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Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Joseph City, AZ

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 53m

Distance

222.3 mi

358 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 41m ★
6 AM
3h 54m
8 AM
4h 19m
10 AM
4h 2m
12 PM
4h 0m
3 PM
4h 4m
5 PM
4h 18m
8 PM
3h 46m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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seat of Maricopa County, largest city in, and capital of, the State of Arizona, United States

Phoenix, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Joseph City, AZ, AZ

Joseph City, AZ

Chris The Island

Trip Overview

The drive from Phoenix, AZ to Joseph City, AZ covers 222.3 miles and takes about 3h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Arizona Veterans Highway, Purple Heart Trail, Black Canyon Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.28 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

1 planned break

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

Midpoint

111.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 53m. Total distance: 222.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 53m drive with frequent turns across 222.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Arizona Veterans Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 90.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near West Washington Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 222.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 10 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 straight / slight right lanes.
5
141.7 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in

Take the exit toward I 40 East, Albuquerque

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

Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
5
221.3 mi into trip | ~3h 51m in | I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist / Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist / Main Street

Navigation decision point

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Joseph City, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.

Albuquerque

141.7 mi in | ~2h 29m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway 90.6 mi 1h 31m
Purple Heart Trail 78.4 mi 1h 19m
Black Canyon Freeway 39.4 mi 43m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway 8.9 mi 9m
West Washington Street 1.2 mi 2m
Main Street 1 mi 1m
West Adams Street 0.8 mi 1m
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway 0.6 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Arizona Veterans Highway — 90.6 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West Washington Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
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
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 straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 17

8.9 mi · 9 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 17

13 mi · 13 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 17

77 mi · 1 hr 17 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
9

Continue on I 17; AZ 89A

0.6 mi · 43 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
10

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
11

Merge onto I 40

78 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Purple Heart Trail
12

Take the exit onto I 40 BUS

0.5 mi · 1 min · I 40 BUS
Toward I 40 Business: Joseph City
13

Turn left onto I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist

0.2 mi · 28 sec · I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
14

At end of road, turn right onto I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist

1.0 mi · 1 min · Main Street
15

Arrive at destination

I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 111.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 49 miles or 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 111.1 miles or 1h 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 3h 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Joseph City, 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 222.3 miles and 3h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Phoenix, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 90.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 111.1 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 1h 59m into the drive

city in Yavapai and Coconino counties in Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Sedona, AZ

111 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

New River, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sedona, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 111.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.6 miles.

Arriving in Joseph City, AZ

The final approach into Joseph City, 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 Joseph City, AZ.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle National Monument

National Monument

Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 near mile 92
Caution: High Levels of Visitation
View on nps.gov
Walnut Canyon National Monument

Walnut Canyon National Monument

National Monument

Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour $25 near mile 153.3
View on nps.gov
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

National Monument

The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour $25 near mile 153.3
View on nps.gov
Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument

National Monument

Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour $10 near mile 92
View on nps.gov
Wupatki National Monument

Wupatki National Monument

National Monument

Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour $25 near mile 153.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.28 one way

$88.57 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 78 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $46.87 $93.73
premium $5.59 $48.93 $97.86
diesel $5.61 $49.08 $98.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 77.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 66.7 0 $23.34 $10.67
Efficient EV 55.6 0 $19.45 $8.89
EV Truck/SUV 88.9 1 $31.12 $14.23

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Phoenix, AZ

Afternoon in Phoenix on Thursday

Local time

12:51 PM

MST

Current temp

93°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Joseph City, AZ

Afternoon in Joseph City on Thursday

Local time

12:51 PM

MST

Current temp

37°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

56 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

3h 53m 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 Joseph City, AZ covers 222.3 miles and takes about 3h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, Purple Heart Trail, Black Canyon Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 111.1 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 $44.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 222.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 Joseph City, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. There are 5 parks within detour distance of this route.

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