Trip from Snowflake, AZ to Avondale, AZ

Drive Time

3h 56m

Distance

189.8 mi

305 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 43m ★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 22m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 3m
3 PM
4h 7m
5 PM
4h 21m
8 PM
3h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Snowflake, AZ, AZ

Snowflake, AZ

www.kaboompics.com

Downtown Avondale, AZ, AZ

Avondale, AZ

Atlantic Ambience

Trip Overview

The drive from Snowflake, AZ to Avondale, AZ covers 189.8 miles and takes about 3h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on South Beeline Highway, East 3rd Street North, Payson-Show Low Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.1 miles on South Beeline Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.77 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

94.9 miles from Snowflake, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 56m drive with frequent turns across 189.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Beeline Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 73.1 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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 157.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 189.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 157.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 157.5 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
157.2 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in

Take the exit toward AZ 202 Loop West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward AZ 202 Loop West
5
157.5 mi into trip | ~3h 17m in | AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway

Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
169.6 mi into trip | ~3h 31m in

Take the exit toward I 10 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 10 West
5
170.6 mi into trip | ~3h 32m in | I 10 / Papago Freeway

Merge onto I 10 / Papago Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
187.3 mi into trip | ~3h 51m in

Take the exit toward Dysart Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 129 Toward Dysart Road

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
South Beeline Highway 73.1 mi 1h 26m
East 3rd Street North 28.8 mi 34m
Payson-Show Low Highway 24.2 mi 30m
Papago Freeway 16.2 mi 18m
Hwy 260 15.9 mi 22m
Payson-Heber Highway 12.7 mi 17m
Red Mountain Freeway 12 mi 13m
Highway 277 1.9 mi 3m
Longest stretch: South Beeline Highway — 73.1 mi, about 1h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Snowflake, AZ and Avondale, AZ.

1

Start on East 3rd Street North

29 mi · 34 min · East 3rd Street North
2

Continue on Highway 277

1.9 mi · 3 min · Highway 277
3

At the end of the road, turn right onto Highway 260

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Highway 260
4

Continue on Hwy 260

16 mi · 22 min · Hwy 260
5

Continue on Payson-Heber Highway

13 mi · 17 min · Payson-Heber Highway
6

Continue on Payson-Show Low Highway

24 mi · 30 min · Payson-Show Low Highway
7

Turn left onto South Beeline Highway

73 mi · 1 hr 26 min · South Beeline Highway
8

Continue on North Country Club Drive

0.5 mi · 48 sec · North Country Club Drive
9

Take the exit right toward AZ 202 Loop West

0.4 mi · 49 sec · AZ 202 Loop West
10

Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway

12 mi · 13 min · Red Mountain Freeway
11

Take the exit slight left toward I 10 West

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 10 West
12

Merge slight right onto Papago Freeway

1.3 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
13

Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
14

Continue on Papago Freeway

15 mi · 17 min · Papago Freeway
15

Take the exit slight right toward Dysart Road

0.4 mi · 48 sec · Dysart Road
16

Turn left onto North Dysart Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Dysart Road
17

Turn right onto East Western Avenue

0.5 mi · 56 sec · East Western Avenue
18

Turn right onto North Central Avenue

89 ft · 5 sec · North Central Avenue
19

Turn right

26 ft · 2 sec
20

Arrive at your 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 94.9 miles from Snowflake, AZ, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.1 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 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 94.9 miles or 2h 2m 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 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avondale, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Snowflake, 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 Snowflake, AZ

This is one driving day of about 189.8 miles and 3h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Snowflake, 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 South Beeline Highway for about 73.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 94.9 mi from Snowflake, AZ · 2h 2m into the drive

Downtown Scottsdale, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Scottsdale, AZ

95 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

Scottsdale, AZ

Fuel and coffee

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

Scottsdale, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94.9 miles from Snowflake, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before South Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.1 miles.

Arriving in Avondale, AZ

The final approach into Avondale, 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 Avondale, 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

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 ~57 min detour $10 near mile 130.9
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.77 one way

$75.55 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $39.89 $79.78
premium $5.59 $41.75 $83.50
diesel $5.64 $42.17 $84.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 66.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56.9 0 $19.93 $9.11
Efficient EV 47.5 0 $16.61 $7.59
EV Truck/SUV 75.9 0 $26.57 $12.15

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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

Snowflake, AZ

Late night in Snowflake on Monday

Local time

4:42 AM

MST

Current temp

34°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Avondale, AZ

Late night in Avondale on Monday

Local time

4:42 AM

MST

Current temp

57°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

23 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

3h 56m 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 Snowflake, AZ to Avondale, AZ covers 189.8 miles and takes about 3h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Beeline Highway, East 3rd Street North, Payson-Show Low Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 94.9 miles from Snowflake, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.77 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 189.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 157.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 157.5 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Snowflake, AZ to Avondale, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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