Trip from New River, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

Drive Time

40m

Distance

36.6 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Quick day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from New River, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 36.6 miles and takes about 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on West New River Road, I-17, New River Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.13 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

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

18.3 miles from New River, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day.

Drive Character

Expect a 40m drive with frequent turns across 36.6 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.

West New River Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
West New River Road	0 mi	0m
I-17	0 mi	0m
New River Road	0 mi	0m
I-17 South	0 mi	0m
Black Canyon Freeway	0 mi	0m
North Black Canyon Highway	0 mi	0m
I 10 East	0 mi	0m
Papago Freeway	0 mi	0m

Longest stretch: West New River Road — 0 mi, about 0m

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on North Kelley Road

2

Turn left onto West New River Road

3

At the end of the road, turn left onto I-17 Frontage Road

4

Turn right onto New River Road

5

Take the ramp left toward I-17 South: Phoenix

6

Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway

7

Continue on North Black Canyon Highway

8

Continue on Black Canyon Freeway

9

Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles

10

Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson

11

Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway

12

Take the exit slight right toward 7th Avenue

13

Keep slight right to continue on 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities

14

Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue

15

Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street

16

Turn right onto North 1st Avenue

17

Keep slight right to continue on North 1st Avenue

18

Turn left onto West Adams Street

19

Turn right onto North 1st Street

20

Turn right onto East Washington Street

21

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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 18.3 miles from New River, AZ.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles

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

Halfway reset

Around 18.3 miles

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

Final approach

Last hour of driving

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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from New River, AZ

This is one driving day of about 36.6 miles and 40m.

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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Peoria, AZ

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.

Popular next leg

Peoria, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

13.6 mi · 24m

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

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.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 18.3 mi from New River, AZ

Cave Creek, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peoria, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 18.3 miles from New River, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$4.95	$7.13	$14.27
midgrade	$5.34	$7.69	$15.38
premium	$5.57	$8.02	$16.04
diesel	$6.37	$9.17	$18.35

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 12.8 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from New River, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 36.6 miles and takes about 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are West New River Road, I-17, New River Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 18.3 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 $7.13 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.