Spanning 133.7 miles from Buckeye to Chino Valley, this drive typically takes about 2 hours and 34 minutes to complete. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily tackle the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $27 on fuel for the journey. You will transition through the Desert Southwest while navigating a mix of major freeways and regional highways. It is a straightforward route that is best approached as a practical day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
66.9 miles from Buckeye, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
34.2 mi
39m
AZ 69
21.6 mi
25m
Black Canyon Freeway
16.4 mi
16m
Arizona Veterans Highway
13.4 mi
13m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi
9m
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
8.8 mi
10m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
8.3 mi
8m
Fain Road
7.6 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
— 34.2 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buckeye, AZ and Chino Valley, AZ.
1
Start on US 80 Hist
0.4 mi·59 sec·East Monroe Avenue
2
Turn right onto North 1st Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·North 1st Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on South Miller Road
3.7 mi·6 min·South Miller Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 114Toward I 10 East: PhoenixUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 10
8.3 mi·8 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.7 mi·2 min
Exit 124AToward AZ 303 Loop NorthUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
34 mi·39 min·Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 17 North: FlagstaffUse the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
10
Merge onto I 17
16 mi·16 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69
22 mi·25 min·AZ 69
Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
14
Turn right onto Fain Road
7.6 mi·9 min·Fain Road
15
Continue on AZ 89A
5.9 mi·6 min·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 317Toward AZ 89: Prescott, Chino Valley
17
Turn right onto AZ 89
0.5 mi·36 sec·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
18
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
103 ft·1 sec·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
19
Continue on AZ 89
0.9 mi·1 min·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
20
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
136 ft·1 sec·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
21
Continue on AZ 89
3.7 mi·4 min·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
22
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
150 ft·2 sec·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
23
Continue on AZ 89
0.8 mi·53 sec·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
24
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
151 ft·2 sec·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
25
Continue on AZ 89
2.8 mi·3 min·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
26
Arrive at destination
AZ 89
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop during the 133.7-mile journey to stretch your legs and ensure a comfortable arrival. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $27 cost estimate serves as a helpful baseline for your budget. Because this route involves shifting between the Black Canyon Freeway and AZ 69, stay alert for changes in speed limits and road types. Utilizing your single planned stop midway through the trip will help you maintain focus as you transition from the freeway sections to the final stretch into Chino Valley.
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 66.9 miles from Buckeye, AZ, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.2 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 29 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.9 miles or 1h 18m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chino Valley, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buckeye, 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 Buckeye, AZ
This is one driving day of about 133.7 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Buckeye, 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 Bob Stump Memorial Parkway for about 34.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 89.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|North 1st Street
Turn right onto North 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
4.6 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 114
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
7
13.6 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward AZ 303 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 124A
Toward AZ 303 Loop North
6
49.6 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
6
89.4 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|AZ 69
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69 toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.63 one way
$53.27 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$28.19
$56.38
premium
$5.59
$29.43
$58.86
diesel
$5.61
$29.52
$59.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.1
0
$14.04
$6.42
Efficient EV
33.4
0
$11.70
$5.35
EV Truck/SUV
53.5
0
$18.72
$8.56
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Buckeye, AZ
Late night
in Buckeye on Tuesday
Local time
2:03 AM
MST
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chino Valley, AZ
Late night
in Chino Valley on Tuesday
Local time
2:03 AM
MST
Current temp
66°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
9 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
2h 34m 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.
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...
17 mi from route
~44 min detour
$10
near mile 115.3
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...
25 mi from route
~64 min detour
$10
near mile 110.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This mixed drive offers a varied experience behind the wheel, with highway travel accounting for 54% of your total time on the road. You will start by traversing the Bob Stump Memorial Parkway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 34.2 miles. From there, the route transitions onto the Black Canyon Freeway and eventually AZ 69 as you head toward Chino Valley. The character of the road shifts from fast-paced freeway driving to more localized highway travel as you progress. You can expect a balanced flow that keeps the drive engaging without being overly taxing.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.2 mi on Bob Stump Memorial Parkway.
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 0.4 miles in near North 1st Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 133.7 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 0.4 miles (North 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 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.
On the drive from Buckeye, AZ to Chino Valley, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Prescott along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 34m. Total distance: 133.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). 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 34.2 miles on Bob Stump Memorial Parkway. 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 Chino Valley, 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 0.4 miles (North 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle 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 Chino Valley, AZ before heading back.
