Origin
Avondale, AZ
Evening in Avondale on Saturday
Local time
7:48 PM
MST
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Avondale, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
154.8 mi
249 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 38m
★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 10m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Avondale, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Flagstaff, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a 154.8-mile journey from Avondale, AZ, to Flagstaff, AZ, you'll be on the road for approximately 2 hours and 48 minutes. This drive is easily manageable as a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $31. You'll primarily navigate the Arizona Veterans Highway and the Black Canyon Freeway, experiencing a mixed drive profile as you transition from the Desert Southwest region. With only one recommended stop, this route offers a straightforward and efficient transit between two points within Arizona.
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
77.4 miles from Avondale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 91.1 mi | 1h 32m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 23.2 mi | 24m |
| Agua Fria Freeway | 20.5 mi | 23m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| Papago Freeway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| South Milton Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| South Dysart Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Prescott–Flagstaff Highway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 91.1 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Avondale, AZ and Flagstaff, AZ.
1
Start on this road
27 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto North Central Avenue
89 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Central Avenue
3
Turn left onto East Western Avenue
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
East Western Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
At end of road, turn left onto South Dysart Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Dysart Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 133B
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 23
Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoenix
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoenix
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
13
Merge onto I 17
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 17
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
17
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
18
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
19
Continue on AZ 89A
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
South Milton Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
449 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Historic Route 66
21
Arrive at destination
US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 48-minute duration, departing from Avondale in the morning allows ample time to reach Flagstaff comfortably within a single day. Plan for one stop to break up the 154.8 miles, perhaps around the midpoint of your longest stretch on the Arizona Veterans Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer sections, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $31 is a helpful budget point for this 154.8-mile trip.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.4 miles from Avondale, AZ, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.4 miles or 1h 27m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flagstaff, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Avondale, 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 Avondale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 154.8 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Avondale, 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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 91.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.4 miles from Avondale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 27.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Dysart Road
At end of road, turn left onto South Dysart Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
6
5.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133B
8
27.1 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoenix
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 23
Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoen...
8
27.3 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoen...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.84 one way
$61.68 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $32.64 | $65.27 |
| premium | $5.59 | $34.07 | $68.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.18 | $68.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.25 | $7.43 |
| Efficient EV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.55 | $6.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.9 | 0 | $21.67 | $9.91 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Flagstaff, AZ
Evening in Flagstaff on Saturday
Local time
7:48 PM
MST
Current temp
64°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
26 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
2h 48m 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
$10
near mile 107
View on nps.gov
Walnut Canyon National Monument
National Monument
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 155.1
View on nps.gov
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
National Monument
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$25
near mile 155.1
View on nps.gov
Tuzigoot National Monument
National Monument
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
$10
near mile 101.6
View on nps.gov
Wupatki National Monument
National Monument
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$25
near mile 155.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a mixed driving experience, with 30% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Arizona Veterans Highway, including one significant segment of 91.1 miles without interruption. The Black Canyon Freeway and Agua Fria Freeway contribute to the overall highway component, suggesting a blend of faster-paced driving and potentially some more varied road conditions as you progress. Expect a dynamic drive that shifts between open highway travel and sections that might feel more integrated with local traffic.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.1 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.5 miles in near South Dysart Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 154.8 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 0.5 miles (South Dysart Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Avondale, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Phoenix along the way.
Phoenix
27.1 mi in
|
~33m
About the Cities
Starting in Avondale, AZ
Full guide →Avondale is a city in the Greater Phoenix region of Arizona.
Arriving in Flagstaff, AZ
Full guide →Flagstaff is a city of over 75,000 people (2019) near the San Francisco Peaks mountain range of northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon. At an altitude of 6,990 ft (2,130 m), Flagstaff and much of the surrounding region are substantially cooler than the low desert that dominates the southern part of the state. Though still dry by east coast standards, enough rain and snow falls in the area to allow a forest of ponderosa pine trees to cover the landscape. Winters tend to be cold, and heavy snowfall is expected on an annual basis.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 154.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.1 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Flagstaff, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (South Dysart Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Flagstaff, AZ before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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.
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