Origin
New River, AZ
Afternoon in New River on Sunday
Local time
4:59 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New River, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
44m
Distance
35.6 mi
57 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 41m
★
6 AM
0h 45m
8 AM
0h 52m
10 AM
0h 47m
12 PM
0h 46m
3 PM
0h 48m
5 PM
0h 52m
8 PM
0h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New River, AZ
Hans D.
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
Traveling from New River to Phoenix covers 36.6 miles and typically takes about 40 minutes, making it a quick and straightforward journey through the Desert Southwest. Because of the short duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend approximately $7 on fuel for the trek, keeping your travel expenses low. The route primarily utilizes West New River Road, I-17, and New River Road to connect the two locations. Whether you are commuting or just heading into the city for the afternoon, this drive offers a simple, efficient connection between these Arizona points.
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
17.8 miles from New River, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate away from New River. Unlike a long-haul interstate cruise, this trip features a 0% highway share, emphasizing local roads over high-speed transit. You will not find any long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the longest segment on West New River Road is 0 miles before you encounter a turn. The road transitions dynamically, shifting from rural local paths into the denser infrastructure of the Phoenix area. Staying alert through the curves is essential, as the route lacks the monotonous rhythm of a traditional highway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 27.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Black Canyon Freeway and North Black Canyon Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near I-17 Frontage Road.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 35.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (I-17 Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I-17 Frontage Road
At end of road, turn left onto I-17 Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
32.1 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
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 200A
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, L...
8
32.3 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
7
33.7 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward 7th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 144A
Toward 7th Avenue
9
34 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State Universi...
Towns Along This Route
Between New River, AZ and Phoenix, AZ, road signs point toward Los Angeles and Tucson.
Los Angeles
32.1 mi in
|
~37m
Tucson
32.3 mi in
|
~37m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Black Canyon Freeway | 27.5 mi | 31m |
| North Black Canyon Highway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| North 1st Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Papago Freeway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| West Roosevelt Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West New River Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| New River Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| I-17 Frontage Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Black Canyon Freeway
— 27.5 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New River, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on North Kelley Road
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
North Kelley Road
2
Turn left onto West New River Road
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
West New River Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto I-17 Frontage Road
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
I-17 Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto New River Road
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
New River Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I-17 South: Phoenix
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 17
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 17
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 200A
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 10
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
Papago Freeway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 144A
Toward 7th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue
445 ft
·
16 sec
·
North 7th Avenue
15
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Roosevelt Street
16
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
North 1st Avenue
17
Keep slight right at fork onto North 1st Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Avenue
18
Turn left onto West Adams Street
0.1 mi
·
40 sec
·
West Adams Street
19
Turn right onto North 1st Street
408 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 1st Street
20
Turn right onto East Washington Street
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Washington Street
21
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since the entire trip takes less than an hour, you have significant flexibility in your departure time to avoid the worst of local traffic. Given the 40-minute duration, there are no scheduled stops required, allowing you to complete the journey in one continuous push. If you are planning for a round trip, remember to budget double the $7 fuel estimate to ensure you have enough coverage for the return. Pay close attention to navigation while on the local sections, as the turn-heavy nature of the route requires frequent adjustments. Keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving New River is a smart move to avoid any unnecessary stops once you reach the busier outskirts of Phoenix.
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 17.8 miles from New River, AZ, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.5 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 35.6 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.8 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New River, 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 New River, AZ
This is one driving day of about 35.6 miles and 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New River, 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 27.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.8 mi from New River, AZ · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.8 miles from New River, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
The final approach into Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, 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
$7.08 one way
$14.17 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $7.48 | $14.96 |
| premium | $5.59 | $7.83 | $15.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.91 | $15.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.74 | $1.71 |
| Efficient EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.11 | $1.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.98 | $2.28 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
4:59 PM
MST
Current temp
61°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
2 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
44m 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 New River, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 35.6 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Black Canyon Freeway, North Black Canyon Highway, North 1st Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.8 miles from New River, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.08 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 demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 35.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (I-17 Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between New River, AZ and Phoenix, AZ, road signs point toward Los Angeles and Tucson.
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