This 367.1-mile journey from Colorado City, AZ to Glendale, AZ takes approximately 6 hours and 12 minutes, making it a feasible single-day road trip. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, including West Township Avenue, South Central Street, and the Short Creek–Fredonia Highway, with no highway driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $73. Given its turn-heavy nature, this route offers a more intimate connection with the Desert Southwest landscape as you traverse from one part of Arizona to another. It's a straightforward trip best suited for a single day of driving.
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
182.6 miles from Colorado City, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Colorado City, AZ and Glendale, AZ.
1
Start on Heritage Lane
69 ft·5 sec·Heritage Lane
2
Turn right onto West Township Avenue
449 ft·14 sec·West Township Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 377
1.4 mi·2 min·South Central Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 389
30 mi·34 min·Short Creek–Fredonia Highway
5
Continue on AZ 389
0.6 mi·1 min·West Pratt Street
6
Turn right onto US 89A
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
7
Continue on US 89A
84 mi·1 hr 53 min·Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 89
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
9
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi·26 sec·US 89
10
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi·2 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
11
Enter roundabout onto US 89
154 ft·2 sec·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
12
Continue on US 89
38 mi·44 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
13
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 89
14
Continue on US 89
2.3 mi·4 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
15
Turn left onto Country Club Drive
0.3 mi·51 sec·Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Use the right lane.
17
Merge onto I 40
4.7 mi·5 min·Purple Heart Trail
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
20
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi·1 hr 33 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
21
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
24
Continue on I 17
20 mi·22 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 205Toward Glendale AvenueUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto North Black Canyon Highway
0.1 mi·16 sec·North Black Canyon Highway
27
Turn right onto West Glendale Avenue
4.0 mi·8 min·West Glendale Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto North 57th Drive
0.2 mi·35 sec·North 57th Drive
29
Turn right onto US 60
0.2 mi·24 sec·Grand Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
US 60
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 12-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and allow ample time for the numerous turns. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing, but plan to refuel before you leave Colorado City, AZ, as the $73 fuel estimate accounts for the full 367.1 miles. Pay close attention to your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means you'll be making frequent adjustments. A specific tip for this drive: familiarize yourself with the sequence of local roads in the data before you depart, as relying solely on real-time navigation might be more challenging than on a highway route.
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 182.6 miles from Colorado City, AZ, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 182.6 miles or 3h 52m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colorado City, 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 Colorado City, AZ
This is one driving day of about 365.2 miles and 7h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colorado City, 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 93 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 0 and 360.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West Township Avenue
Turn right onto West Township Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
222.1 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
227.3 mi into trip|~4h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
7
360.5 mi into trip|~7h 6m in
Take the exit toward Glendale Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 205
Toward Glendale Avenue
6
360.8 mi into trip|~7h 7m in|West Glendale Avenue
Turn right onto West Glendale Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.75 one way
$145.50 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$76.99
$153.99
premium
$5.59
$80.39
$160.77
diesel
$5.61
$80.63
$161.26
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: 127.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.6
1
$38.35
$17.53
Efficient EV
91.3
1
$31.96
$14.61
EV Truck/SUV
146.1
1
$51.13
$23.37
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Colorado City, AZ
Evening
in Colorado City on Saturday
Local time
6:13 PM
MST
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Glendale, AZ
Evening
in Glendale on Saturday
Local time
6:13 PM
MST
Current temp
92°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
16 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
7h 17m 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...
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$25
near mile 214.1
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...
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
~20 min detour
$25
near mile 226.7
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
~25 min detour
$25
near mile 188.9
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 100.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 367.1-mile route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. This means you'll be engaging with a variety of local roads like West Township Avenue, South Central Street, and the Short Creek–Fredonia Highway for the full duration. There isn't a longest uninterrupted stretch to report since the drive is characterized by frequent changes in direction and road names. The profile suggests a continuous series of turns rather than long, straightaways, so keep your attention focused on navigation and the immediate surroundings.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 early in the drive near West Township Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 365.2 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: near the start (West Township Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 222.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 227.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Colorado City, AZ and Glendale, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
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 17m. Total distance: 365.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 17m 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 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Glendale, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Township Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 222.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 227.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Pipe Spring 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Glendale, AZ before the return drive.
