This 300.9-mile journey from Cottonwood, AZ to Surprise, AZ is a single-day adventure, estimated to take about 5 hours and 16 minutes. Utilizing highways like Route 4, Route 65, and Route 60, this drive stays within the Desert Southwest region of Arizona. With a projected fuel cost of around $60, it's an economical option for a quick trip. Expect a more hands-on driving experience with frequent turns rather than long stretches of high-speed highway. This route is well-suited for a single day of travel.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
152.6 miles from Cottonwood, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood, AZ and Surprise, AZ.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi·42 sec·this road
2
Continue on this road
498 ft·27 sec·this road
3
Turn left onto N4
6.4 mi·15 min·Navajo Route 4
4
Continue on Indian Route 4
1.8 mi·4 min·Indian Route 4
5
Continue on N4
4.0 mi·9 min·Navajo Route 4
6
Turn left onto N65
1.9 mi·4 min·Navajo Route 65
7
Continue on Indian Route 65
2.8 mi·6 min·Indian Route 65
8
Continue on N65
1.3 mi·3 min·Navajo Route 65
9
Continue on H65
8.4 mi·20 min·Hopi Route 65
10
Continue on Indian Route 60
6.6 mi·16 min·Indian Route 60
11
Turn right onto AZ 264
12 mi·14 min·Arizona State Highway 264
12
Turn left onto AZ 87
17 mi·19 min·Winslow–Kayenta Highway
13
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi·4 min·AZ 87
14
Continue on AZ 87
39 mi·44 min·Winslow–Kayenta Highway
15
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
16
Merge onto I 40; US 180
61 mi·1 hr 2 min·Purple Heart Trail
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
19
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi·1 hr 33 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
20
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
23
Continue on I 17
3.4 mi·3 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 221Toward AZ 303 Loop SouthUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn right onto AZ 303 Loop
0.6 mi·1 min·AZ 303 Loop
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.6 mi·45 sec
27
Continue on this road
411 ft·7 sec·this road
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·21 sec
29
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
0.2 mi·12 sec·Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
30
Take the exit
0.7 mi·47 sec
31
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·19 sec·this road
32
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
12 mi·13 min·Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 123Toward El Mirage RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·1 min·this road
Exit 123Toward El Mirage Road
35
Turn left onto North El Mirage Road
5.1 mi·9 min·North El Mirage Road
Use the right lane.
36
Turn right onto West Paradise Lane
0.5 mi·1 min·West Paradise Lane
37
Turn left onto North Nash Street
88 ft·3 sec·North Nash Street
38
Arrive at destination
North Nash Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 16-minute duration, starting your drive from Cottonwood in the morning allows ample time to reach Surprise without feeling rushed. With only one planned stop, consider breaking up the 300.9 miles strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition between Route 4, Route 65, and Route 60, to avoid any unexpected delays. The $60 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Since this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your navigation is set up before you depart.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 152.6 miles from Cottonwood, AZ, or about 3h 33m 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 67 miles or 2h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.6 miles or 3h 33m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surprise, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, AZ
This is one driving day of about 305.1 miles and 6h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Cottonwood, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 166.6 and 299 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
166.6 mi into trip|~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flags...
6
166.7 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
283.7 mi into trip|~5h 47m in
Take the exit toward AZ 303 Loop South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 221
Toward AZ 303 Loop South
6
284.1 mi into trip|~5h 47m in|AZ 303 Loop
Turn right onto AZ 303 Loop
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
299 mi into trip|~6h 5m in
Take the exit toward El Mirage Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123
Toward El Mirage Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.78 one way
$121.56 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$64.32
$128.65
premium
$5.59
$67.16
$134.32
diesel
$5.61
$67.36
$134.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.5
1
$32.04
$14.64
Efficient EV
76.3
0
$26.70
$12.20
EV Truck/SUV
122
1
$42.71
$19.53
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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
Cottonwood, AZ
Evening
in Cottonwood on Saturday
Local time
7:15 PM
MDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Surprise, AZ
Evening
in Surprise on Saturday
Local time
6:15 PM
MST
Current temp
88°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
19 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
6h 18m 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.
Walnut Canyon National Monument
National Monument
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...
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$25
near mile 157.8
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
$10
near mile 210.4
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$25
near mile 157.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized by frequent turns, offering a hands-on local road experience rather than a straightforward interstate cruise, as indicated by its 0% highway share. You won't encounter long, uninterrupted stretches, making it a dynamic route where you'll be constantly engaged with the road. The profile suggests a drive that requires your attention and navigation skills more than a typical freeway journey. This turn-heavy nature means you'll likely experience a variety of road conditions and potentially slower speeds as you navigate through different local areas.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
38 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 166.6 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 21 significant decision points across 305.1 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 166.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 283.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cottonwood, AZ and Surprise, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Sun City is a suburb 20 miles (30km) northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was built as a planned retirement community in Maricopa County in the 1960s. An adjacent retirement community Sun City West was built in the late 1970s; there is also a Sun City Grand. Directly northwest of the three "Sun City" suburbs is Surprise, Arizona.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 18m. Total distance: 305.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 18m 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 Surprise, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 166.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 283.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Walnut Canyon National Monument, Montezuma Castle National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Surprise, AZ before the return drive.
