Origin
Deer Valley, AZ
Evening in Deer Valley on Sunday
Local time
7:04 PM
MST
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Deer Valley, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ
Drive Time
2h 14m
Distance
127 mi
204 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 5m
★
6 AM
2h 15m
8 AM
2h 34m
10 AM
2h 21m
12 PM
2h 20m
3 PM
2h 22m
5 PM
2h 33m
8 PM
2h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Deer Valley, AZ
Line Knipst
Flagstaff, AZ
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Traveling from the Desert Southwest of Deer Valley to the higher elevations of Flagstaff covers 127 miles of Arizona landscape. Expect a straightforward drive that typically takes about 2 hours and 14 minutes, making it an ideal day trip for those looking to escape the valley heat. You will primarily navigate the Arizona Veterans Highway, the Black Canyon Freeway, and the Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway. Budgeting approximately $25 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Because the entire journey fits easily into a single day, there is no need to plan for overnight stays unless you prefer a relaxed pace. This route serves as a practical transition from the lower desert regions into the heart of Northern Arizona.
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
63.5 miles from Deer Valley, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by a turn-heavy local personality that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will spend roughly 17% of your time on major highways, balancing faster transit with more technical segments. A significant portion of your journey includes a 91.1-mile stretch along the Arizona Veterans Highway, which serves as the backbone of the trip. As you transition between these road types, the character of the drive shifts from high-speed freeway travel to more winding local passages. Navigating these varied road conditions requires your full attention, ensuring the 127-mile trek feels dynamic rather than monotonous.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 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 91.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near West Pinnacle Peak Road.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 14m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 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.
4
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 17 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 17 North
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.
4
46.7 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17 / Arizona Veterans Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 91.1 mi | 1h 32m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 21.9 mi | 22m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| South Milton Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| West Pinnacle Peak Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| North 35th Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| Prescott–Flagstaff Highway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| North Black Canyon Highway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 91.1 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Deer Valley, AZ and Flagstaff, 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
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 17
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
9
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
10
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
11
Continue on AZ 89A
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
South Milton Road
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
449 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Historic Route 66
13
Arrive at destination
US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You can easily complete the 127-mile drive without needing any formal stops, though keeping your tank fueled at the $25 estimate is a smart move before heading out. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route can make the drive feel longer than the 2-hour and 14-minute duration suggests, so pace yourself accordingly. Because the longest stretch is over 91 miles, ensure your vehicle is ready for a solid block of steady driving before you leave Deer Valley. Checking your tire pressure and fluid levels beforehand will give you peace of mind as you head north toward Flagstaff.
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 63.5 miles from Deer Valley, AZ, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 80 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.5 miles or 1h 7m 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 48m
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 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 127 miles and 2h 14m.
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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 91.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.5 mi from Deer Valley, AZ · 1h 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
64 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.5 miles from Deer Valley, 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 91.1 miles.
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
$25.28 one way
$50.55 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $26.69 | $53.38 |
| premium | $5.59 | $27.94 | $55.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $28.22 | $56.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.33 | $6.10 |
| Efficient EV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.11 | $5.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.8 | 0 | $17.78 | $8.13 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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
Evening in Flagstaff on Sunday
Local time
7:04 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
28 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
2h 14m 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 Flagstaff, AZ covers 127 miles and takes about 2h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.5 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 $25.28 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 is a straightforward 2h 14m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point.
The route from Deer Valley, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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