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Trip from First Mesa, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

4h 32m

Distance

254.2 mi

409 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 19m ★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 59m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 24m

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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Downtown Deer Valley, AZ, AZ

Deer Valley, AZ

Line Knipst

Trip Overview

The drive from First Mesa, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ covers 254.2 miles and takes about 4h 32m 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 $50.64 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

127.1 miles from First Mesa, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 254.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 4h 32m drive with frequent turns across 254.2 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 254.2 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 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 129.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in

At end of road, turn left

Navigation decision point

5
129.4 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in

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

Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flags...
6
129.6 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in

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

Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
8
252.6 mi into trip | ~4h 29m in

Take the exit toward Deer Valley Road, Rose Garden Lane

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 215B Toward Deer Valley Road, Rose Garden Lane
5
253 mi into trip | ~4h 30m in | West Deer Valley Road

Turn right onto West Deer Valley Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between First Mesa, AZ and Deer Valley, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.

Flagstaff

129.4 mi in | ~2h 23m

Phoenix

129.6 mi in | ~2h 23m

Main Roads

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 20 mi 21m
Arizona State Highway 264 7.7 mi 9m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway 5.8 mi 5m
AZ 87 4.1 mi 4m
North Black Canyon Highway 3.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Arizona Veterans Highway — 93 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between First Mesa, AZ and Deer Valley, AZ.

1

Start on this road

0.2 mi · 47 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn left

286 ft · 13 sec
3

Turn right

247 ft · 11 sec
4

At end of road, turn right onto AZ 264

7.7 mi · 9 min · Arizona State Highway 264
5

Turn left onto AZ 87

17 mi · 19 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
6

Continue on AZ 87

4.1 mi · 4 min · AZ 87
7

Continue on AZ 87

39 mi · 44 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
8

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
9

Merge onto I 40; US 180

61 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Purple Heart Trail
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
11

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
12

Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A

93 mi · 1 hr 33 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
13

Continue on I 17

5.8 mi · 5 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 17

10 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Continue on I 17

3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
16

Continue on I 17

9.5 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 215B Toward Deer Valley Road, Rose Garden Lane Use the slight right lane.
18

Turn straight onto North Black Canyon Highway

0.1 mi · 14 sec · North Black Canyon Highway
19

Turn right onto West Deer Valley Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · West Deer Valley Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Turn right onto North 35th Avenue

37 ft · 0 sec · North 35th Avenue
21

Arrive at destination

North 35th Avenue

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 127.1 miles from First Mesa, AZ, or about 2h 20m 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 56 miles or 1h 6m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 127.1 miles or 2h 20m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 43m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving First Mesa, 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 First Mesa, AZ

This is one driving day of about 254.2 miles and 4h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from First Mesa, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break 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 127.1 mi from First Mesa, AZ · 2h 20m into the drive

city in Yavapai and Coconino counties in Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sedona, AZ

127 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

Sedona, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ

98.4 mi · 1h 53m

Pacing Suggestions

Dilkon, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Flagstaff, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 127.1 miles from First Mesa, 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 Deer Valley, AZ

The final approach into Deer Valley, 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 Deer Valley, AZ.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle National Monument

National Monument

Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 near mile 175.3
Caution: High Levels of Visitation
View on nps.gov
Walnut Canyon National Monument

Walnut Canyon National Monument

National Monument

Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour $25 near mile 122.7
View on nps.gov
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

National Monument

The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour $25 near mile 122.7
View on nps.gov
Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument

National Monument

Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...

15 mi from route ~38 min detour $10 near mile 175.3
View on nps.gov
Wupatki National Monument

Wupatki National Monument

National Monument

Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour $25 near mile 113.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.64 one way

$101.28 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $53.59 $107.18
premium $5.59 $55.95 $111.91
diesel $5.61 $56.12 $112.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$51

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 88.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 76.3 0 $26.69 $12.20
Efficient EV 63.6 0 $22.24 $10.17
EV Truck/SUV 101.7 1 $35.59 $16.27

Gas CO2

89 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

First Mesa, AZ

Night in First Mesa on Thursday

Local time

11:45 PM

MST

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Deer Valley, AZ

Night in Deer Valley on Thursday

Local time

11:45 PM

MST

Current temp

88°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

49 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

4h 32m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from First Mesa, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ covers 254.2 miles and takes about 4h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, Purple Heart Trail, Winslow–Kayenta Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 127.1 miles from First Mesa, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $50.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 254.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 129.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between First Mesa, AZ and Deer Valley, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.

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