Origin
Bullhead City, AZ
Morning in Bullhead City on Saturday
Local time
7:08 AM
MST
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bullhead City, AZ to Surprise, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 16m
Distance
196.5 mi
316 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bullhead City, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Surprise, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Bullhead City, AZ to Surprise, AZ covers 196.5 miles and takes about 3h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Mohave Valley Highway, Bullhead City–Kingman Highway, Bullhead City-Kingman Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.15 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
98.3 miles from Bullhead City, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
About the Cities
Starting in Bullhead City, AZ
Full guide →Bullhead City is in Northern Arizona.
Arriving in Surprise, AZ
Full guide →Sun City is a suburb 20 miles (30km) northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was built as a planned retirement community in Maricopa County in the 1960s. An adjacent retirement community Sun City West was built in the late 1970s; there is also a Sun City Grand. Directly northwest of the three "Sun City" suburbs is Surprise, Arizona.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 196.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 16m drive with frequent turns across 196.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Mohave Valley Highway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Bullhead City, AZ to Surprise, AZ is easy. At 3h 16m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Bullhead City, AZ to Surprise, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mohave Valley Highway | — | — |
| Bullhead City–Kingman Highway | — | — |
| Bullhead City-Kingman Highway | — | — |
| US 93 South | — | — |
| Hoover Dam–Kingman Highway | — | — |
| West Beale Street | — | — |
| US 93 | — | — |
| Purple Heart Trail | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Mohave Valley Highway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bullhead City, AZ and Surprise, AZ.
1
Start on 4th Street
20 ft
·
3 sec
·
4th Street
2
Turn right onto Mohave Valley Highway
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Mohave Valley Highway
3
Continue on Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
4
Continue on Bullhead City-Kingman Highway
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Bullhead City-Kingman Highway
5
Continue on Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
6
Continue on Bullhead City-Kingman Highway
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Bullhead City-Kingman Highway
7
Merge slight left onto Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
8
Keep slight right to continue on US 93 South: Kingman
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 93 South: Kingman
9
Merge slight left onto Hoover Dam–Kingman Highway
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hoover Dam–Kingman Highway
10
Continue on West Beale Street
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Beale Street
11
Turn left onto US 93, I 40, I 11 Future: Flagstaff, Phoenix
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 93, I 40, I 11 Future: Flagstaff, Phoenix
12
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
22 mi
·
22 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 93 South: Wickenburg, Phoenix
91 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
US 93 South: Wickenburg, Phoenix
14
Merge slight left onto Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
15
Keep slight right to continue on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
138 ft
·
6 sec
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
17
Exit the roundabout onto Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
138 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
19
Exit the roundabout onto Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
20
Keep slight right to continue on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
21
Keep slight right to continue on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
22
Continue on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
105 ft
·
4 sec
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
23
Keep slight right to continue on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Wickenburg-Phoenix Highway
200 ft
·
9 sec
·
Wickenburg-Phoenix Highway
25
Exit the rotary onto East Wickenburg Way
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Wickenburg Way
26
Continue on Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
27
Continue on Grand Avenue
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Grand Avenue
28
Continue on Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
29
Continue on Grand Avenue
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
30
Keep slight right to continue on Grand Avenue
15 mi
·
20 min
·
Grand Avenue
31
Turn sharp left onto North Dysart Road
318 ft
·
19 sec
·
North Dysart Road
32
Turn slight right onto West Santa Fe Drive
322 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Santa Fe Drive
33
Turn left onto West Cottonwood Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cottonwood Street
34
Turn right onto North Nash Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Nash Street
35
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 98.3 miles from Bullhead City, AZ, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
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 43 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.3 miles or 1h 38m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surprise, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bullhead City, 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 Bullhead City, AZ
This is one driving day of about 196.5 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Bullhead City, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.3 mi from Bullhead City, AZ · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 98.3 miles from Bullhead City, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Surprise, AZ
The final approach into Surprise, 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 Surprise, 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
$39.15 one way
$78.29 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $41.43 | $82.85 |
| premium | $5.59 | $43.25 | $86.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.38 | $86.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.63 | $9.43 |
| Efficient EV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.19 | $7.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.51 | $12.58 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Surprise, AZ
Morning in Surprise on Saturday
Local time
7:08 AM
MST
Current temp
88°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
2 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
3h 16m 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 Bullhead City, AZ to Surprise, AZ covers 196.5 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Mohave Valley Highway, Bullhead City–Kingman Highway, Bullhead City-Kingman Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.3 miles from Bullhead City, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.15 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Bullhead City, AZ to Surprise, AZ is easy. At 3h 16m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Bullhead City, AZ to Surprise, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Bullhead City, AZ to Surprise, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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