Traveling from Colorado City to Phoenix covers 370.8 miles of Arizona landscape, requiring approximately 6 hours and 16 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations unless you prefer a leisurely pace. You should budget about $72 for fuel to complete this trek through the Desert Southwest. Navigating this route involves transitioning from the northern reaches of the state down toward the capital. It is a straightforward trip that works well as a dedicated day-long excursion, provided you are prepared for a turn-heavy experience.
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
184.6 miles from Colorado City, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 55m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Colorado City, AZ and Phoenix, 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
25 mi·28 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 200AToward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, TucsonUse the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto I 10
0.6 mi·41 sec·Papago Freeway
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 144AToward 7th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport FacilitiesUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
30
Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue
445 ft·16 sec·North 7th Avenue
31
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Roosevelt Street
32
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
29 ft·0 sec·North 1st Avenue
33
Keep slight right at fork onto North 1st Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North 1st Avenue
34
Turn left onto West Adams Street
0.1 mi·40 sec·West Adams Street
35
Turn right onto North 1st Street
408 ft·18 sec·North 1st Street
36
Turn right onto East Washington Street
453 ft·15 sec·East Washington Street
37
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this 6-hour and 16-minute drive is simple, as you only need to account for one planned stop along the way. Since the route relies entirely on local roads, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Phoenix before dark. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $72 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local price variations. Use your one scheduled stop to stretch your legs and reset, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads requires more physical engagement than a standard interstate slog. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so adjust your pace to match the local road conditions.
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 184.6 miles from Colorado City, AZ, or about 3h 55m 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 81 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.6 miles or 3h 55m 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 12m
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 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 369.2 miles and 7h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 222.1 and 367.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
8
365.7 mi into trip|~7h 12m 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
365.9 mi into trip|~7h 13m 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
367.3 mi into trip|~7h 15m 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
367.6 mi into trip|~7h 15m 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
$73.55 one way
$147.10 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$77.84
$155.67
premium
$5.59
$81.27
$162.54
diesel
$5.61
$81.51
$163.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.8
1
$38.77
$17.72
Efficient EV
92.3
1
$32.31
$14.77
EV Truck/SUV
147.7
1
$51.69
$23.63
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Colorado City, AZ
Evening
in Colorado City on Saturday
Local time
6:11 PM
MST
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Evening
in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
6:11 PM
MST
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
SSE 0 to 5 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
15 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 19m 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
~13 min detour
$10
near mile 280.1
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...
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
~16 min detour
$25
near mile 216.4
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$25
near mile 216.4
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 190.9
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$30
near mile 101.8
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 rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route features 0% highway travel. You will navigate through West Township Avenue, South Central Street, and the Short Creek–Fredonia Highway to reach your destination. Since there are no long, uninterrupted stretches on major interstates, your focus will be required on the local roads that define this path. The lack of highway mileage means the road surface and traffic patterns shift frequently. Be ready for a driving experience that demands your full attention as you transition between these specific local corridors.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 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?
9/10
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 222.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 369.2 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: at 222.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 365.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 365.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
On the drive from Colorado City, AZ to Phoenix, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Flagstaff 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 19m. Total distance: 369.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 19m 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 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. 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: at 222.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 365.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 365.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Pipe Spring 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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Phoenix, AZ before the return drive.
