Kachina Village, AZ to Phoenix, AZ is 136 miles and takes about 2h 25m via Arizona Veterans Highway and Black Canyon Freeway, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive traverses the Desert Southwest, connecting two points within Arizona. Expect a route with frequent turns, suggesting a need for attention to navigation. Given its relatively short duration and manageable fuel cost, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
68 miles from Kachina Village, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Kachina Village, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on Kachina Trail
0.1 mi·19 sec·Kachina Trail
2
Continue on Kachina Trail
0.5 mi·1 min·Kachina Trail
3
Turn left onto Kachina Boulevard
518 ft·16 sec·Kachina Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
5
Merge onto I 17
87 mi·1 hr 27 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
6
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 17
25 mi·28 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, TucsonUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 10
0.6 mi·41 sec·Papago Freeway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 144AToward 7th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
14
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.
15
Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue
445 ft·16 sec·North 7th Avenue
16
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Roosevelt Street
17
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
29 ft·0 sec·North 1st Avenue
18
Keep slight right at fork onto North 1st Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North 1st Avenue
19
Turn left onto West Adams Street
0.1 mi·40 sec·West Adams Street
20
Turn right onto North 1st Street
408 ft·18 sec·North 1st Street
21
Turn right onto East Washington Street
453 ft·15 sec·East Washington Street
22
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
For this 136-mile trip, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. Since the drive is under 3 hours, you can easily complete it in one day without needing to split it. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $27, and plan your stops accordingly. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to your GPS or maps, especially when transitioning between the Arizona Veterans Highway and the Black Canyon Freeway, due to the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 68 miles from Kachina Village, AZ, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87 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 30 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 53m
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 Kachina Village, 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 Kachina Village, AZ
This is one driving day of about 136 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Kachina Village, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 87 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 132.6 and 135.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
132.6 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
132.8 mi into trip|~2h 18m 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
134.2 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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
134.4 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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...
5
135.9 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|North 1st Street
Turn right onto North 1st Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.09 one way
$54.19 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$28.67
$57.34
premium
$5.59
$29.94
$59.87
diesel
$5.61
$30.03
$60.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.8
0
$14.28
$6.53
Efficient EV
34
0
$11.90
$5.44
EV Truck/SUV
54.4
0
$19.04
$8.70
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Kachina Village, AZ
Night
in Kachina Village on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
MST
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Night
in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
MST
Current temp
93°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
61 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
2h 25m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
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...
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 42.2
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 26% of the route on highways. You'll experience a dynamic road personality, shifting between faster highway sections and more involved local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 87 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires active navigation and a good sense of direction.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87 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 132.6 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 14 significant decision points across 136 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 132.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 2h 25m. Total distance: 136 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 132.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Tuzigoot National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Phoenix, AZ before heading back.
