Cottonwood, AZ to Peoria, AZ is 304.6 miles and takes about 6h 14m 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 straightforward drive from one point to another. It's a solid option if you need to cover ground efficiently between these two locations without extensive detours. Consider this route for its directness and manageable driving time.
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
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Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood, AZ and Peoria, 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
10 mi·11 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 214CToward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop EastUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward AZ 101 Loop WestUse the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
10 mi·12 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 11Toward 91st Avenue, Grand Avenue, Cactus Road, SurpriseUse the slight right lane.
28
Continue on North 91st Avenue
0.2 mi·21 sec·North 91st Avenue
29
Turn left onto US 60
1.3 mi·2 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto North 83rd Avenue
229 ft·37 sec·North 83rd Avenue
31
Continue on North 83rd Avenue
77 ft·2 sec·North 83rd Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
North 83rd Avenue
Trip Plan
Leaving Cottonwood in the morning is recommended to make the most of the daylight for your 6h 14m drive. With 304.6 miles to cover and a fuel cost estimated around $60, it’s a comfortable one-day trip. Plan for one primary stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway mark. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the 93-mile stretch of Arizona Veterans Highway, as services might be less frequent in some sections. This route is direct enough that you can adjust your timing based on how you feel.
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 Peoria, 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 14m.
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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 166.6 and 302.3 — 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
8
290.5 mi into trip|~5h 55m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 214C
Toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
7
290.9 mi into trip|~5h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 101 Loop West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop West
8
302.3 mi into trip|~6h 9m in
Take the exit toward 91st Avenue, Grand Avenue, Cactus Road, Surprise
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward 91st Avenue, Grand Avenue, Cactus Road,...
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
3:12 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
Peoria, AZ
Late night
in Peoria on Sunday
Local time
2:12 AM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph26% 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 14m 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 is primarily on surface roads, with highways making up 26% of the total mileage. You'll experience a longest stretch of 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway, offering a chance for consistent cruising. After the highway segments, expect to transition to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. This means you'll likely encounter more varied speed limits and potentially more local traffic as you approach your destination.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 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?
8/10
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 Effort8/10
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 304.6 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 290.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,825 ft1,141 ft
Total Climb
2,608 ft
Total Descent
7,543 ft
Highest Point
6,825 ft
~174.1 mi in
Elevation Range
5,684 ft
Notable High Points
5,648 ft at ~65.3 miles+13 ft prominence
6,825 ft at ~174.1 miles+561 ft prominence
3,799 ft at ~239.4 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 Peoria, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Peoria is a city inside of Phoenix, Arizona. Many visitors come to the area during the spring to see their favorite professional baseball team during Spring Training in the Cactus League.
Top landmarks
•Central School — school building in Peoria, Arizona
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 14m. Total distance: 304.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 14m 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.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Peoria, 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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 290.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 6.2 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 Peoria, AZ before the return drive.
