Traveling from Deer Valley to Fredonia spans 321 miles and requires approximately 6 hours and 19 minutes of driving time. Since the entire journey remains within the Desert Southwest region, you will experience a consistent environment as you head north. This trip is manageable as a single-day excursion, though the duration makes it a full commitment behind the wheel. You should budget roughly $64 for fuel to complete the trek. Given the distance, it is a straightforward drive that works best when you are prepared for a long day on the road.
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
160.5 miles from Deer Valley, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Deer Valley, AZ and Fredonia, AZ.
1
Start on North 35th Avenue
1.0 mi·1 min·North 35th Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto West Pinnacle Peak Road
1.3 mi·2 min·West Pinnacle Peak Road
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway
0.1 mi·13 sec·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 17 North
5
Merge onto I 17
22 mi·22 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi·1 hr 17 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
9
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi·43 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
11
Merge onto I 40
5.1 mi·5 min·Purple Heart Trail
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 89 North: Page
13
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus
0.5 mi·50 sec·Country Club Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 89
2.3 mi·3 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 89
16
Continue on US 89
38 mi·44 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
17
Enter roundabout onto US 89
156 ft·2 sec·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
18
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi·2 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
19
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 89
20
Continue on US 89
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
21
Turn left onto US 89A
84 mi·1 hr 53 min·Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway
22
Continue on US 89A
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
23
Turn left onto AZ 389
47 ft·1 sec·West Pratt Street
24
Arrive at destination
AZ 389
Trip Plan
Planning a departure early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate the 321-mile distance before the sun sets. While you only have one planned stop, take advantage of it to stretch your legs and ensure your fuel levels remain sufficient for the rural stretches ahead. Because this route relies heavily on local roads, keep a close watch on your speed and navigation as conditions change between the main highway segments. Since the route is manageable in one day, focus your energy on maintaining a steady pace rather than rushing through the technical sections. Always double-check your fuel gauge before leaving the more populated areas of Deer Valley to avoid any concerns on the remote portions of the drive.
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 160.5 miles from Deer Valley, AZ, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 71 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.5 miles or 2h 54m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fredonia, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Deer Valley, 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 Deer Valley, AZ
This is one driving day of about 321 miles and 6h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Deer Valley, 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 90.6 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 1 and 131 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1 mi into trip|~1m in|West Pinnacle Peak Road
At end of road, turn right onto West Pinnacle Peak Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in|North Black Canyon Highway
Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in|I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge onto I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
130.5 mi into trip|~2h 16m in|US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
131 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|US 89 / Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Turn right onto US 89 / Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.95 one way
$127.89 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$67.68
$135.35
premium
$5.59
$70.66
$141.32
diesel
$5.61
$70.87
$141.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.3
1
$33.71
$15.41
Efficient EV
80.3
0
$28.09
$12.84
EV Truck/SUV
128.4
1
$44.94
$20.54
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
38 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 18, 2026
Origin
Deer Valley, AZ
Evening
in Deer Valley on Saturday
Local time
6:11 PM
MST
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 12:22PM MST until April 19 at 1:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 12:22PM MST until April 19 at 1:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Destination
Fredonia, AZ
Evening
in Fredonia on Saturday
Local time
6:11 PM
MST
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
E 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 12:22PM MST until April 19 at 1:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 12:22PM MST until April 19 at 1:00PM MST by NWS Tucson 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 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...
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 143.9
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
$25
near mile 132.8
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...
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
$10
near mile 77.5
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 that demands your full attention rather than a simple interstate cruise. Only 9% of this route consists of traditional highways, meaning you will spend most of your time navigating local stretches. You will cover 90.6 miles on the Arizona Veterans Highway, which marks the longest uninterrupted leg of your journey. As you transition onto the Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway and the Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway, the road conditions shift to reflect a more technical, winding experience. Prepare for a dynamic drive that keeps you engaged throughout the duration of the trip.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.6 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 1 miles in near West Pinnacle Peak Road.
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 321 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 1 miles (West Pinnacle Peak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
On the drive from Deer Valley, AZ to Fredonia, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 19m. Total distance: 321 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 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 90.6 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 Fredonia, 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 1 miles (West Pinnacle Peak Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Walnut Canyon 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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fredonia, AZ before the return drive.
