Chandler, AZ to Fredonia, AZ is 360.4 miles and takes about 7h 7m via Arizona Veterans Highway, with a fuel budget near $70 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest, offering a consistent landscape from start to finish. Since it's a single-day trip, you can set off at your leisure, but keep in mind the duration means you'll be on the road for a significant portion of the day. The route is primarily surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate drive.
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
180.2 miles from Chandler, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 18m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and Fredonia, 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
47 ft·1 sec·West Pratt Street
32
Arrive at destination
AZ 389
Trip Plan
With a 7-hour drive time, leaving Chandler in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in Fredonia with ample daylight. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but plan for your two designated stops to break up the 360.4 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 90.6-mile stretch on Arizona Veterans Highway, as services might be spread out. The estimated fuel cost of $70 should cover your needs, but it's always wise to have a buffer.
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 180.2 miles from Chandler, AZ, or about 3h 18m 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 79 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.2 miles or 3h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fredonia, 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 360.4 miles and 7h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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 19
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
$72.59 one way
$145.18 round trip
$5.12/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.43
$77.00
$154.01
premium
$5.67
$80.51
$161.02
diesel
$6.28
$89.05
$178.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$73
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$98–$123
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.1
1
$37.84
$17.30
Efficient EV
90.1
1
$31.54
$14.42
EV Truck/SUV
144.2
1
$50.46
$23.07
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Chandler, AZ
Night
in Chandler on Thursday
Local time
10:21 PM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
ESE 5 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fredonia, AZ
Night
in Fredonia on Thursday
Local time
10:21 PM
MST
Current temp
71°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 6 mph12% 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 7m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10
near mile 111.9
Caution: Visiting During Monsoon Season (July-September)
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$25
near mile 186.4
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...
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
$25
near mile 198.9
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$30
near mile 285.9
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...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$10
near mile 360.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a highway share of 18%, meaning much of your time will be spent on surface roads. You'll encounter the longest stretch of continuous highway at 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. After this segment, you'll transition to more rural cruising on roads like the Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway and Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway. Expect a steady pace without the frequent exits or merges common on interstates.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 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 19 significant decision points across 360.4 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 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
7,656 ft1,091 ft
Total Climb
11,017 ft
Total Descent
7,556 ft
Highest Point
7,656 ft
~334.7 mi in
Elevation Range
6,565 ft
Notable High Points
7,036 ft at ~180.2 miles+396 ft prominence
5,877 ft at ~257.5 miles+1,443 ft prominence
7,656 ft at ~334.7 miles+2,647 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 Fredonia, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 7m. Total distance: 360.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 7m 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 10 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 Fredonia, 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 10 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 — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Walnut Canyon 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 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fredonia, AZ before the return drive.
