Origin
Flagstaff, AZ
Afternoon in Flagstaff on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
MST
Current temp
30°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Flagstaff, AZ to El Mirage, AZ
Drive Time
2h 35m
Distance
142.9 mi
230 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 25m
★
6 AM
2h 35m
8 AM
2h 56m
10 AM
2h 42m
12 PM
2h 40m
3 PM
2h 43m
5 PM
2h 55m
8 PM
2h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Flagstaff, AZ
Mark Direen
El Mirage, AZ
Djamel Ramdani
Trip Overview
The drive from Flagstaff, AZ to El Mirage, AZ covers 142.9 miles and takes about 2h 35m 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, Black Canyon Freeway, Agua Fria Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.9 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.44 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
71.4 miles from Flagstaff, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 35m drive with frequent turns across 142.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 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 93.9 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 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 125.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 142.9 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 125.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
125.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
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 214C
Toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
7
126 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 101 Loop West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop West
8
137.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward 91st Avenue, Grand Avenue, Cactus Road, Surprise
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 11
Toward 91st Avenue, Grand Avenue, Cactus Road,...
6
138.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
US 60 / Grand Avenue
Turn right onto US 60 / Grand Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
142.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
North El Mirage Road
Turn right onto North El Mirage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 93.9 mi | 1h 34m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 20.7 mi | 22m |
| Agua Fria Freeway | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 5.8 mi | 5m |
| Grand Avenue | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| North Black Canyon Highway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| South Milton Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| West Thunderbird Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 93.9 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flagstaff, AZ and El Mirage, AZ.
1
Start on US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
500 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Historic Route 66
2
Turn slight left onto South Milton Road
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
South Milton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on I 17; AZ 79
94 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
4
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 214C
Toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward AZ 101 Loop West
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Agua Fria Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 11
Toward 91st Avenue, Grand Avenue, Cactus Road, Surprise
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on North 91st Avenue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North 91st Avenue
13
Turn right onto US 60
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto West Thunderbird Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Thunderbird Road
Use the none lane.
15
Turn right onto North El Mirage Road
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
North El Mirage Road
Use the none lane.
16
Arrive at destination
North El Mirage Road
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.4 miles from Flagstaff, AZ, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.9 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 80 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.4 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near El Mirage, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Flagstaff, 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 Flagstaff, AZ
This is one driving day of about 142.9 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Flagstaff, 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 93.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.4 mi from Flagstaff, AZ · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 71.4 miles from Flagstaff, 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 93.9 miles.
Arriving in El Mirage, AZ
The final approach into El Mirage, 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 El Mirage, 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
$28.44 one way
$56.88 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $30.03 | $60.06 |
| premium | $5.59 | $31.43 | $62.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $31.75 | $63.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.00 | $6.86 |
| Efficient EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.50 | $5.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.2 | 0 | $20.01 | $9.15 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
El Mirage, AZ
Afternoon in El Mirage on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
MST
Current temp
56°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
26 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
2h 35m 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 Flagstaff, AZ to El Mirage, AZ covers 142.9 miles and takes about 2h 35m 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, Agua Fria Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.4 miles from Flagstaff, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.44 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 142.9 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 125.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Flagstaff, AZ to El Mirage, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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