Trip from Colorado City, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

Drive Time

7h 19m

Distance

369.2 mi

594 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$73

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

7h 9m ★

6 AM

7h 20m

8 AM

7h 41m

10 AM

7h 27m

12 PM

7h 25m

3 PM

7h 28m

5 PM

7h 40m

8 PM

7h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Phoenix, AZ

Carter Marchant

Trip Overview

Traveling from Colorado City to Phoenix covers 370.8 miles of Arizona landscape, requiring approximately 6 hours and 16 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations unless you prefer a leisurely pace. You should budget about $72 for fuel to complete this trek through the Desert Southwest. Navigating this route involves transitioning from the northern reaches of the state down toward the capital. It is a straightforward trip that works well as a dedicated day-long excursion, provided you are prepared for a turn-heavy experience.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

184.6 miles from Colorado City, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 55m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route features 0% highway travel. You will navigate through West Township Avenue, South Central Street, and the Short Creek–Fredonia Highway to reach your destination. Since there are no long, uninterrupted stretches on major interstates, your focus will be required on the local roads that define this path. The lack of highway mileage means the road surface and traffic patterns shift frequently. Be ready for a driving experience that demands your full attention as you transition between these specific local corridors.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

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 93 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 222.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 369.2 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 222.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 365.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 365.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

222.1 mi into trip | ~4h 42m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

365.7 mi into trip | ~7h 12m in

Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles

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 200A Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, L...

365.9 mi into trip | ~7h 13m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson

367.3 mi into trip | ~7h 15m in

Take the exit toward 7th Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 144A Toward 7th Avenue

367.6 mi into trip | ~7h 15m in

Keep slight right at fork toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State Universi...

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Colorado City, AZ to Phoenix, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Flagstaff along the way.

Flagstaff

227.2 mi in | ~4h 48m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway	93 mi	1h 33m
Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway	83.6 mi	1h 53m
Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway	58 mi	1h 8m
Flagstaff-Cameron Highway	40.2 mi	48m
Black Canyon Freeway	35.3 mi	38m
Short Creek–Fredonia Highway	29.7 mi	34m
US Highway 89	6.4 mi	8m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway	5.8 mi	5m

Longest stretch: Arizona Veterans Highway — 93 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colorado City, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.

Start on Heritage Lane

69 ft · 5 sec · Heritage Lane

Turn right onto West Township Avenue

449 ft · 14 sec · West Township Avenue

Turn right onto CR 377

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Central Street

At end of road, turn left onto AZ 389

30 mi · 34 min · Short Creek–Fredonia Highway

Continue on AZ 389

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Pratt Street

Turn right onto US 89A

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Continue on US 89A

84 mi · 1 hr 53 min · Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway

At end of road, turn right onto US 89

57 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway

Continue on US 89

0.3 mi · 26 sec · US 89

Continue on US 89

1.4 mi · 2 min · Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway

Enter roundabout onto US 89

154 ft · 2 sec · Flagstaff-Cameron Highway

Continue on US 89

38 mi · 44 min · Flagstaff-Cameron Highway

Continue on US 89

6.4 mi · 8 min · US Highway 89

Continue on US 89

2.3 mi · 4 min · Flagstaff-Cameron Highway

Turn left onto Country Club Drive

0.3 mi · 51 sec · Country Club Drive

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 40

4.7 mi · 5 min · Purple Heart Trail

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec

Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min

Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix

Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A

93 mi · 1 hr 33 min · Arizona Veterans Highway

Continue on I 17

5.8 mi · 5 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 17

10 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on I 17

3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway

Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 17

25 mi · 28 min · Black Canyon Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec

Exit 200A Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 10

0.6 mi · 41 sec · Papago Freeway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Exit 144A Toward 7th Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec

Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue

445 ft · 16 sec · North 7th Avenue

Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Roosevelt Street

Turn right onto North 1st Avenue

29 ft · 0 sec · North 1st Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto North 1st Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · North 1st Avenue

Turn left onto West Adams Street

0.1 mi · 40 sec · West Adams Street

Turn right onto North 1st Street

408 ft · 18 sec · North 1st Street

Turn right onto East Washington Street

453 ft · 15 sec · East Washington Street

Arrive at destination

West Washington Street

Trip Plan

Planning for this 6-hour and 16-minute drive is simple, as you only need to account for one planned stop along the way. Since the route relies entirely on local roads, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Phoenix before dark. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $72 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local price variations. Use your one scheduled stop to stretch your legs and reset, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads requires more physical engagement than a standard interstate slog. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so adjust your pace to match the local road conditions.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 184.6 miles from Colorado City, AZ, or about 3h 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 81 miles or 1h 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 184.6 miles or 3h 55m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Colorado 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Colorado City, AZ

This is one driving day of about 369.2 miles and 7h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Colorado City, AZ.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 93 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 184.6 mi from Colorado City, AZ · 3h 55m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Flagstaff, AZ

185 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.

Popular next leg

Flagstaff, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

143.6 mi · 2h 34m

Pacing Suggestions

Fredonia, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Flagstaff, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 184.6 miles from Colorado City, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93 miles.

Arriving in Phoenix, AZ

The final approach into Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, 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

$73.48 one way

$146.95 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 129 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$77.59	$155.18
premium	$5.59	$81.21	$162.42
diesel	$5.64	$82.02	$164.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$73

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$98–$123

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 129.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	110.8	1	$38.77	$17.72
Efficient EV	92.3	1	$32.31	$14.77
EV Truck/SUV	147.7	1	$51.69	$23.63

Gas CO2

129 kg

EV CO2

43 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Colorado City, AZ

Afternoon in Colorado City on Sunday

Local time

3:37 PM

MST

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Phoenix, AZ

Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday

Local time

3:37 PM

MST

Current temp

61°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

23 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

7h 19m 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 Colorado City, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 369.2 miles and takes about 7h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway, Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 184.6 miles from Colorado City, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $73.48 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Colorado City, AZ to Phoenix, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Flagstaff along the way.

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Trip from Colorado City, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Phoenix, AZ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Colorado City, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Same local time

23 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 19m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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