Origin
Payson, AZ
Evening in Payson on Sunday
Local time
5:22 PM
MST
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Payson, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
94.1 mi
151 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 50m
★
6 AM
1h 59m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 5m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Payson, AZ
Barnabas Davoti
Flagstaff, AZ
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Traveling from Payson to Flagstaff covers 94.1 miles of the Arizona high country, a journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 58 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip rather than requiring an overnight stay. You will navigate via the North Beeline Highway, the Payson-Winslow Highway, and Highway 87 to reach your destination. Budgeting roughly $18 for fuel should cover your transit costs between these two Desert Southwest locations. Since there are no designated stops on this path, you should plan your itinerary to be self-sufficient for the duration of the trip.
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
47 miles from Payson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway percentage. You will spend your time navigating winding sections that demand your full attention behind the wheel. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches—with the longest segment on the North Beeline Highway measuring zero miles—the road keeps you engaged with constant changes in direction. This is a technical drive that rewards drivers who prefer local roads over monotonous, straight-line highway stretches. Prepare for a steady, hands-on experience as you transition through the terrain.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Beeline Highway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Payson, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ is easy. At 1h 58m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Payson, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Beeline Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Payson-Winslow Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 87 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| State Route 87 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lake Mary Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Beulah Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Forest Meadows Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Milton Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
North Beeline Highway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Payson, AZ and Flagstaff, AZ.
1
Start on South Beeline Highway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Beeline Highway
2
Continue on North Beeline Highway
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Beeline Highway
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Payson-Winslow Highway
131 ft
·
3 sec
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
4
Exit the rotary onto North Beeline Highway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Beeline Highway
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Payson-Winslow Highway
115 ft
·
2 sec
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
6
Exit the rotary onto North Beeline Highway
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North Beeline Highway
7
Continue on Arizona State Highway 87
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Arizona State Highway 87
8
Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
9
Continue on Arizona State Highway 87
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Arizona State Highway 87
10
Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
11
Continue on North AZ Highway 87
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
North AZ Highway 87
12
Continue on Payson-Winslow Highway
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Payson-Winslow Highway
13
Continue on State Route 87
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Route 87
14
Turn left onto Lake Mary Road
54 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
Lake Mary Road
15
Turn right onto South Beulah Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Beulah Boulevard
16
Turn right onto West Forest Meadows Street
525 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Forest Meadows Street
17
Turn left onto South Milton Road
1.6 mi
·
4 min
·
South Milton Road
18
Continue on West Historic Route 66
449 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Historic Route 66
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the lack of formal stops along these 94.1 miles, make sure your vehicle is fueled up and your supplies are packed before departing Payson. Since the drive takes just under two hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule, though navigating winding local roads is often easier in daylight. Keep a close watch on your speed as you transition between the North Beeline Highway and Highway 87, as the technical nature of the turns can be deceptively slow. Use the $18 fuel estimate as a baseline for your budget, but keep a little extra set aside for unexpected detours. Being fully prepared for a non-stop journey will ensure you reach Flagstaff without unnecessary stress.
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 47 miles from Payson, AZ, or about 59m into the drive.
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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flagstaff, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Payson, 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 Payson, AZ
This is one driving day of about 94.1 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Payson, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47 mi from Payson, AZ · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 47 miles from Payson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Flagstaff, AZ
The final approach into Flagstaff, 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 Flagstaff, 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
$18.73 one way
$37.45 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $19.78 | $39.55 |
| premium | $5.59 | $20.70 | $41.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.91 | $41.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.88 | $4.52 |
| Efficient EV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.23 | $3.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.17 | $6.02 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Flagstaff, AZ
Evening in Flagstaff on Sunday
Local time
5:22 PM
MST
Current temp
30°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
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 58m 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 Payson, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ covers 94.1 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Beeline Highway, Payson-Winslow Highway, Highway 87. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47 miles from Payson, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.73 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.
The drive from Payson, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ is easy. At 1h 58m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Payson, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Payson, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Flagstaff, AZ
More from Payson, AZ
More trips to Flagstaff, AZ
Explore more options from Payson, AZ or browse trips ending in Flagstaff, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Payson, AZ or Flagstaff, AZ on MapSof.net.