Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Avondale, AZ

Drive Time

25m

Distance

18.5 mi

30 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 7 min
4 AM
0h 23m ★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 30m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 26m
3 PM
0h 27m
5 PM
0h 29m
8 PM
0h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Phoenix, AZ, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Carter Marchant

Downtown Avondale, AZ, AZ

Avondale, AZ

Atlantic Ambience

Trip Overview

Traveling from Phoenix to Avondale is a quick 18.5-mile journey across the Desert Southwest that typically takes about 26 minutes. Because of the short distance, this trip is easily completed in a single day, making it an efficient commute rather than a multi-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via North 7th Avenue, I-10 West, and the Papago Freeway to reach your destination. With a modest fuel budget of $4, it is a highly economical route for those moving between these two Arizona cities. Whether you are heading out for business or a local visit, the straightforward nature of this drive allows for significant planning flexibility. You can expect a seamless transition within the same region, ensuring you spend less time on the road and more time at your destination.

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

9.2 miles from Phoenix, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that balances city navigation with freeway travel. Unlike long-haul interstate routes, this trip features zero miles of uninterrupted highway on North 7th Avenue, requiring your full attention as you transition between local streets and the Papago Freeway. The route is entirely local in character, meaning you will not be dealing with long, monotonous stretches of highway. Instead, the experience is defined by the shifting traffic patterns typical of the Desert Southwest’s urban corridors. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for frequent adjustments to your speed and lane positioning throughout the 26-minute drive.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Papago Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 14.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Papago Freeway and North Dysart Road. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near North 7th Avenue.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 18.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | North 7th Avenue

Turn right onto North 7th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 10 West: Los Angeles

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
5
1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 10 / Papago Freeway

Merge onto I 10 / Papago Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
16 mi into trip | ~20m in

Take the exit toward Dysart Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 129 Toward Dysart Road
5
18.5 mi into trip | ~25m in | North Central Avenue

Turn right onto North Central Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Papago Freeway 14.2 mi 16m
North Dysart Road 1.6 mi 2m
North 7th Avenue 0.9 mi 1m
East Western Avenue 0.5 mi <1m
West Washington Street 0.5 mi 1m
North Central Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Papago Freeway — 14.2 mi, about 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Avondale, AZ.

1

Start on West Washington Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2

Turn right onto North 7th Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · North 7th Avenue
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto I 10

14 mi · 16 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 129 Toward Dysart Road Use the slight right lane.
6

Turn left onto North Dysart Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Dysart Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
7

Turn right onto East Western Avenue

0.5 mi · 56 sec · East Western Avenue
8

Turn right onto North Central Avenue

89 ft · 5 sec · North Central Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Turn right

27 ft · 1 sec
10

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a brief 18.5-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the duration is short enough to drive straight through without fatigue. Keep your $4 fuel estimate in mind, as local prices can fluctuate near the city center. A practical tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between North 7th Avenue and the I-10 West corridor before you start your engine. By keeping these turns in mind, you can navigate the turn-heavy segments with much more confidence.

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 9.2 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.2 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 18.5 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 9.2 miles or 12m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avondale, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, AZ

This is one driving day of about 18.5 miles and 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Phoenix, 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 Papago Freeway for about 14.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 9.2 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 12m into the drive

Downtown Tolleson, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tolleson, AZ

9 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

Goodyear, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tolleson, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 9.2 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Avondale, AZ

The final approach into Avondale, 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 Avondale, 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

$3.68 one way

$7.36 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 7 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $3.89 $7.78
premium $5.59 $4.07 $8.14
diesel $5.64 $4.11 $8.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 6.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 5.6 0 $1.94 $0.89
Efficient EV 4.6 0 $1.62 $0.74
EV Truck/SUV 7.4 0 $2.59 $1.18

Gas CO2

6 kg

EV CO2

2 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Phoenix, AZ

Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday

Local time

2:16 PM

MST

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Avondale, AZ

Afternoon in Avondale on Sunday

Local time

2:16 PM

MST

Current temp

57°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

4 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

25m 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 Phoenix, AZ to Avondale, AZ covers 18.5 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Papago Freeway, North Dysart Road, North 7th 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 9.2 miles from Phoenix, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.68 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 18.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Phoenix, AZ to Avondale, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Avondale, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

18.5 mi 25m

Explore more options from Phoenix, AZ or browse trips ending in Avondale, AZ.

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