Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Chino Valley, AZ

Drive 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

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 55m ★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 21m
10 AM
2h 10m
12 PM
2h 8m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m

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 Chino Valley, AZ, AZ

Chino Valley, AZ

Strange Happenings

Trip Overview

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 .

Drive Character

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.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
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 39.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 6/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

6
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | West Washington Street

Keep slight right at fork onto West Washington Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
2 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward I 17 North, US 60 West: Flagstaff

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 17 North, US 60 West: Flagstaff
5
2.1 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway

Merge onto I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway

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

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
63.8 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | AZ 69

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

Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
6
98.9 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Take the exit toward AZ 89: Prescott, Chino Valley

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 317 Toward AZ 89: Prescott, Chino Valley

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Chino Valley, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Prescott along the way.

Prescott

63.8 mi in | ~1h 11m | via AZ 69

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: Black Canyon Freeway — 39.4 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Washington Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street
Use the none lane.
2

Keep slight right at fork onto West Washington Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · West Washington Street
Use the right lane.
3

Continue on West Adams Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Adams Street
Use the none lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward I 17 North, US 60 West: Flagstaff
5

Merge onto I 17; US 60

39 mi · 43 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 17

8.9 mi · 9 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 17

13 mi · 13 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
8

Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69

22 mi · 25 min · AZ 69
Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
9

Turn right onto Fain Road

7.6 mi · 9 min · Fain Road
10

Continue on AZ 89A

5.9 mi · 6 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
Use the none lane.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 44 sec
Exit 317 Toward AZ 89: Prescott, Chino Valley
12

Turn right onto AZ 89

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
13

Enter roundabout onto AZ 89

103 ft · 1 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
14

Continue on AZ 89

0.9 mi · 1 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
15

Enter roundabout onto AZ 89

136 ft · 1 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
16

Continue on AZ 89

3.7 mi · 4 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
17

Enter roundabout onto AZ 89

150 ft · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
18

Continue on AZ 89

0.8 mi · 53 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
19

Enter roundabout onto AZ 89

151 ft · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
20

Continue on AZ 89

2.8 mi · 3 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
21

Arrive at destination

AZ 89

Trip Plan

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.

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 54.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.4 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 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.

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 108.2 miles and 2h 3m.

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 Black Canyon Freeway for about 39.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown New River, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

New River, AZ

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Prescott Valley, AZ

Fuel and coffee

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

New River, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 54.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Chino Valley, AZ

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.53 one way

$43.07 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
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.

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

4:06 PM

MST

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chino Valley, AZ

Afternoon in Chino Valley on Sunday

Local time

4:06 PM

MST

Current temp

38°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

23 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

2h 3m 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 Chino Valley, AZ covers 108.2 miles and takes about 2h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Black Canyon Freeway, AZ 69, Arizona Veterans Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.1 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 $21.53 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 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.
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.
On the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Chino Valley, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Prescott along the way.

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