Drive Time
3h 49m
Distance
166.4 mi
268 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
The drive from Flagstaff, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 166.4 miles and takes about 3h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Route 66, South Ponderosa Parkway, East Butler Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.43 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
83.2 miles from Flagstaff, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 49m drive with frequent turns across 166.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Route 66 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Ponderosa Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Butler Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Purple Heart Trail | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| AZ 87 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Winslow–Kayenta Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| AZ 87 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 264 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Flagstaff, AZ and Cottonwood, AZ.
Start on West Historic Route 66
Continue on East Route 66
Turn right onto South Ponderosa Parkway
Continue on East Butler Avenue
Take the ramp left
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 87 North: Second Mesa
Turn left onto Winslow–Kayenta Highway
Continue on AZ 87
Continue on Winslow–Kayenta Highway
At the end of the road, turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
Turn left onto Indian Route 60
Continue on Hopi Route 65
Continue on Navajo Route 65
Continue on Indian Route 65
Continue on Navajo Route 65
At the end of the road, turn right onto Navajo Route 4
Continue on Indian Route 4
Continue on Navajo Route 4
Turn right
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.2 miles or 1h 54m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cottonwood, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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 166.4 miles and 3h 49m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.2 mi from Flagstaff, AZ · 1h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 83.2 miles from Flagstaff, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$32.43 one way
$64.87 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $34.97 | $69.94 |
| premium | $5.57 | $36.46 | $72.93 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $41.70 | $83.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.9 | 0 | $17.47 | $7.99 |
| Efficient EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.56 | $6.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.30 | $10.65 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Flagstaff on Saturday
Local time
8:21 AM
MST
Current temp
30°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Cottonwood on Saturday
Local time
9:21 AM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
58°F
Scottsdale, AZ
83 mi in
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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