Chandler, AZ to Colorado City, AZ is 392.1 miles and takes about 7h 46m via Arizona Veterans Highway, Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway, and Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway, with a fuel budget near $82 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a drive characterized by surface roads rather than major highways. With only two recommended stops and a substantial longest stretch of 90.6 miles, this route is best suited for a single-day journey. Consider this drive if you prefer a less highway-intensive experience and want to cover ground efficiently within Arizona.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
196.1 miles from Chandler, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 37m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and Colorado City, AZ.
1
Start on East Chandler Boulevard
0.1 mi·41 sec·East Chandler Boulevard
2
Continue on East Chandler Boulevard
0.2 mi·17 sec·East Chandler Boulevard
3
Continue on West Chandler Boulevard
3.0 mi·5 min·West Chandler Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto South Price Road
321 ft·6 sec·South Price Road
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
6
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
4.8 mi·5 min·Price Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 55A; 55BToward US 60 West, US 60 East: Phoenix, GlobeUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 55AToward US 60 West: PhoenixUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto US 60
3.7 mi·4 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
0.6 mi·38 sec·US 60
Toward I 10 North
11
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.9 mi·5 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
4.2 mi·4 min·Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: FlagstaffUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 17; US 60
41 mi·45 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi·1 hr 17 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
17
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi·43 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
19
Merge onto I 40
5.1 mi·5 min·Purple Heart Trail
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 89 North: Page
21
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus
0.5 mi·50 sec·Country Club Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn right onto US 89
2.3 mi·3 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 89
24
Continue on US 89
38 mi·44 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
25
Enter roundabout onto US 89
156 ft·2 sec·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
26
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi·2 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
27
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 89
28
Continue on US 89
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
29
Turn left onto US 89A
84 mi·1 hr 53 min·Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway
30
Continue on US 89A
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
31
Turn left onto AZ 389
0.6 mi·1 min·West Pratt Street
32
Continue on AZ 389
30 mi·34 min·Short Creek–Fredonia Highway
33
Turn right onto CR 377
1.4 mi·2 min·South Central Street
34
Turn left onto West Township Avenue
449 ft·17 sec·West Township Avenue
35
Turn left onto Heritage Lane
69 ft·3 sec·Heritage Lane
36
Arrive at destination
Heritage Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 7 hour 46 minute estimated drive time, starting early from Chandler is recommended to make the most of daylight. Plan for your two stops strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the 90.6-mile longest stretch on Arizona Veterans Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the longer segments between services, as the estimated fuel cost is $82. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have flexibility in your timing, but ensure you have enough fuel before departing for those longer stretches of surface roads.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 196.1 miles from Chandler, AZ, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 86 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.1 miles or 3h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colorado City, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chandler, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chandler, AZ
This is one driving day of about 392.1 miles and 7h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Chandler, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 90.6 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 169.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.3 mi into trip|~6m in|South Price Road
Turn right onto South Price Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
8.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward US 60 West, US 60 East: Phoenix, Globe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 55A; 55B
Toward US 60 West, US 60 East: Phoenix, Globe
8
8.6 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 West: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 55A
Toward US 60 West: Phoenix
8
18.4 mi into trip|~25m in|US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
6
169.9 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$80.07 one way
$160.14 round trip
$5.19/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$85.18
$170.36
premium
$5.72
$88.28
$176.57
diesel
$5.35
$82.59
$165.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$80
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.6
1
$41.17
$18.82
Efficient EV
98
1
$34.31
$15.68
EV Truck/SUV
156.8
1
$54.89
$25.09
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Chandler, AZ
Afternoon
in Chandler on Wednesday
Local time
2:51 PM
MST
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
S 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Colorado City, AZ
Afternoon
in Colorado City on Wednesday
Local time
2:51 PM
MST
Current temp
55°F
Clear
NNE 2 to 9 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
17 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
7h 46m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Pipe Spring National Monument
National Monument
The rich history of Pipe Spring and its flowing water comes alive as you explore the traditions of the Kaibab Paiute and the Mormon settlers through the museum, historic fort, cabins, and garden. Hike...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10
near mile 378.6
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10
near mile 121.7
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$25
near mile 175.8
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$25
near mile 175.8
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
$25
near mile 202.8
Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based & backcountry recreation. The recreation area stretches for hundreds of mil...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$30
near mile 283.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive primarily consists of surface roads, with highways making up only 17% of the total mileage. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway before transitioning to other main roads. Expect mostly rural cruising as you navigate between towns. The limited highway percentage means you'll be spending more time on roads with lower speed limits and potentially more local traffic.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.6 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in near South Price Road.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 392.1 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 3.3 miles (South Price Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
7,572 ft1,131 ft
Total Climb
10,900 ft
Total Descent
7,134 ft
Highest Point
7,572 ft
~336.1 mi in
Elevation Range
6,440 ft
Notable High Points
3,730 ft at ~84 miles+615 ft prominence
6,856 ft at ~168.1 miles+355 ft prominence
5,490 ft at ~252.1 miles+959 ft prominence
7,572 ft at ~336.1 miles+2,577 ft prominence
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 Chandler, AZ to Colorado City, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Colorado City is a city of 4,900 people (2018) straddling the Utah/Arizona border, although most of the city is on the Arizona side. The Utah portion is known as Hildale.
Colorado City is the largest and best-known polygamist community in the United States, and there are few facilities for travelers.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 46m. Total distance: 392.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Colorado City, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles (South Price Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pipe Spring National Monument, Montezuma Castle National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colorado City, AZ before the return drive.
