Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Linden, AZ

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h 34m

Distance

170.5 mi

274 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 22m ★

6 AM

3h 34m

8 AM

3h 59m

10 AM

3h 43m

12 PM

3h 41m

3 PM

3h 44m

5 PM

3h 58m

8 PM

3h 27m

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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Trip Overview

The drive from Phoenix, AZ to Linden, AZ covers 170.5 miles and takes about 3h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on AZ 260, Beeline Highway, Red Mountain Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.2 miles on AZ 260. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.97 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

85.3 miles from Phoenix, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 170.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Phoenix, AZ to Linden, AZ covers 170.5 miles and takes about 3h 34m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

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

There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

AZ 260 is the longest continuous segment at about 80.2 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 10 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.

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 170.5 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 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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

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.

8

3.6 mi into trip | ~5m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 147 Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East

6

3.7 mi into trip | ~6m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East

8

4 mi into trip | ~6m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East

8

16.5 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 13 Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson

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 Linden, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Payson along the way.

Payson

16.5 mi in | ~21m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
AZ 260	80.2 mi	1h 45m
Beeline Highway	68.4 mi	1h 20m
Red Mountain Freeway	12.9 mi	15m
North Beeline Highway	4.5 mi	5m
Papago Freeway	1.4 mi	1m
North 7th Avenue	0.8 mi	1m
North Country Club Drive	0.5 mi	1m
West Washington Street	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: AZ 260 — 80.2 mi, about 1h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Linden, 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

0.8 mi · 1 min · North 7th Avenue

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec

Toward I 10 East: Tucson

4

Merge onto I 10

0.5 mi · 31 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

5

Continue on I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

6

Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.1 mi · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway

Exit 147 Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7

Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway

Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East

8

Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

12 mi · 14 min · Red Mountain Freeway

Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Exit 13 Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson Use the slight right lane.

10

Turn left onto AZ 87

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Country Club Drive

11

Continue on AZ 87

4.5 mi · 5 min · North Beeline Highway

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

12

Continue on AZ 87

68 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Beeline Highway

Use the left lane.

13

Turn right onto AZ 260

80 mi · 1 hr 45 min · AZ 260

Use the straight lane.

14

Turn right

115 ft · 8 sec

15

Arrive at destination

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 85.3 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 1h 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.2 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 38 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 85.3 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Linden, 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 170.5 miles and 3h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 AZ 260 for about 80.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 85.3 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 1h 42m into the drive

town in Gila County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Payson, AZ

85 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

Apache Junction, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Payson, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.3 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 AZ 260 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.2 miles.

Arriving in Linden, AZ

The final approach into Linden, 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 Linden, 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.

Tonto National Monument

National Monument

Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...

23 mi from route ~59 min detour $10 near mile 47

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.97 one way

$67.93 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.36	$35.95	$71.89
premium	$5.59	$37.53	$75.06
diesel	$5.61	$37.64	$75.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	51.2	$17.90	$8.18
Efficient EV	42.6	$14.92	$6.82
EV Truck/SUV	68.2	$23.87	$10.91

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Phoenix, AZ

Evening in Phoenix on Thursday

Local time

5:49 PM

MST

Current temp

93°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Linden, AZ

Evening in Linden on Thursday

Local time

5:49 PM

MST

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

44°F

Payson, AZ

85 mi in

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

53 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 34m 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 Linden, AZ covers 170.5 miles and takes about 3h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are AZ 260, Beeline Highway, Red Mountain Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 85.3 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 $33.97 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 170.5 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 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.7 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

On the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Linden, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Payson along the way.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Tonto National Monument.

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Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Linden, AZ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Linden, AZ

National Parks Near This Route

Tonto National Monument

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Phoenix, AZ

Linden, AZ

Same local time

53 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 34m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Linden, AZ

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