Origin
Snowflake, AZ
Afternoon in Snowflake on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
MST
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Snowflake, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
173.2 mi
279 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 26m
★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Snowflake, AZ
www.kaboompics.com
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
Traveling from Snowflake to Phoenix covers 173.3 miles of the Desert Southwest, typically taking about 2 hours and 58 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $34 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will primarily navigate via Highway 277 and Highway 260. This route offers a straightforward connection between these two Arizona locations, making it a practical choice if you are looking to complete your travel within a few hours.
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
86.6 miles from Snowflake, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between regional highways. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this path relies entirely on local roads, meaning you won't encounter long, high-speed highway stretches. In fact, the highway share for this trip is 0%, emphasizing the winding, hands-on nature of the journey. You will spend your time navigating technical sections rather than cruising on straightaways. Expect a tactile driving experience that requires you to stay alert through every curve and intersection along the way.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 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. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 157.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 173.2 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 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 9 key pointsThese 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
7
171.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 145A
Toward 7th Street
9
171.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 7th Street South, Downtown Cultural/Sports Facilitles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward 7th Street South, Downtown Cultural/Spor...
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 |
| 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 |
| North 7th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
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 Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on East 3rd Street North
29 mi
·
34 min
·
East 3rd Street North
2
Continue on AZ 277
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 277
3
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Highway 260
4
Continue on AZ 260
16 mi
·
22 min
·
Hwy 260
5
Continue on AZ 260
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Payson-Heber Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on AZ 260
24 mi
·
30 min
·
Payson-Show Low Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto AZ 87
73 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on AZ 87
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Country Club Drive
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
10
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 10
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
Papago Freeway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 145A
Toward 7th Street
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward 7th Street South, Downtown Cultural/Sports Facilitles
Use the left lane.
15
Turn straight onto North 7th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North 7th Street
16
Turn right onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
17
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this 173.3-mile route is a manageable drive, you have the flexibility to plan your departure time to suit your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop, you can easily pace your travel to avoid fatigue during the nearly three-hour duration. Ensure you have your $34 fuel budget ready before departing, as local roads may offer fewer refueling options than major interstates. Keep in mind that Highway 260 and Highway 277 require consistent focus, so avoid rushing through the turns. Planning your single stop in advance will help you maintain a steady, comfortable pace for the duration of the trip.
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 86.6 miles from Snowflake, AZ, or about 1h 52m 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 86.6 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 58m
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 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 173.2 miles and 3h 38m.
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 86.6 mi from Snowflake, AZ · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.6 miles from Snowflake, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.1 miles.
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
$34.47 one way
$68.94 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $36.40 | $72.80 |
| premium | $5.59 | $38.10 | $76.19 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.48 | $76.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52 | 0 | $18.19 | $8.31 |
| Efficient EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.15 | $6.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.3 | 0 | $24.25 | $11.08 |
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.
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
43°F
Payson, 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 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 38m 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 Phoenix, AZ covers 173.2 miles and takes about 3h 38m 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 86.6 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 $34.47 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 is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 173.2 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 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 Phoenix, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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