Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
30m
Distance
17.3 mi
28 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cave Creek, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Deer Valley, AZ
Line Knipst
If you are planning to travel from Cave Creek to Deer Valley, you are looking at a quick, efficient journey through the Desert Southwest. Spanning just 17.3 miles, this trip typically takes about 30 minutes to complete. You won't need an overnight stay for this distance, as it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip. With a fuel cost estimate of $3, it is a budget-friendly way to navigate between these two Arizona locations. Since the entire route stays within the same region, you can expect a familiar landscape throughout your travel.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Cave Creek Road | 11.2 mi | 19m |
| East Deer Valley Road | 6.1 mi | 11m |
| North 35th Avenue | <0.1 mi | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Cave Creek, AZ and Deer Valley, AZ.
Start on East Cave Creek Road
Turn right onto East Deer Valley Road
Turn right onto North 35th Avenue
Arrive at destination
2 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 17.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Depart onto East Cave Creek Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto North 35th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$3.45 one way
$6.89 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $3.65 | $7.29 |
| premium | $5.59 | $3.81 | $7.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.82 | $7.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.82 | $0.83 |
| Efficient EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.51 | $0.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.42 | $1.11 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Cave Creek on Sunday
Local time
1:23 PM
MST
Current temp
56°F
Clear
Destination
Afternoon in Deer Valley on Sunday
Local time
1:23 PM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will spend the bulk of your time on East Cave Creek Road, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 11.2 miles. From there, your navigation will shift onto North 35th Avenue and East Deer Valley Road to reach your destination. Because the road lacks typical highway infrastructure, you should prepare for a more involved driving experience with frequent turns and local traffic patterns.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Cave Creek Road.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Cave Creek, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ is easy. At 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Cave Creek Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles (North 35th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
0 ft
Total Descent
762 ft
Highest Point
2,135 ft
Elevation Range
762 ft
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 30m. Total distance: 17.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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