64.2 miles from Buckeye, 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: 128.5 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 (39%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
The drive from Buckeye, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 128.5 miles and takes about 2h 30m, 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 38.2 miles.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,223 ft
870 ft
Total Climb
3,436 ft
Total Descent
981 ft
Highest Point
4,223 ft
~101 mi in
Elevation Range
3,353 ft
Notable High Points
4,223 ft at ~101 miles
+57 ft prominence
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 0.4 miles in near North 1st Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 128.5 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 0.4 miles (North 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North 1st Street
Turn right onto North 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
4.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 114
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
5
5.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
13.6 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward AZ 303 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 124A
Toward AZ 303 Loop North
6
49.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buckeye, AZ and Cottonwood, AZ, road signs point toward Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A, Payson and Jerome.
Finnie Flat
114.2 mi in
|
~2h 7m
260 To 89A
114.2 mi in
|
~2h 7m
Payson
114.2 mi in
|
~2h 7m
Jerome
114.2 mi in
|
~2h 7m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 38.2 mi | 38m |
| Bob Stump Memorial Parkway | 34.2 mi | 39m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 16.4 mi | 16m |
| Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway | 12.3 mi | 18m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 8.3 mi | 8m |
| South Miller Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| 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 Buckeye, AZ and Cottonwood, AZ.
1
Start on US 80 Hist
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
East Monroe Avenue
2
Turn right onto North 1st Street
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
North 1st Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on South Miller Road
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
South Miller Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 114
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 10
8.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.7 mi
·
2 min
Exit 124A
Toward AZ 303 Loop North
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
34 mi
·
39 min
·
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Use the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
10
Merge onto I 17
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 17
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
25 mi
·
24 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome
15
Turn left onto AZ 260
421 ft
·
11 sec
·
Finnie Flat Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on AZ 260
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft
·
7 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
18
Continue on AZ 260
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 260
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
20
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft
·
7 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
21
Continue on AZ 260
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
22
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft
·
2 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
23
Continue on AZ 260
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
24
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
145 ft
·
6 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
25
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
26
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft
·
7 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
27
Continue on AZ 260
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
28
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
144 ft
·
6 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
29
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
30
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
188 ft
·
8 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
31
Continue on AZ 260
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
32
Continue on AZ 260
420 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Main Street
33
Continue on AZ 89A
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
34
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.2 miles from Buckeye, AZ, or about 1h 16m 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 28 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.2 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 1h 58m
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 Buckeye, 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 Buckeye, AZ
This is one driving day of about 128.5 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Buckeye, 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 38.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 64.2 mi from Buckeye, AZ · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 64.2 miles from Buckeye, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.60 one way
$51.20 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
45 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $27.09 | $54.18 |
| premium | $5.59 | $28.29 | $56.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.37 | $56.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.49 | $6.17 |
| Efficient EV | 32.1 | 0 | $11.24 | $5.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 51.4 | 0 | $17.99 | $8.22 |
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Cottonwood, AZ
Afternoon in Cottonwood on Thursday
Local time
12:31 PM
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
8 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 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 Buckeye, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 128.5 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, Bob Stump Memorial Parkway, Black Canyon Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 64.2 miles from Buckeye, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.60 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 demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 128.5 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 0.4 miles (North 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Buckeye, AZ and Cottonwood, AZ, road signs point toward Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A, Payson and Jerome.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes. The route ranges from 870 ft to 4,223 ft elevation with about 3,436 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point along the way.
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