Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Cave Creek, AZ

Drive Time

49m

Distance

32.9 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Quick day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Phoenix, AZ to Cave Creek, AZ covers 32.9 miles and takes about 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on North 7th Avenue, I 10 East, Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.41 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

0 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

16.5 miles from Phoenix, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 49m drive with frequent turns across 32.9 miles of local and secondary roads.

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

There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

North 7th Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North 7th Avenue	Unavailable	Refreshing
I 10 East	Unavailable	Refreshing
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel	Unavailable	Refreshing
Papago Freeway	Unavailable	Refreshing
AZ 51 North	Unavailable	Refreshing
Piestewa Freeway	Unavailable	Refreshing
AZ 101	Unavailable	Refreshing
Pima Freeway	Unavailable	Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: North 7th Avenue — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on West Washington Street

2

Turn right onto North 7th Avenue

3

Take the ramp slight right toward I 10 East: Tucson

4

Merge slight left onto Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

5

Continue on Papago Freeway

6

Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East

7

Keep slight left to continue on AZ 51 North

8

Merge slight left onto Piestewa Freeway

9

Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop East

10

Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway

11

Take the exit slight right toward Tatum Boulevard

12

Keep slight left to continue on Tatum Boulevard

13

Turn straight onto North Tatum Boulevard

14

Turn right onto North Cave Creek Road

15

Continue on East Cave Creek Road

16

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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 16.5 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 24m into the drive.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 32.9 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 16.5 miles or 24m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 41m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cave Creek, 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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from Phoenix, AZ

This is one driving day of about 32.9 miles and 49m.

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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Scottsdale, AZ

16 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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

The final approach into Cave Creek, 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 Cave Creek, AZ.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 16.5 mi from Phoenix, AZ

Cave Creek, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Scottsdale, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 16.5 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$4.95	$6.41	$12.83
midgrade	$5.34	$6.91	$13.83
premium	$5.57	$7.21	$14.42
diesel	$6.37	$8.25	$16.49

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 11.5 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Phoenix, AZ to Cave Creek, AZ covers 32.9 miles and takes about 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are North 7th Avenue, I 10 East, Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 16.5 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 $6.41 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.