Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Show Low, AZ

Drive Time

3h 40m

Distance

174.9 mi

281 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 27m ★

6 AM

3h 40m

8 AM

4h 5m

10 AM

3h 49m

12 PM

3h 46m

3 PM

3h 50m

5 PM

4h 4m

8 PM

3h 32m

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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Phoenix, AZ

Carter Marchant

Show Low, AZ

Helena Jankovičová Kováčová

Trip Overview

Traveling from Phoenix to Show Low covers 174.9 miles of the Desert Southwest, typically taking about 3 hours and 39 minutes of drive time. Because the journey is manageable within a single day, you can easily complete it in one go without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $34 on fuel for the trip, making this a budget-friendly excursion. You will navigate via South 1st Avenue, West Madison Street, and South 1st Street to reach your destination. Since both cities are located within the Desert Southwest, you will notice a consistent regional atmosphere throughout your travel. This route works best for those who prefer an active, turn-heavy drive over a standard interstate cruise.

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

87.4 miles from Phoenix, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Drive Character

Prepare for a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this 174.9-mile journey is defined as a turn-heavy local drive. Unlike monotonous highway stretches, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will remain on local roads for the entirety of the trip. With 0 miles of uninterrupted driving on South 1st Avenue, you should anticipate frequent adjustments and a need for constant focus. The personality of this drive is technical and engaging, requiring you to navigate turns rather than settling into a cruise-control rhythm. Staying alert is essential as you transition through the local road network between these two Arizona hubs.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Globe-Show Low Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 83.5 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 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South 1st Avenue.

Route Complexity 5/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 174.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (East Maricopa Freeway): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South 1st Avenue

Turn left onto South 1st Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South 1st Avenue

Keep slight left at fork onto South 1st Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

2 mi into trip | ~5m in | East Maricopa Freeway

Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

2 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the ramp toward I 17 South, US 60 East

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 17 South, US 60 East

8.8 mi into trip | ~13m in | US 60

Take the exit onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe

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 154 Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Show Low, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.

Globe

8.8 mi in | ~13m | via US 60

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Globe-Show Low Highway	83.5 mi	1h 35m
Phoenix–Globe Highway	43 mi	55m
US 60	31.9 mi	39m
Maricopa Freeway	6.5 mi	7m
West Deuce of Clubs	2.3 mi	4m
North Broad Street	2 mi	3m
Live Oak Street	1.9 mi	3m
East Ash Street	1.1 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Globe-Show Low Highway — 83.5 mi, about 1h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Show Low, AZ.

Start on West Washington Street

322 ft · 18 sec · West Washington Street

Turn left onto South 1st Avenue

436 ft · 9 sec · South 1st Avenue

Use the left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto South 1st Avenue

350 ft · 14 sec · South 1st Avenue

Turn left onto West Madison Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · West Madison Street

At end of road, turn right onto South 1st Street

0.3 mi · 55 sec · South 1st Street

Turn left onto East Lincoln Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Lincoln Street

Turn right onto South 7th Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · South 7th Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway

290 ft · 8 sec · East Maricopa Freeway

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward I 17 South, US 60 East Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 17; US 60

6.5 mi · 7 min · Maricopa Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 60

28 mi · 32 min · US 60

Exit 154 Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist

43 mi · 55 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Continue on US 60

1.9 mi · 3 min · Live Oak Street

Continue on US 60

4.0 mi · 7 min · US 60

Continue on US 60

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Broad Street

Turn left onto North Broad Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Broad Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto East Oak Street

366 ft · 9 sec · East Oak Street

Turn right onto South Hill Street

0.3 mi · 39 sec · South Hill Street

Turn left onto US 60

1.1 mi · 2 min · East Ash Street

Turn left onto US 60; AZ 77

83 mi · 1 hr 35 min · Globe-Show Low Highway

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 60; AZ 77

2.3 mi · 4 min · West Deuce of Clubs

Arrive at destination

US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 39-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal preference. While the trip can be completed in one day, budget for at least one stop to break up the technical, turn-heavy sections of the road. Keep your $34 fuel estimate in mind when planning your budget, and ensure your vehicle is ready for a drive that relies entirely on local streets. To make the most of this trip, familiarize yourself with the specific turns on South 1st Avenue before you head out. A quick check of your route map will help you manage the frequent transitions efficiently, ensuring a smoother journey as you move toward Show Low.

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 87.4 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 1h 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.5 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 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 87.4 miles or 1h 55m 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 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Show Low, 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 174.9 miles and 3h 40m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Globe-Show Low Highway for about 83.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 87.4 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 1h 55m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Florence, AZ

87 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

Florence, AZ

Fuel and coffee

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

Florence, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.4 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 Globe-Show Low Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.5 miles.

Arriving in Show Low, AZ

The final approach into Show Low, 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 Show Low, 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

$34.81 one way

$69.62 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$36.76	$73.51
premium	$5.59	$38.47	$76.94
diesel	$5.64	$38.86	$77.71

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	52.5	$18.36	$8.40
Efficient EV	43.7	$15.30	$7.00
EV Truck/SUV	70	$24.49	$11.19

Gas CO2

61 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Phoenix, AZ

Evening in Phoenix on Sunday

Local time

5:49 PM

MST

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Show Low, AZ

Evening in Show Low on Sunday

Local time

5:49 PM

MST

Current temp

34°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

55°F

Florence, AZ

87 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

27 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 40m 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 Show Low, AZ covers 174.9 miles and takes about 3h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Globe-Show Low Highway, Phoenix–Globe Highway, US 60. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 87.4 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 $34.81 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.