Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 17m
Distance
306.4 mi
493 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cottonwood, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Maryvale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Cottonwood, AZ to Maryvale, AZ covers 306.4 miles and takes about 6h 17m 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, Purple Heart Trail, Winslow–Kayenta Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $61.04 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
153.2 miles from Cottonwood, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 34m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 306.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a 6h 17m drive with frequent turns across 306.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 12.5 miles in near N65 / Navajo Route 65.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 306.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12.5 miles (N65 / Navajo Route 65): Navigation decision point; at 166.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto N65 / Navajo Route 65
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Camelback Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto West Camelback Road
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cottonwood, AZ and Maryvale, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Flagstaff
Phoenix
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 93 mi | 1h 33m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 61.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| Winslow–Kayenta Highway | 55.5 mi | 1h 4m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 32.1 mi | 35m |
| Arizona State Highway 264 | 11.7 mi | 14m |
| Navajo Route 4 | 10.4 mi | 25m |
| Hopi Route 65 | 8.4 mi | 20m |
| Indian Route 60 | 6.6 mi | 16m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood, AZ and Maryvale, AZ.
Start on this road
Continue on this road
Turn left onto N4
Continue on Indian Route 4
Continue on N4
Turn left onto N65
Continue on Indian Route 65
Continue on N65
Continue on H65
Continue on Indian Route 60
Turn right onto AZ 264
Turn left onto AZ 87
Continue on AZ 87
Continue on AZ 87
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40; US 180
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
Continue on I 17
Continue on I 17
Continue on I 17
Continue on I 17
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Black Canyon Highway
Turn right onto West Camelback Road
Turn left onto North 55th Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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 67 miles or 2h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.2 miles or 3h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maryvale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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 306.4 miles and 6h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 153.2 mi from Cottonwood, AZ · 3h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
153 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.
A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 153.2 miles from Cottonwood, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93 miles.
The final approach into Maryvale, 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 Maryvale, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$61.04 one way
$122.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $64.60 | $129.19 |
| premium | $5.59 | $67.44 | $134.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $67.65 | $135.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.9 | 1 | $32.17 | $14.71 |
| Efficient EV | 76.6 | 0 | $26.81 | $12.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 122.6 | 1 | $42.90 | $19.61 |
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Cottonwood on Thursday
Local time
2:48 PM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Maryvale on Thursday
Local time
1:48 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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