Origin
Big Park, AZ
Morning in Big Park on Tuesday
Local time
6:26 AM
MST
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Park, AZ to Glendale, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
104.5 mi
168 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Park, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Glendale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 104.5-mile drive from Big Park, AZ to Glendale, AZ takes approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes. It's a straightforward, single-day trip with a fuel cost estimated at $21. You'll primarily travel on the Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, and Red Rock Scenic Byway, making it a manageable journey for most travelers. Both the origin and destination are within the Desert Southwest region, so expect consistent arid landscapes. Given the short duration, this route is perfect for a day trip, allowing for plenty of flexibility.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.3 miles from Big Park, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 52.9 mi | 52m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 30.1 mi | 33m |
| Red Rock Scenic Byway | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 5.8 mi | 5m |
| West Glendale Avenue | 4 mi | 8m |
| North Black Canyon Highway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Grand Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North 57th Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 52.9 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Park, AZ and Glendale, AZ.
1
Start on this road
67 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto East Cortez Drive
117 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Cortez Drive
3
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
176 ft
·
2 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
4
Continue on AZ 179
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
5
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
100 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
6
Continue on AZ 179
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
7
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
108 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
8
Continue on AZ 179
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
9
Take the exit onto AZ 179
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
AZ 179
Exit 298
Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
10
Merge onto I 17
53 mi
·
52 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
11
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 17
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 205
Toward Glendale Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto North Black Canyon Highway
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Black Canyon Highway
17
Turn right onto West Glendale Avenue
4.0 mi
·
8 min
·
West Glendale Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto North 57th Drive
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
North 57th Drive
19
Turn right onto US 60
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Grand Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
US 60
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under two hours, this 104.5-mile trip offers significant flexibility for departure times. You won't need to split this journey, so focus on making the most of your time on the road. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps before departing Big Park or upon arrival in Glendale. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $21 for the full trip. A specific tip for this route: be prepared for the 'turn-heavy' nature, especially when transitioning between the Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, and Red Rock Scenic Byway.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.3 miles from Big Park, AZ, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.9 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 23 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.3 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Big Park, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Big Park, AZ
This is one driving day of about 104.5 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Big Park, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 52.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52.3 miles from Big Park, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 100.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Cortez Drive
At end of road, turn right onto East Cortez Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
7.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
AZ 179
Take the exit onto AZ 179 toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 298
Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
7
99.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward Glendale Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 205
Toward Glendale Avenue
6
100.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
West Glendale Avenue
Turn right onto West Glendale Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.82 one way
$41.64 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $22.03 | $44.06 |
| premium | $5.59 | $23.00 | $46.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.07 | $46.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.97 | $5.02 |
| Efficient EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.14 | $4.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.63 | $6.69 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Glendale, AZ
Morning in Glendale on Tuesday
Local time
6:26 AM
MST
Current temp
84°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
11 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
1h 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$10
near mile 14.4
Caution: High Levels of Visitation
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$10
near mile 3.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this 104.5-mile trip. While 29% of your journey will be on highways, the route incorporates several local roads like the Arizona Veterans Highway and Red Rock Scenic Byway, suggesting a more varied driving experience than a pure interstate cruise. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 52.9 miles on the Arizona Veterans Highway, offering a good period of consistent travel before encountering more frequent turns. This blend means you'll likely experience changes in speed and road conditions throughout the drive.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.9 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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 early in the drive near East Cortez Drive.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 56m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Cortez Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; near the start (AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.5 miles (AZ 179): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Between Big Park, AZ and Glendale, AZ, road signs point toward Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona.
Oak Creek Canyon
7.5 mi in
|
~11m
|
via AZ 179
Sedona
7.5 mi in
|
~11m
|
via AZ 179
About the Cities
Arriving in Glendale, AZ
Full guide →Glendale is one of the largest suburbs in the metropolitan Phoenix area, and is rapidly growing as a media/entertainment center in the Valley of the Sun. It was home to over 250,000 people in 2019.
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 1h 56m. Total distance: 104.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (29%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.9 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Cortez Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; near the start (AZ 179 / Red Rock Scenic Byway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 7.5 miles (AZ 179): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument and Tuzigoot National Monument. 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 Glendale, 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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