The drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Colorado City, AZ covers 379.6 miles and takes about 7h 31m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Arizona Veterans Highway, Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway, Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $75.62 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
189.8 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 29m into the drive
.
Colorado City is a city of 4,900 people (2018) straddling the Utah/Arizona border, although most of the city is on the Arizona side. The Utah portion is known as Hildale.
Colorado City is the largest and best-known polygamist community in the United States, and there are few facilities for travelers.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 31m. Total distance: 379.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 7h 31m drive with frequent turns across 379.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Arizona Veterans Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 90.6 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 2.8 miles in near I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 379.6 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 2.8 miles (I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.8 mi into trip|~6m in|I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
5.9 mi into trip|~9m in|US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
5
151.5 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
6
157.4 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
157.9 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|US 89 / Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Turn right onto US 89 / Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Colorado City, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$25
near mile 170.2
The rich history of Pipe Spring and its flowing water comes alive as you explore the traditions of the Kaibab Paiute and the Mormon settlers through the museum, historic fort, cabins, and garden. Hike...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10
near mile 366.5
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
$25
near mile 157.1
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
$25
near mile 183.2
Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based & backcountry recreation. The recreation area stretches for hundreds of mil...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$30
near mile 274.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$75.62 one way
$151.24 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$80.03
$160.06
premium
$5.59
$83.56
$167.11
diesel
$5.61
$83.81
$167.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$76
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
113.9
1
$39.86
$18.22
Efficient EV
94.9
1
$33.22
$15.18
EV Truck/SUV
151.8
1
$53.14
$24.29
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tempe Junction, AZ
Morning
in Tempe Junction on Saturday
Local time
9:52 AM
MST
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Colorado City, AZ
Morning
in Colorado City on Saturday
Local time
9:52 AM
MST
Current temp
76°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
14 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 31m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Colorado City, AZ covers 379.6 miles and takes about 7h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway, Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 189.8 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $75.62 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 379.6 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 2.8 miles (I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Colorado City, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Montezuma Castle National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Pipe Spring National Monument. There are 6 parks within detour distance of this route.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
