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...
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
2h 58m
Distance
123.1 mi
198 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Star Valley, AZ
Krishna Mantripragada
Hayden, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
The drive from Star Valley, AZ to Hayden, AZ covers 123.1 miles and takes about 2h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway, Tucson-Globe Highway, Apache Trail for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 33.9 miles on Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.52 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
61.5 miles from Star Valley, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 123.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (1%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Expect a 2h 58m drive with frequent turns across 123.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 20.3 miles in near AZ 188 / Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 58m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20.3 miles (AZ 188 / Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway): Navigation decision point; at 81.2 miles (US 60): Lane positioning matters here; at 84.1 miles (North Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto AZ 188 / Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 60
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto South Hill Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway | 33.9 mi | 47m |
| Tucson-Globe Highway | 32.9 mi | 46m |
| Apache Trail | 27 mi | 39m |
| South Beeline Highway | 16.5 mi | 21m |
| Payson-Show Low Highway | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| East Ash Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| North Broad Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| US 60 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Star Valley, AZ and Hayden, AZ.
Start on AZ 260
Turn left onto AZ 87
Turn left onto AZ 188
Continue on AZ 188
Turn left onto US 60
Continue on US 60
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Turn right onto South Hill Street
Turn left onto US 60
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 77
Turn right onto AZ 177
Continue on AZ 177
Turn right onto Velasco Avenue
Turn left onto Hayden Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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 27 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.5 miles or 1h 26m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hayden, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Star Valley, 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 Star Valley, AZ
This is one driving day of about 123.1 miles and 2h 58m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.5 mi from Star Valley, AZ · 1h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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.
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 61.5 miles from Star Valley, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Hayden, 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 Hayden, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$24.52 one way
$49.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $25.95 | $51.91 |
| premium | $5.59 | $27.10 | $54.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.18 | $54.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.9 | 0 | $12.93 | $5.91 |
| Efficient EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.77 | $4.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.23 | $7.88 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Star Valley on Thursday
Local time
8:56 PM
MST
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Hayden on Thursday
Local time
8:56 PM
MST
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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