Bullhead City to Surprise is 196.4 miles and takes about 4h 1m via US 93 and Grand Avenue, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona, traversing the Desert Southwest region for its entirety. Expect a mixed drive experience, offering a blend of highway speeds and more local road sections as you make your way south. It’s a manageable one-day journey that doesn't require an overnight stay, making it a convenient option for a quick transition between these two desert communities.
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
98.2 miles from Bullhead City, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 93
91.1 mi
1h 46m
Purple Heart Trail
22.1 mi
22m
Grand Avenue
21.1 mi
27m
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 Surprise, 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
15 mi·20 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
31
Turn sharp left onto North Dysart Road
319 ft·18 sec·North Dysart Road
Use the left lane.
32
Turn slight right onto West Santa Fe Drive
320 ft·8 sec·West Santa Fe Drive
Toward North Dysart Road
33
Turn left onto West Cottonwood Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Cottonwood Street
34
Turn right onto North Nash Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·North Nash Street
35
Arrive at destination
North Nash Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, departing from Bullhead City in the morning is ideal, allowing you to reach Surprise with ample daylight. The single stop recommendation suggests you can tackle most of this drive uninterrupted, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 91.1-mile segment on US 93. The estimated fuel cost of $39 is helpful for budgeting. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility; however, planning to leave earlier ensures you avoid any potential evening traffic as you approach Surprise.
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 98.2 miles from Bullhead City, AZ, or about 1h 55m 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 43 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.2 miles or 1h 55m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surprise, 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 196.4 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 29 and 195.6 — 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
195.6 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|North Dysart Road
Turn sharp left onto North Dysart Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.13 one way
$78.25 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$41.41
$82.81
premium
$5.59
$43.23
$86.46
diesel
$5.61
$43.36
$86.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.9
0
$20.62
$9.43
Efficient EV
49.1
0
$17.19
$7.86
EV Truck/SUV
78.6
0
$27.50
$12.57
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Bullhead City, AZ
Late night
in Bullhead City on Sunday
Local time
1:07 AM
MST
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Surprise, AZ
Late night
in Surprise on Sunday
Local time
1:07 AM
MST
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 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
4h 1m 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?
This route offers a mixed drive, with 46% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant 91.1-mile stretch on US 93, which provides a more continuous driving experience. As you transition to Purple Heart Trail and then Grand Avenue, the character of the drive shifts, becoming more integrated with local areas. This change means you'll likely experience varying speed limits and traffic patterns, moving from open highway to more developed stretches.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 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 19 significant decision points across 196.4 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.
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 Bullhead City, AZ to Surprise, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Phoenix along the way.
Sun City is a suburb 20 miles (30km) northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was built as a planned retirement community in Maricopa County in the 1960s. An adjacent retirement community Sun City West was built in the late 1970s; there is also a Sun City Grand. Directly northwest of the three "Sun City" suburbs is Surprise, Arizona.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 196.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m 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 Surprise, 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Surprise, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
