Origin
Cave Creek, AZ
Evening in Cave Creek on Sunday
Local time
6:02 PM
MST
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cave Creek, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ
Drive Time
30m
Distance
17.3 mi
28 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 28m
★
6 AM
0h 31m
8 AM
0h 36m
10 AM
0h 33m
12 PM
0h 32m
3 PM
0h 33m
5 PM
0h 36m
8 PM
0h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cave Creek, AZ
Pho Tomass
Deer Valley, AZ
Line Knipst
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Cave Creek to Deer Valley, you are looking at a quick, efficient journey through the Desert Southwest. Spanning just 17.3 miles, this trip typically takes about 30 minutes to complete. You won't need an overnight stay for this distance, as it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip. With a fuel cost estimate of $3, it is a budget-friendly way to navigate between these two Arizona locations. Since the entire route stays within the same region, you can expect a familiar landscape throughout your travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
8.7 miles from Cave Creek, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will spend the bulk of your time on East Cave Creek Road, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 11.2 miles. From there, your navigation will shift onto North 35th Avenue and East Deer Valley Road to reach your destination. Because the road lacks typical highway infrastructure, you should prepare for a more involved driving experience with frequent turns and local traffic patterns.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 4 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Cave Creek Road is the longest continuous segment at about 11.2 miles.
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. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Cave Creek Road.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Cave Creek, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ is easy. At 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Cave Creek Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles (East Deer Valley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles (North 35th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
3 of 3 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Cave Creek Road
Depart onto East Cave Creek Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
11.2 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
East Deer Valley Road
Turn right onto East Deer Valley Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
17.3 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
North 35th Avenue
Turn right onto North 35th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Cave Creek Road | 11.2 mi | 19m |
| East Deer Valley Road | 6.1 mi | 11m |
| North 35th Avenue | <0.1 mi | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East Cave Creek Road
— 11.2 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cave Creek, AZ and Deer Valley, AZ.
1
Start on East Cave Creek Road
11 mi
·
19 min
·
East Cave Creek Road
Use the none lane.
2
Turn right onto East Deer Valley Road
6.1 mi
·
11 min
·
East Deer Valley Road
Use the none lane.
3
Turn right onto North 35th Avenue
37 ft
·
0 sec
·
North 35th Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Arrive at destination
North 35th Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 30-minute excursion, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 17.3-mile trip without needing to factor in any mid-route stops for fuel or rest. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between East Cave Creek Road and North 35th Avenue. Making this drive in one go is simple, but staying alert for local intersections is the best way to ensure a smooth arrival in Deer Valley.
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 8.7 miles from Cave Creek, AZ, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.2 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 17.3 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.7 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Deer Valley, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cave Creek, 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 Cave Creek, AZ
This is one driving day of about 17.3 miles and 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cave Creek, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on East Cave Creek Road for about 11.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.7 mi from Cave Creek, AZ · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 17.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.7 miles from Cave Creek, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Deer Valley, AZ
The final approach into Deer Valley, 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 Deer Valley, 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
$3.44 one way
$6.89 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $3.64 | $7.27 |
| premium | $5.59 | $3.81 | $7.61 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.84 | $7.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.82 | $0.83 |
| Efficient EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.51 | $0.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.42 | $1.11 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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
Deer Valley, AZ
Evening in Deer Valley on Sunday
Local time
6:02 PM
MST
Current temp
58°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
1 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
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 Cave Creek, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ covers 17.3 miles and takes about 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Cave Creek Road, East Deer Valley Road, North 35th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.7 miles from Cave Creek, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.44 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.
The drive from Cave Creek, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ is easy. At 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Cave Creek Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.2 miles (East Deer Valley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles (North 35th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cave Creek, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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