Origin
Prescott, AZ
Afternoon in Prescott on Sunday
Local time
4:59 PM
MST
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Prescott, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
2h 1m
Distance
99.7 mi
160 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 53m
★
6 AM
2h 1m
8 AM
2h 19m
10 AM
2h 7m
12 PM
2h 6m
3 PM
2h 8m
5 PM
2h 18m
8 PM
1h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Prescott, AZ
Hans D.
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
Traveling from Prescott to Phoenix covers 100.8 miles of Desert Southwest terrain, making for a straightforward one-day excursion. You can expect the journey to take roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending on local traffic conditions. Budget approximately $20 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. Since the entire drive is manageable in a single stretch, there is no need to plan for overnight stops along the way. Whether you are heading down for business or a change of scenery, this route is a practical link between these two Arizona hubs.
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
49.9 miles from Prescott, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will navigate through South Cortez Street, East Gurley Street, and the Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway during your transit. Interestingly, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you won't be dealing with high-speed, multi-lane freeway travel for this specific leg. Because the longest stretch on any single road like South Cortez Street is negligible, the journey feels more like a continuous series of turns. Prepare for a more technical driving experience than you would find on a major arterial highway.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 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 35.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near AZ 69 / Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 99.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (AZ 69 / Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
AZ 69 / Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69 / Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
96.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
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 200A
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, L...
8
96.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
7
97.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward 7th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 144A
Toward 7th Avenue
9
98.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State Universi...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Black Canyon Freeway | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway | 33.8 mi | 46m |
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 16.7 mi | 16m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 5.8 mi | 5m |
| North Black Canyon Highway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| East Gurley Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North 1st Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Papago Freeway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Black Canyon Freeway
— 35.3 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prescott, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on East Goodwin Street
78 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Goodwin Street
2
Turn right onto South Cortez Street
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
South Cortez Street
3
Turn right onto East Gurley Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Gurley Street
4
Continue on AZ 69
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69
33 mi
·
44 min
·
Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Merge onto I 17
17 mi
·
16 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
7
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 17
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 200A
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 10
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
Papago Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 144A
Toward 7th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue
445 ft
·
16 sec
·
North 7th Avenue
17
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Roosevelt Street
18
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
North 1st Avenue
19
Keep slight right at fork onto North 1st Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Avenue
20
Turn left onto West Adams Street
0.1 mi
·
40 sec
·
West Adams Street
21
Turn right onto North 1st Street
408 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 1st Street
22
Turn right onto East Washington Street
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Washington Street
23
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits your schedule without worrying about mid-trip lodging. Since the route is comprised entirely of local roads, keep a close eye on your speed and navigation as you transition between streets. You won't need to plan for formal rest stops, but it is wise to ensure your tank is topped off with your $20 fuel budget before departing Prescott. Pay close attention to the turn-heavy nature of the Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway to ensure you stay on the correct path. Taking this route during off-peak hours can help you avoid potential congestion on the local roads leading into the Phoenix area.
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 49.9 miles from Prescott, AZ, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.3 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.9 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Prescott, 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 Prescott, AZ
This is one driving day of about 99.7 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Prescott, 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 35.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.9 mi from Prescott, AZ · 1h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.9 miles from Prescott, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
The final approach into Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, 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
$19.84 one way
$39.68 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $20.95 | $41.91 |
| premium | $5.59 | $21.93 | $43.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $22.15 | $44.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.9 | 0 | $10.47 | $4.79 |
| Efficient EV | 24.9 | 0 | $8.72 | $3.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.96 | $6.38 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
4:59 PM
MST
Current temp
61°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
19 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 1m 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 Prescott, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 99.7 miles and takes about 2h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Black Canyon Freeway, Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway, Arizona Veterans Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.9 miles from Prescott, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.84 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 is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 99.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (AZ 69 / Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Prescott, AZ to Phoenix, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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