Origin
Deer Valley, AZ
Night in Deer Valley on Sunday
Local time
9:05 PM
MST
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Deer Valley, AZ to Black Canyon City, AZ
Drive Time
33m
Distance
28.9 mi
46 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 31m
★
6 AM
0h 34m
8 AM
0h 40m
10 AM
0h 36m
12 PM
0h 35m
3 PM
0h 36m
5 PM
0h 39m
8 PM
0h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Deer Valley, AZ
Line Knipst
Black Canyon City, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick getaway from the Phoenix metro area, this 28.9-mile trip from Deer Valley to Black Canyon City is an ideal candidate for a one-day excursion. You can expect to spend about 33 minutes behind the wheel, making it a highly efficient transition between these two Desert Southwest locations. With a fuel budget of approximately $6, the route is both affordable and straightforward. Because the travel time is so brief, you do not need to worry about splitting the trip into multiple days. It serves as a practical, no-nonsense connection for travelers looking to move north quickly without a long time commitment.
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
14.4 miles from Deer Valley, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey is defined by a highway-focused profile, with 76% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will begin your trek on the Black Canyon Freeway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 21.9 miles. As you progress, the route transitions onto the Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway and finally the South Old Black Canyon Highway. You should prepare for a consistent, high-speed pace that characterizes this corridor. While the road is efficient, expect a steady, focused drive rather than a winding or technical backroad experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Black Canyon Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 21.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Black Canyon Freeway and Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near West Pinnacle Peak Road.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.9 miles you will encounter 8 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 1 miles (West Pinnacle Peak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Pinnacle Peak Road
At end of road, turn right onto West Pinnacle Peak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
North Black Canyon Highway
Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge onto I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
27 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward Rock Springs, Black Canyon City
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 242
Toward Rock Springs, Black Canyon City
7
27.5 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
South Old Black Canyon Highway
At end of road, turn right onto South Old Black Canyon Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Deer Valley, AZ to Black Canyon City, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Rock Springs along the way.
Rock Springs
27 mi in
|
~30m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Black Canyon Freeway | 21.9 mi | 22m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| South Old Black Canyon Highway | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Pinnacle Peak Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| North 35th Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| Rock Springs Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Black Canyon Highway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Palm Lane | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Black Canyon Freeway
— 21.9 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Deer Valley, AZ and Black Canyon City, AZ.
1
Start on North 35th Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North 35th Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto West Pinnacle Peak Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Pinnacle Peak Road
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 17 North
5
Merge onto I 17
22 mi
·
22 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on I 17
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 242
Toward Rock Springs, Black Canyon City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto Rock Springs Road
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Rock Springs Road
9
At end of road, turn right onto South Old Black Canyon Highway
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Old Black Canyon Highway
Use the none lane.
10
Turn right onto East Palm Lane
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Palm Lane
11
Arrive at destination
East Palm Lane
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 33-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 28.9-mile stretch without needing any scheduled stops, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise before merging onto the Black Canyon Freeway. Given the high highway percentage, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained speeds during that 21.9-mile main stretch. A helpful tip for this specific route is to check traffic flow out of Deer Valley before you head out, as the freeway can occasionally experience congestion during peak commuting hours. Enjoy the simplicity of this quick, direct path to your destination.
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 14.4 miles from Deer Valley, AZ, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.9 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 28.9 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.4 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Black Canyon City, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Deer Valley, 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 Deer Valley, AZ
This is one driving day of about 28.9 miles and 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Deer Valley, 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 Black Canyon Freeway for about 21.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.4 mi from Deer Valley, AZ · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 28.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.4 miles from Deer Valley, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Black Canyon City, AZ
The final approach into Black Canyon City, 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 Black Canyon City, 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
$5.75 one way
$11.50 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $6.07 | $12.15 |
| premium | $5.59 | $6.36 | $12.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.42 | $12.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.03 | $1.39 |
| Efficient EV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.53 | $1.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.6 | 0 | $4.05 | $1.85 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Black Canyon City, AZ
Night in Black Canyon City on Sunday
Local time
9:05 PM
MST
Current temp
87°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
29 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
33m 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 Deer Valley, AZ to Black Canyon City, AZ covers 28.9 miles and takes about 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Black Canyon Freeway, Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway, South Old Black Canyon Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.4 miles from Deer Valley, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.75 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (West Pinnacle Peak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Deer Valley, AZ to Black Canyon City, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Rock Springs along the way.
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