Cottonwood, AZ to Glendale, AZ is 304.6 miles and takes about 6h 15m via Arizona Veterans Highway, Purple Heart Trail, and Winslow–Kayenta Highway, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape for the entire drive. It's a single-day option that covers a moderate distance, making it suitable if you prefer to reach your destination without an overnight stop. Plan for a drive that will keep you on surface roads for a significant portion, so be prepared for a more varied pace than a pure interstate 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
152.3 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 Glendale, 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
20 mi·22 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 205Toward Glendale AvenueUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn straight onto North Black Canyon Highway
0.1 mi·16 sec·North Black Canyon Highway
26
Turn right onto West Glendale Avenue
4.0 mi·8 min·West Glendale Avenue
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto North 57th Drive
0.2 mi·35 sec·North 57th Drive
28
Turn right onto US 60
0.2 mi·24 sec·Grand Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
US 60
Trip Plan
For this 6h 15m drive, leaving Cottonwood in the morning should give you ample time to reach Glendale before dark. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a point that breaks up the drive comfortably, perhaps after covering the 93-mile stretch on Arizona Veterans Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to surface roads where service stations might be less frequent. The $60 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer, particularly if you plan any detours or encounter unexpected traffic.
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 152.3 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 152.3 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 12m
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 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 304.6 miles and 6h 15m.
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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 166.6 and 304.4 — 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
299.9 mi into trip|~6h 5m 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
300.2 mi into trip|~6h 6m in|West Glendale Avenue
Turn right onto West Glendale Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
304.4 mi into trip|~6h 15m in|US 60 / Grand Avenue
Turn right onto US 60 / Grand Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.98 one way
$107.95 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$57.80
$115.60
premium
$5.04
$60.46
$120.93
diesel
$4.80
$57.51
$115.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.4
1
$31.98
$14.62
Efficient EV
76.2
0
$26.65
$12.18
EV Truck/SUV
121.8
1
$42.64
$19.49
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Cottonwood, AZ
Late night
in Cottonwood on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
MDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 to 10 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:09PM MST until July 17 at 1:15PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:02PM MST until July 17 at 2:15PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Glendale, AZ
Late night
in Glendale on Sunday
Local time
12:00 AM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:09PM MST until July 17 at 1:15PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:02PM MST until July 17 at 2:15PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
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
10 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 15m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$10
near mile 210.1
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 157.6
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
~40 min detour
$10
near mile 210.1
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 157.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 26% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a named highway is 93 miles along Arizona Veterans Highway. Expect to transition from highway speeds to more frequent stops and slower speeds as you move onto the surface road segments. You'll notice the change in driving environment as you leave the higher-speed highway sections behind.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 166.6 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 304.6 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 299.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,825 ft1,128 ft
Total Climb
2,611 ft
Total Descent
7,478 ft
Highest Point
6,825 ft
~174.1 mi in
Elevation Range
5,697 ft
Notable High Points
5,651 ft at ~65.3 miles+16 ft prominence
6,825 ft at ~174.1 miles+562 ft prominence
3,799 ft at ~239.3 miles+633 ft prominence
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 Glendale, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Glendale is one of the largest suburbs in the metropolitan Phoenix area, and is rapidly growing as a media/entertainment center in the Valley of the Sun. It was home to over 250,000 people in 2019.
Top landmarks
•Catlin Court Historic District — historic district in Glendale, Arizona, USA
•Floralcroft Historic District — historic district in Glendale. Arizona
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 15m. Total distance: 304.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 15m 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 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 299.9 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 12.5 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.
