Origin
Clarkdale, AZ
Morning in Clarkdale on Tuesday
Local time
6:43 AM
MST
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clarkdale, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 7m
Distance
106.9 mi
172 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 58m
★
6 AM
2h 7m
8 AM
2h 25m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 12m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarkdale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Phoenix, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Clarkdale to Phoenix is 106.9 miles and takes about 2h 7m via Arizona Veterans Highway and Black Canyon Freeway, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest, transitioning from central Arizona to the greater Phoenix area. You'll mostly encounter a mixed highway and surface road experience. With only one recommended day, this is a straightforward drive that doesn't require extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.4 miles from Clarkdale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 41 mi | 40m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway | 12.1 mi | 20m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 5.8 mi | 5m |
| North Main Street | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| North Black Canyon Highway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| South Broadway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| North 1st Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 41 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarkdale, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on US 89A Historic
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn straight onto US 89A Historic
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Broadway
3
Continue on US 89A Historic
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
4
Enter roundabout onto US 89A Historic
88 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Main Street
5
Continue on US 89A Historic
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
6
Continue on AZ 260
420 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Main Street
7
Continue on AZ 260
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
8
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
166 ft
·
7 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
9
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
10
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
158 ft
·
6 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
11
Continue on AZ 260
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
12
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
191 ft
·
8 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
13
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
14
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
198 ft
·
8 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
15
Continue on AZ 260
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
16
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
152 ft
·
2 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
17
Continue on AZ 260
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
18
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
104 ft
·
4 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
19
Continue on AZ 260
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
20
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
155 ft
·
6 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
21
Continue on AZ 260
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Use the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto I 17
41 mi
·
40 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
24
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
27
Continue on I 17
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 200A
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
Use the slight left lane.
30
Merge onto I 10
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
Papago Freeway
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 144A
Toward 7th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
33
Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue
445 ft
·
16 sec
·
North 7th Avenue
34
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Roosevelt Street
35
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
North 1st Avenue
36
Keep slight right at fork onto North 1st Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Avenue
37
Turn left onto West Adams Street
0.1 mi
·
40 sec
·
West Adams Street
38
Turn right onto North 1st Street
408 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 1st Street
39
Turn right onto East Washington Street
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Washington Street
40
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
This is a short, manageable drive, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Phoenix. With a total duration of just over two hours, you likely won't need many stops, but it's always wise to fuel up before leaving Clarkdale, as opportunities might be less frequent on the initial stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially after the 41-mile segment on Arizona Veterans Highway.
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 53.4 miles from Clarkdale, AZ, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41 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 24 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.4 miles or 1h 6m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clarkdale, 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 Clarkdale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 106.9 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Clarkdale, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 41 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.4 miles from Clarkdale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 105.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 89A Historic / North Main Street
Enter roundabout onto US 89A Historic / North Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
103.4 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 200A
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, L...
8
103.6 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
7
105 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Take the exit toward 7th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 144A
Toward 7th Avenue
9
105.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State Universi...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.30 one way
$42.59 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $22.54 | $45.07 |
| premium | $5.59 | $23.53 | $47.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.60 | $47.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.1 | 0 | $11.22 | $5.13 |
| Efficient EV | 26.7 | 0 | $9.35 | $4.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.97 | $6.84 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Morning in Phoenix on Tuesday
Local time
6:43 AM
MST
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live 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
13 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
2h 7m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
About 34% of this drive is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 41 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The route transitions from surface roads to highway cruising for significant portions. You'll notice a change in the driving environment as you move from more rural areas to the merging traffic patterns closer to Phoenix.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 3.4 miles in near US 89A Historic / North Main Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 106.9 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 3.4 miles (US 89A Historic / North Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 103.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1868
Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona, the most populous city in the American Southwest. Warm and sunny winter weather have ensured a thriving tourism industry, and the city has become the region's primary political, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is extremely hot and dry in the summertime, so always have sunscreen with you! It had about 1,625,000 residents in 2021, and is the fifth largest city in the United States.
Top landmarks
- • Arizona State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Arizona
- • Phoenix Art Museum — art museum in Phoenix, Arizona
- • St. Mary's Basilica — Roman Catholic church in Phoenix, Arizona
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 106.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Phoenix, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (US 89A Historic / North Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 103.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Phoenix, AZ before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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