Traveling from Bullhead City to Phoenix covers 228.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 44 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for a single-day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You should budget approximately $45 for fuel to complete the journey across the Desert Southwest. While the route is manageable in one go, staying mindful of the winding local roads is essential for a smooth experience. Since you are staying within the same region, the transition between these two Arizona cities feels consistent, though local conditions can change quickly.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
108.2 miles from Bullhead City, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 93
91.1 mi
1h 46m
Grand Avenue
41 mi
1h 2m
Purple Heart Trail
22.1 mi
22m
Bullhead City-Kingman Highway
17.3 mi
20m
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
16.3 mi
24m
Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
10.1 mi
13m
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
8.7 mi
10m
West Beale Street
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 93
— 91.1 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bullhead City, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on 4th Street
20 ft·2 sec·4th Street
2
Turn right onto AZ 95
1.7 mi·2 min·Mohave Valley Highway
3
Continue on AZ 68
1.5 mi·2 min·Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
4
Continue on AZ 68
17 mi·19 min·Bullhead City-Kingman Highway
5
Continue on AZ 68
3.4 mi·3 min·Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
6
Continue on AZ 68
0.2 mi·17 sec·Bullhead City-Kingman Highway
7
Merge onto AZ 68
5.1 mi·6 min·Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 93 South: Kingman
9
Merge onto US 93
1.7 mi·1 min·Hoover Dam–Kingman Highway
10
Continue on US 93
2.0 mi·3 min·West Beale Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto US 93
0.3 mi·37 sec·US 93
Toward US 93, I 40, I 11 Future: Flagstaff, PhoenixUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 40; US 93
22 mi·22 min·Purple Heart Trail
13
Take the exit onto US 93
91 mi·1 hr 46 min·US 93
Exit 71Toward US 93 South: Wickenburg, PhoenixUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto US 93
11 mi·12 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.6 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
16
Enter roundabout onto US 93
138 ft·5 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
17
Continue on US 93
1.2 mi·2 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
18
Enter roundabout onto US 93
139 ft·4 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
19
Continue on US 93
0.9 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.9 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.5 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
22
Continue on US 93
104 ft·4 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
1.2 mi·2 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
24
Enter roundabout onto US 60
201 ft·8 sec·East Wickenburg Way
25
Continue on US 60
1.5 mi·2 min·East Wickenburg Way
26
Continue on US 60
8.7 mi·10 min·Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
27
Continue on US 60
5.2 mi·5 min·Grand Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Continue on US 60
1.7 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
29
Continue on US 60
1.1 mi·1 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
31 mi·48 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on Grand Avenue
3.3 mi·6 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left / right / straight lanes.
32
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
0.4 mi·1 min·West Van Buren Street
33
Turn slight right onto North 1st Avenue
0.1 mi·22 sec·North 1st Avenue
34
Turn left onto West Adams Street
0.1 mi·40 sec·West Adams Street
35
Turn right onto North 1st Street
408 ft·18 sec·North 1st Street
36
Turn right onto East Washington Street
453 ft·15 sec·East Washington Street
37
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Plan for one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and manage the technical nature of the drive. Since this is a localized route, departing during daylight hours is highly recommended to better navigate the frequent turns and changing road conditions. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early on, as the $45 estimate may fluctuate based on your specific vehicle and driving style. Given the drive's duration of nearly four hours, try to time your departure to avoid peak local traffic near Phoenix. A helpful tip for this route is to prioritize your route navigation before leaving, as the reliance on local highways means you will encounter many intersections rather than simple, straight-line driving.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 108.2 miles from Bullhead City, AZ, or about 2h 7m 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 48 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.2 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bullhead City, 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 Bullhead City, AZ
This is one driving day of about 216.4 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Bullhead City, 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 US 93 for about 91.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 29 and 216.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
29 mi into trip|~36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 93 South: Kingman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 93 South: Kingman
8
33.2 mi into trip|~43m in|US 93
Turn left onto US 93 toward US 93, I 40, I 11 Future: Flagstaff, Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 93, I 40, I 11 Future: Flagstaff, Pho...
8
55.6 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|US 93
Take the exit onto US 93 toward US 93 South: Wickenburg, Phoenix
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 71
Toward US 93 South: Wickenburg, Phoenix
6
180.8 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|US 60 / Grand Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Grand Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
216.2 mi into trip|~4h 36m in|North 1st Street
Turn right onto North 1st Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.11 one way
$86.22 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$45.62
$91.25
premium
$5.59
$47.63
$95.27
diesel
$5.61
$47.78
$95.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.9
0
$22.72
$10.39
Efficient EV
54.1
0
$18.94
$8.66
EV Truck/SUV
86.6
1
$30.30
$13.85
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Bullhead City, AZ
Late night
in Bullhead City on Tuesday
Local time
2:24 AM
MST
Current temp
86°F
Partly Sunny then Patchy Blowing Dust
S 18 to 28 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 3:13AM PDT until April 17 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 3:13AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Late night
in Phoenix on Tuesday
Local time
2:24 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
2 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
4h 37m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy experience on this journey, as the route relies on local infrastructure like the Mohave Valley Highway and the Bullhead City–Kingman Highway rather than major interstates. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating technical local roads for the entirety of the 228.7-mile trip. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on the Mohave Valley Highway is essentially non-existent, you will need to remain alert behind the wheel. The road's personality is defined by these constant turns, which require more focus than a typical high-speed freeway cruise.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.1 mi on US 93.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 29 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 216.4 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 29 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 33.2 miles (US 93): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.6 miles (US 93): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona, the most populous city in the American Southwest. Warm and sunny winter weather have ensured a thriving tourism industry, and the city has become the region's primary political, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is extremely hot and dry in the summertime, so always have sunscreen with you! It had about 1,625,000 residents in 2021, and is the fifth largest city in the United States.
Top landmarks
•Arizona State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Arizona
•Phoenix Art Museum — art museum in Phoenix, Arizona
•St. Mary's Basilica — Roman Catholic church in Phoenix, Arizona
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 216.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.1 miles on US 93. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Phoenix, 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 29 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 33.2 miles (US 93): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.6 miles (US 93): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Phoenix, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
