Spanning 339.1 miles across the Desert Southwest, this journey from Fredonia to Phoenix typically takes about 5 hours and 43 minutes. Because the route is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for a single, focused day of travel rather than a multi-day trek. You should budget approximately $66 for fuel to cover the distance. While the trip is manageable in one go, the winding nature of the roads means you will want to stay alert behind the wheel. Given the local road focus, this drive offers a distinct departure from standard interstate travel through Arizona.
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
168.7 miles from Fredonia, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 35m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Fredonia, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 389
47 ft·3 sec·West Pratt Street
2
Turn right onto US 89A
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
3
Continue on US 89A
84 mi·1 hr 53 min·Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 89
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
5
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi·26 sec·US 89
6
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi·2 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
7
Enter roundabout onto US 89
154 ft·2 sec·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
8
Continue on US 89
38 mi·44 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
9
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 89
10
Continue on US 89
2.3 mi·4 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
11
Turn left onto Country Club Drive
0.3 mi·51 sec·Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 40
4.7 mi·5 min·Purple Heart Trail
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
16
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi·1 hr 33 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
17
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Continue on I 17
25 mi·28 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, TucsonUse the slight left lane.
23
Merge onto I 10
0.6 mi·41 sec·Papago Freeway
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 144AToward 7th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
25
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.
26
Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue
445 ft·16 sec·North 7th Avenue
27
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Roosevelt Street
28
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
29 ft·0 sec·North 1st Avenue
29
Keep slight right at fork onto North 1st Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North 1st Avenue
30
Turn left onto West Adams Street
0.1 mi·40 sec·West Adams Street
31
Turn right onto North 1st Street
408 ft·18 sec·North 1st Street
32
Turn right onto East Washington Street
453 ft·15 sec·East Washington Street
33
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
For the best experience, plan your departure early in the morning to allow plenty of daylight for the winding sections of the Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway. Since this is a turn-heavy route, pacing yourself with at least one planned stop is essential to avoid fatigue. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as local roads can lead to unpredictable consumption rates compared to high-speed interstates. Budgeting the full $66 for gas upfront will help you avoid any mid-trip stress. Given the technical nature of these roads, prioritize steady, consistent speeds to navigate the turns safely.
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 168.7 miles from Fredonia, AZ, or about 3h 35m 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 74 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.7 miles or 3h 35m 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 33m
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 Fredonia, 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 Fredonia, AZ
This is one driving day of about 337.5 miles and 6h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Fredonia, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 190.4 and 335.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
190.4 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
334 mi into trip|~6h 34m 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
334.2 mi into trip|~6h 34m 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
335.6 mi into trip|~6h 36m 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
335.9 mi into trip|~6h 36m 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
$67.23 one way
$134.47 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$71.15
$142.31
premium
$5.59
$74.29
$148.58
diesel
$5.61
$74.52
$149.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.3
1
$35.44
$16.20
Efficient EV
84.4
0
$29.53
$13.50
EV Truck/SUV
135
1
$47.25
$21.60
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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 14, 2026
Origin
Fredonia, AZ
Evening
in Fredonia on Saturday
Local time
6:08 PM
MST
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Evening
in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
6:08 PM
MST
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
W 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
2 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 41m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$25
near mile 174.6
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$25
near mile 186.2
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
$25
near mile 162.9
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
~31 min detour
$30
near mile 69.8
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical and engaging experience rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate primarily via South Main Street, the Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway, and the Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway. Because the path is composed entirely of local roads, the drive requires constant attention to turns and transitions. There is no long, uninterrupted stretch, with the longest segment being 0 miles on South Main Street. This layout ensures you are constantly adjusting to the road ahead as you transition through the desert landscape.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 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 190.4 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 20 significant decision points across 337.5 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 190.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 334 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 334.2 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 Fredonia, AZ to Phoenix, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Flagstaff along the way.
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 6h 41m. Total distance: 337.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 41m 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 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 190.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 334 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 334.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 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.
