Origin
Cottonwood, AZ
Afternoon in Cottonwood on Sunday
Local time
3:47 PM
MST
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cottonwood, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
63.5 mi
102 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cottonwood, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Flagstaff, AZ
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Traveling from Cottonwood to Flagstaff covers a 63.5-mile span that typically takes about 1 hour and 18 minutes to complete. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily manage the entire journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Arizona Veterans Highway, East Cornville Road, and South Milton Road. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel should keep your vehicle ready for the climb. Since both cities are located within the Desert Southwest, you can expect a consistent regional atmosphere throughout your travel. This route works best as a straightforward, efficient transit between two distinct Arizona hubs.
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
31.8 miles from Cottonwood, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route contains no highway-only segments. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Arizona Veterans Highway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 46.3 miles. The road demands your focus as you navigate the curves that define this regional path. Transitioning from the local roads onto South Milton Road brings you toward your destination, signaling the end of the more technical stretches. Prepare for a driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed highway travel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 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 46.3 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 Mingus Avenue.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Cottonwood, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ is easy. At 1h 18m 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 Mingus Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 14.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 14.7 miles (I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining.
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 Mingus Avenue
Turn right onto East Mingus Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
14.6 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
3
14.7 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway
Merge onto I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 46.3 mi | 46m |
| East Cornville Road | 12.7 mi | 21m |
| South Milton Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| Mingus Avenue Extension Bridge | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Prescott–Flagstaff Highway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| East Mingus Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Historic Route 66 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 46.3 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood, AZ and Flagstaff, AZ.
1
Start on US 89A Historic
121 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Main Street
2
Turn right onto East Mingus Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Mingus Avenue
3
Continue on Mingus Avenue Extension Bridge
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Mingus Avenue Extension Bridge
4
Continue on CR 30
13 mi
·
21 min
·
East Cornville Road
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
6
Merge onto I 17
46 mi
·
46 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
7
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
8
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
9
Continue on AZ 89A
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
South Milton Road
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
449 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Historic Route 66
11
Arrive at destination
US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just over an hour, you have significant flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. With no required stops listed for this 63.5-mile path, you can easily complete the trip in one go without worrying about long-distance fatigue. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route requires your full attention, so plan for a steady pace rather than rushing through the curves. Because the fuel cost is a modest $13, it is wise to ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Cottonwood to avoid any mid-trip inconveniences. Utilize the lack of forced stops to your advantage by tailoring your departure to avoid peak traffic times on the local roads.
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 31.8 miles from Cottonwood, AZ, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 63.5 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.8 miles or 43m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flagstaff, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, AZ
This is one driving day of about 63.5 miles and 1h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cottonwood, 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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 46.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.8 mi from Cottonwood, AZ · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 63.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.8 miles from Cottonwood, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Flagstaff, AZ
The final approach into Flagstaff, 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 Flagstaff, 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
$12.64 one way
$25.28 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $13.35 | $26.69 |
| premium | $5.59 | $13.97 | $27.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.11 | $28.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.1 | 0 | $6.67 | $3.05 |
| Efficient EV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.56 | $2.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.4 | 0 | $8.89 | $4.06 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Flagstaff, AZ
Afternoon in Flagstaff on Sunday
Local time
3:47 PM
MST
Current temp
30°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
16 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
1h 18m 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 Cottonwood, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ covers 63.5 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, East Cornville Road, South Milton Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.8 miles from Cottonwood, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.64 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 Cottonwood, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ is easy. At 1h 18m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Mingus Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 14.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 14.7 miles (I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from Cottonwood, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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