Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 3m
Distance
108.2 mi
174 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Chino Valley, AZ
Strange Happenings
If you are planning a quick getaway from the Desert Southwest, the 108.2-mile journey from Phoenix to Chino Valley is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 2 hours and 3 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route works perfectly as a single-day excursion, saving you the hassle of booking overnight stays. You should budget approximately $22 for fuel, making this an economical choice for a weekend outing. You will spend your time traveling across the heart of Arizona, transitioning from the lower desert elevations of Phoenix toward the higher terrain of Chino Valley. Since the drive is relatively short, it offers great flexibility for your schedule, allowing you to head out early and return home by evening without feeling fatigued.
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
54.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Expect a mixed drive that balances high-speed interstate travel with secondary highway navigation. You will spend about 56% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing the Black Canyon Freeway, the Arizona Veterans Highway, and AZ 69. The most significant stretch of the journey occurs on the Black Canyon Freeway, where you will cover 39.4 miles of uninterrupted pavement. As you progress, the road character shifts from the busy, multi-lane flow of the Phoenix metro area to the more localized feel of the state routes. This transition ensures that the drive remains engaging, requiring you to shift your focus from steady freeway cruising to the varying pace of regional Arizona roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near West Washington Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 108.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 1 miles (West Washington Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto West Washington Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 17 North, US 60 West: Flagstaff
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69 toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward AZ 89: Prescott, Chino Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Chino Valley, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Prescott along the way.
Prescott
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Black Canyon Freeway | 39.4 mi | 43m |
| AZ 69 | 21.6 mi | 25m |
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 13.4 mi | 13m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| Prescott–Ash Fork Highway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| Fain Road | 7.6 mi | 9m |
| Prescott–Flagstaff Highway | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| West Washington Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Chino Valley, AZ.
Start on West Washington Street
Keep slight right at fork onto West Washington Street
Continue on West Adams Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 17; US 60
Continue on I 17
Continue on I 17
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69
Turn right onto Fain Road
Continue on AZ 89A
Take the exit
Turn right onto AZ 89
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
Continue on AZ 89
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
Continue on AZ 89
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
Continue on AZ 89
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
Continue on AZ 89
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 2-hour drive, consider departing Phoenix early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns near the city. Since there are no mandatory stops required to reach your destination, you have the freedom to drive the entire 108.2 miles in one go, though taking a break remains a smart way to stay alert. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the metro area, as the $22 estimate assumes steady travel conditions. Given that the route is entirely within Arizona, you will find the infrastructure consistent and easy to navigate. A helpful tip is to account for potential traffic fluctuations on the Black Canyon Freeway, as this long stretch is the most critical segment of your transit time.
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.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.1 miles or 1h 1m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chino Valley, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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 108.2 miles and 2h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.1 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 54.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Chino Valley, 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 Chino Valley, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$21.53 one way
$43.07 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $22.74 | $45.48 |
| premium | $5.59 | $23.80 | $47.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.04 | $48.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.36 | $5.19 |
| Efficient EV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.47 | $4.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.15 | $6.92 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Chino Valley on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
MST
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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