Gilbert, AZ to Colorado City, AZ is 391.7 miles and takes about 7h 45m via Arizona Veterans Highway, with a fuel budget near $74 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest region, primarily traversing Arizona. Expect a trip dominated by surface roads rather than major highways, offering a more rural cruising experience. With only two recommended stops and a longest stretch of over 90 miles, it's a manageable one-day excursion if you're looking for a direct route between these two points.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
195.8 miles from Gilbert, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 36m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Gilbert, AZ and Colorado City, AZ.
1
Start on this road
203 ft·20 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto North Elm Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·North Elm Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
440 ft·23 sec·East Vaughn Avenue
4
Turn right onto North Gilbert Road
2.1 mi·4 min·North Gilbert Road
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward US 60 West: PhoenixUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto US 60
9.8 mi·11 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
0.6 mi·38 sec·US 60
Toward I 10 North
8
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.9 mi·5 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
4.2 mi·4 min·Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: FlagstaffUse the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 17; US 60
41 mi·45 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi·1 hr 17 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
14
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi·43 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
16
Merge onto I 40
5.1 mi·5 min·Purple Heart Trail
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 89 North: Page
18
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus
0.5 mi·50 sec·Country Club Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 89
2.3 mi·3 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 89
21
Continue on US 89
38 mi·44 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
22
Enter roundabout onto US 89
156 ft·2 sec·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
23
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi·2 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
24
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 89
25
Continue on US 89
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
26
Turn left onto US 89A
84 mi·1 hr 53 min·Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway
27
Continue on US 89A
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
28
Turn left onto AZ 389
0.6 mi·1 min·West Pratt Street
29
Continue on AZ 389
30 mi·34 min·Short Creek–Fredonia Highway
30
Turn right onto CR 377
1.4 mi·2 min·South Central Street
31
Turn left onto West Township Avenue
449 ft·17 sec·West Township Avenue
32
Turn left onto Heritage Lane
69 ft·3 sec·Heritage Lane
33
Arrive at destination
Heritage Lane
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 45m drive, consider an early morning departure from Gilbert, AZ, to ensure you have ample daylight for the 391.7-mile trip. The route has two suggested stops, which should be sufficient for stretching your legs and refueling, especially since the longest stretch between services is 90.6 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; with a budget of $74, it's best to fill up before you leave Gilbert or at the first available opportunity. Since this is a one-day drive, flexibility is key, but plan your final fuel stop strategically before reaching Colorado City, AZ.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 195.8 miles from Gilbert, AZ, or about 3h 36m 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 86 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195.8 miles or 3h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colorado City, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gilbert, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gilbert, AZ
This is one driving day of about 391.7 miles and 7h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Gilbert, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 170 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|East Vaughn Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
2.5 mi into trip|~5m in
Turn left toward US 60 West: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 60 West: Phoenix
8
18 mi into trip|~24m in|US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
6
169.5 mi into trip|~3h 3m 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
170 mi into trip|~3h 4m 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
$79.87 one way
$159.73 round trip
$5.18/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.48
$84.57
$169.14
premium
$5.74
$88.44
$176.88
diesel
$6.18
$95.29
$190.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$80
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$105–$130
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 137 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.5
1
$41.13
$18.80
Efficient EV
97.9
1
$34.27
$15.67
EV Truck/SUV
156.7
1
$54.84
$25.07
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Gilbert, AZ
Late night
in Gilbert on Tuesday
Local time
2:29 AM
MST
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 0 to 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Colorado City, AZ
Late night
in Colorado City on Tuesday
Local time
2:29 AM
MST
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Cloudy
ENE 12 mph5% 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
18 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
7h 45m 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.
Pipe Spring National Monument
National Monument
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10
near mile 378.2
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10
near mile 121.6
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$25
near mile 175.6
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 175.6
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
$25
near mile 202.6
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$30
near mile 283.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route involves primarily surface roads, accounting for 83% of the drive. Major highways make up the remaining 17%. You'll encounter a longest continuous stretch of 90.6 miles on the Arizona Veterans Highway. Given the prevalence of surface roads, anticipate a more relaxed pace of driving compared to interstate travel. The drive will feel rural for most of its duration.
Only 17% 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: 90.6 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 0.3 miles in near East Vaughn Avenue.
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 20 significant decision points across 391.7 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 0.3 miles (East Vaughn Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
7,562 ft1,126 ft
Total Climb
10,925 ft
Total Descent
7,181 ft
Highest Point
7,562 ft
~335.7 mi in
Elevation Range
6,437 ft
Notable High Points
3,761 ft at ~83.9 miles+645 ft prominence
6,835 ft at ~167.9 miles+351 ft prominence
5,517 ft at ~251.8 miles+987 ft prominence
7,562 ft at ~335.7 miles+2,556 ft prominence
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 Gilbert, AZ to Colorado City, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Gilbert is in the southeast valley of the Greater Phoenix region of Arizona. With a population of 270,000 (2021 est.) it is the largest town in the US. people. Once a railway town and the "Hay Capital of the World", Gilbert is now a diverse suburban center, retaining its agricultural and railroad history and celebrating its "small town" feel.
Colorado City is a city of 4,900 people (2018) straddling the Utah/Arizona border, although most of the city is on the Arizona side. The Utah portion is known as Hildale.
Colorado City is the largest and best-known polygamist community in the United States, and there are few facilities for travelers.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 45m. Total distance: 391.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 45m 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.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Colorado City, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (East Vaughn Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pipe Spring National Monument, Montezuma Castle National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano 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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colorado City, AZ before the return drive.
