Chandler to Cordes Lakes is 88.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 44 minutes via Black Canyon Freeway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward drive for those needing to head north. It's a short enough distance that you can easily complete it within a single day, making it a convenient option for getting from the Phoenix metro area up towards central Arizona. Plan for a mostly highway experience, so expect relatively consistent speeds and fewer turns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.3 miles from Chandler, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Black Canyon Freeway
41.3 mi
45m
Arizona Veterans Highway
13.4 mi
13m
Maricopa Freeway
9.1 mi
10m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi
9m
Price Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
Superstition Freeway
3.7 mi
4m
West Chandler Boulevard
3 mi
5m
Stagecoach Trail
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Black Canyon Freeway
— 41.3 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and Cordes Lakes, 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 right at fork onto AZ 69
0.3 mi·16 sec·AZ 69
Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward Cordes Lakes Rd
18
Enter roundabout onto Cordes Lakes Road
1 ft·0 sec·Cordes Lakes Road
19
Continue on Cordes Lakes Road
366 ft·12 sec·Cordes Lakes Road
20
Turn right onto Stagecoach Trail
1.3 mi·3 min·Stagecoach Trail
21
Turn right onto South Black Mountain Road
0.4 mi·1 min·South Black Mountain Road
22
Turn left onto East Ash Creek Road
137 ft·6 sec·East Ash Creek Road
23
Arrive at destination
East Ash Creek Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of this 1 hour 44 minute drive, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Chandler in the morning will put you in Cordes Lakes by late morning, leaving plenty of time for activities. With only 88.6 miles, you likely won't need many stops, but it's always wise to fuel up before you leave Chandler, especially since the estimated fuel cost is only $18. Keep an eye out for the transition from the Black Canyon Freeway to Arizona Veterans Highway as you make your way north.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.3 miles from Chandler, AZ, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.3 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.3 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cordes Lakes, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chandler, AZ
This is one driving day of about 88.6 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Chandler, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Black Canyon Freeway for about 41.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 86.2 — 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
86.2 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
$18.09 one way
$36.19 round trip
$5.19/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$19.25
$38.50
premium
$5.72
$19.95
$39.90
diesel
$5.35
$18.66
$37.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.6
0
$9.30
$4.25
Efficient EV
22.2
0
$7.75
$3.54
EV Truck/SUV
35.4
0
$12.40
$5.67
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 May 10, 2026
Origin
Chandler, AZ
Afternoon
in Chandler on Wednesday
Local time
1:05 PM
MST
Current temp
71°F
Clear
ESE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued May 10 at 12:24AM MST until May 11 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued May 10 at 12:24AM MST until May 12 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Cordes Lakes, AZ
Afternoon
in Cordes Lakes on Wednesday
Local time
1:05 PM
MST
Current temp
55°F
Clear
N 7 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued May 10 at 12:24AM MST until May 11 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued May 10 at 12:24AM MST until May 12 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
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
16 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
1h 44m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
$10
near mile 88.6
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 67% of this 88.6-mile drive on highways, primarily the Black Canyon Freeway. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 41.3 miles along the Black Canyon Freeway. Expect to transition from freeway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination. The route involves significant freeway driving, so be prepared for merging and higher speeds for most of the trip.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.3 mi on Black Canyon Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Black Canyon Freeway and Arizona Veterans Highway. 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 Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.6 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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
Gently rolling terrain
3,681 ft1,066 ft
Total Climb
2,673 ft
Total Descent
205 ft
Highest Point
3,681 ft
~88.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,616 ft
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 Cordes Lakes, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 88.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.3 miles on Black Canyon Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Cordes Lakes, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 — Montezuma Castle National Monument and Casa Grande Ruins 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 Cordes Lakes, AZ before heading back.
