Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Evening in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
7:41 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Phoenix, AZ to New River, AZ
Drive Time
43m
Distance
35.4 mi
57 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 44m
8 AM
0h 51m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 47m
5 PM
0h 51m
8 PM
0h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
New River, AZ
Hans D.
Trip Overview
Traveling from Phoenix to New River covers 35.4 miles of the Desert Southwest, a quick trip that takes approximately 43 minutes. You will primarily navigate via West Washington Street, West Adams Street, and I-17 North to make the transition between these two Arizona locations. Because the total duration is under an hour, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. With an estimated fuel cost of only $7, it is an incredibly budget-friendly drive. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the simplicity of this short journey makes it an easy addition to your schedule.
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
17.7 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that requires your full attention as you navigate out of the city center. You will spend your time navigating local streets before transitioning onto I-17 North, though the route maintains a 0% highway share according to our data. There is no long-haul cruising here, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on West Washington Street. The drive is defined by its repetitive turns and local traffic flow rather than high-speed interstate cruising. Behind the wheel, you should anticipate a technical, hands-on experience that shifts quickly from urban surface streets to the northern desert approach.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 31.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Black Canyon Freeway and West Washington Street. You will hit about 9 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
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 35.4 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 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 9 key pointsThese 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.
7
34.1 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward New River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 232
Toward New River
6
34.3 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
North New River Road
Turn right onto North New River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Black Canyon Freeway | 31.9 mi | 35m |
| West Washington Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| West Adams Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| West New River Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| I-17 Frontage Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North New River Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Kelley Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Black Canyon Freeway
— 31.9 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and New River, 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
32 mi
·
35 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 232
Toward New River
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto North New River Road
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
North New River Road
Use the right lane.
8
At end of road, turn left onto I-17 Frontage Road
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
I-17 Frontage Road
9
Turn right onto West New River Road
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
West New River Road
10
Turn right onto North Kelley Road
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Kelley Road
11
Arrive at destination
North Kelley Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 43-minute 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 formal stops along the way, as the 35.4-mile distance is easily manageable in one sitting. Budget about $7 for fuel to ensure you reach New River without a second thought about your tank. To make the most of your drive, focus on the navigation through the initial West Washington and West Adams Street sections, as these turn-heavy areas require steady focus early on. Keep your GPS handy to handle the transition onto I-17 North smoothly.
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 17.7 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.9 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 35.4 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.7 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New River, 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 35.4 miles and 43m.
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 31.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.7 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.7 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in New River, AZ
The final approach into New River, 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 New River, 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
$7.05 one way
$14.09 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $7.44 | $14.88 |
| premium | $5.59 | $7.79 | $15.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.86 | $15.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.72 | $1.70 |
| Efficient EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.10 | $1.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.96 | $2.27 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
New River, AZ
Evening in New River on Sunday
Local time
7:41 PM
MST
Current temp
59°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
2 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
43m 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 New River, AZ covers 35.4 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Black Canyon Freeway, West Washington Street, West Adams Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.7 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 $7.05 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 35.4 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 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.
The route from Phoenix, AZ to New River, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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