Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Holbrook, AZ to Surprise, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 4m
Distance
229.4 mi
369 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 51m
★
6 AM
4h 4m
8 AM
4h 30m
10 AM
4h 13m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 29m
8 PM
3h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Holbrook, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Surprise, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 229.4-mile drive from Holbrook, AZ to Surprise, AZ will take you about 4 hours and 4 minutes of pure driving time. It's a manageable one-day trip, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost is around $46, making it a budget-friendly option. You'll primarily be on the Arizona Veterans Highway and Purple Heart Trail, with a portion on the Black Canyon Freeway. This route offers a desert Southwest experience throughout, as both your origin and destination are within this region. Plan for a day with a steady pace and a few turns.
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
114.7 miles from Holbrook, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 93 mi | 1h 33m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 88.6 mi | 1h 29m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 13.9 mi | 14m |
| Bob Stump Memorial Parkway | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 5.8 mi | 5m |
| North El Mirage Road | 5.1 mi | 9m |
| North Black Canyon Highway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| West Hopi Drive | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 93 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Holbrook, AZ and Surprise, AZ.
1
Start on I 40 Bus; AZ 77; US 66 Hist
244 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Navajo Boulevard
2
Turn right onto US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Hopi Drive
3
Take the ramp onto US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Holbrook-Springerville Highway
4
Merge onto I 40; US 180
89 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
6
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
7
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
8
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 17
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 221
Toward AZ 303 Loop South
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto AZ 303 Loop
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
AZ 303 Loop
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
45 sec
15
Continue on this road
411 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
17
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
19
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
this road
20
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 123
Toward El Mirage Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Exit 123
Toward El Mirage Road
23
Turn left onto North El Mirage Road
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
North El Mirage Road
Use the right lane.
24
Turn right onto West Paradise Lane
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Paradise Lane
25
Turn left onto North Nash Street
88 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Nash Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Nash Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, leaving in the morning is ideal to give you plenty of daylight for the drive and any spontaneous stops. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 93-mile stretch on Arizona Veterans Highway, as services might be less frequent. The $46 fuel cost is an estimate, so budgeting a little extra is always wise. Since this is a single-day trip, aim to depart early to maximize your time at your destination in Surprise, AZ.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 114.7 miles from Holbrook, AZ, or about 1h 58m 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 50 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.7 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surprise, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Holbrook, 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 Holbrook, AZ
This is one driving day of about 229.4 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Holbrook, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.7 miles from Holbrook, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Meteor Crater Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Sunset Point Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
McGuireville Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
McGuireville Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Meteor Crater Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rocky Mountain Truck Centers
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.8 mi from route
Vehicle Inspection Station AZDOT
1.1 mi from route
Navajo County Historical Society
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Holbrook, Arizona
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19285246558
Visit websiteStandin' on The Corner Foundation
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
mile 32.8
Winslow, AZ
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteMontezuma Well
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
mile 131.1
Rimrock, Arizona
Hours: 9 am–4:45 pm
+19285674521
Visit websitePioneer Living History Museum
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~10 min detour
4.2 mi from route
~10 min detour
mile 213
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+16234651052
Visit websiteFort Tuthill County Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
mile 98.3
Flagstaff, Arizona
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19286798000
Visit websiteFlagstaff Snow Park
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
mile 98.3
Flagstaff, Arizona
+19282245938
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 90.8 and 223.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
90.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m 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
91 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m 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
207.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
Take the exit toward AZ 303 Loop South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 221
Toward AZ 303 Loop South
6
208.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
|
AZ 303 Loop
Turn right onto AZ 303 Loop
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
223.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward El Mirage Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 123
Toward El Mirage Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.70 one way
$91.40 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $48.36 | $96.73 |
| premium | $5.59 | $50.50 | $100.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.65 | $101.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.8 | 0 | $24.09 | $11.01 |
| Efficient EV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.07 | $9.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.8 | 1 | $32.12 | $14.68 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Holbrook, AZ
Evening in Holbrook on Saturday
Local time
7:47 PM
MST
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Surprise, AZ
Evening in Surprise on Saturday
Local time
7:47 PM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live 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
12 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
4h 4m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
$25
near mile 79.1
View on nps.gov
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
$10
near mile 134.5
View on nps.gov
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
National Monument
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$25
near mile 79.1
View on nps.gov
Tuzigoot National Monument
National Monument
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
~38 min detour
$10
near mile 142.4
View on nps.gov
Petrified Forest National Park
National Park
A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$25
View on nps.gov
Wupatki National Monument
National Monument
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
~62 min detour
$25
near mile 79.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that's more about navigating local roads than cruising on interstates, with only 12% of the journey on highways. The profile is described as 'turn-heavy local drive,' so stay alert. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 93 miles along the Arizona Veterans Highway, offering a good period of consistent travel before you start making more frequent turns. You'll experience a mix of driving styles, transitioning from more open highway segments to navigating through areas with more frequent road changes.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 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 90.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 229.4 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 90.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 207.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Holbrook, AZ and Surprise, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Flagstaff
90.8 mi in
|
~1h 33m
Phoenix
91 mi in
|
~1h 33m
About the Cities
Starting in Holbrook, AZ
Full guide →Holbrook is a town on Route 66 in the Mogollon Rim in Eastern Arizona, once known as the "town too rough for women and churches." The town makes a convenient base for visiting Petrified Forest National Park.
Arriving in Surprise, AZ
Full guide →Sun City is a suburb 20 miles (30km) northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was built as a planned retirement community in Maricopa County in the 1960s. An adjacent retirement community Sun City West was built in the late 1970s; there is also a Sun City Grand. Directly northwest of the three "Sun City" suburbs is Surprise, Arizona.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 229.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 13 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 Surprise, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 90.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 207.9 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 (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Surprise, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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