Traveling from Kaibito to Phoenix covers 265.6 miles through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 22 minutes behind the wheel for this journey, which is best tackled as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $52 for fuel to make the trek comfortably. Navigating this route involves a sequence of local roads, including Route 6331, Route 21, and Route 6262. Because this is a turn-heavy drive rather than a straight interstate cruise, you will want to stay alert throughout the duration of your trip.
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
131.4 miles from Kaibito, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Kaibito, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on Navajo Route 6331
1.2 mi·2 min·Navajo Route 6331
2
Continue on N21
5.7 mi·13 min·Navajo Route 21
3
Continue on N21
5.2 mi·12 min·Navajo Route 21
4
Keep slight left at fork onto N21
8.2 mi·19 min·Navajo Route 21
5
Turn right onto N6262
2.1 mi·4 min·Navajo Route 6262
6
Merge onto US 160
31 mi·35 min·Navajo Trail
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 89
14 mi·16 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
8
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi·26 sec·US 89
9
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi·2 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
10
Enter roundabout onto US 89
154 ft·2 sec·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
11
Continue on US 89
38 mi·44 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
12
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 89
13
Continue on US 89
2.3 mi·4 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
14
Turn left onto Country Club Drive
0.3 mi·51 sec·Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Use the right lane.
16
Merge onto I 40
4.7 mi·5 min·Purple Heart Trail
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
19
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi·1 hr 33 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
20
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
23
Continue on I 17
25 mi·28 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
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.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, TucsonUse the slight left lane.
26
Merge onto I 10
0.6 mi·41 sec·Papago Freeway
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 144AToward 7th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
28
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.
29
Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue
445 ft·16 sec·North 7th Avenue
30
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Roosevelt Street
31
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
29 ft·0 sec·North 1st Avenue
32
Keep slight right at fork onto North 1st Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North 1st Avenue
33
Turn left onto West Adams Street
0.1 mi·40 sec·West Adams Street
34
Turn right onto North 1st Street
408 ft·18 sec·North 1st Street
35
Turn right onto East Washington Street
453 ft·15 sec·East Washington Street
36
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4 hour and 22 minute commitment, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the turns. Leaving early in the day is a smart strategy to avoid fatigue while navigating the local roads of Route 6331 and Route 21. Keep your $52 fuel budget in mind, and consider fueling up before you head out to avoid any mid-route stress. Because the route is composed of local roads rather than interstates, your pace will likely be slower than expected. Prioritize patience and flexibility, as the technical nature of these specific roads makes this a drive to be savored rather than rushed.
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 131.4 miles from Kaibito, AZ, or about 3h 5m 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 58 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.4 miles or 3h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 29m
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 Kaibito, 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 Kaibito, AZ
This is one driving day of about 262.7 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Kaibito, 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.6 and 261.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
115.6 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
259.3 mi into trip|~5h 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
259.4 mi into trip|~5h 17m 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
260.9 mi into trip|~5h 19m 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
261.1 mi into trip|~5h 19m 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
$52.33 one way
$104.67 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$55.38
$110.77
premium
$5.59
$57.83
$115.65
diesel
$5.61
$58.00
$116.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.8
0
$27.58
$12.61
Efficient EV
65.7
0
$22.99
$10.51
EV Truck/SUV
105.1
1
$36.78
$16.81
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Kaibito, AZ
Evening
in Kaibito on Saturday
Local time
8:46 PM
MDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Evening
in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
7:46 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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
35 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
5h 24m 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.
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
~10 min detour
$10
near mile 172.1
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 108.7
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
~17 min detour
$25
near mile 117.8
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...
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 172.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is defined by its turn-heavy, local road nature, offering a significantly different experience than a standard highway cruise. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating local routes exclusively rather than high-speed interstates. The lack of long, uninterrupted stretches means you will remain actively engaged with the road throughout the 265.6-mile distance. Expect a more technical, winding drive as you transition through the desert landscape. It is a steady, hands-on experience that requires your full attention from start to finish.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 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?
10/10
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 115.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 262.7 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 115.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 259.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,851 ft1,088 ft
Total Climb
3,312 ft
Total Descent
8,036 ft
Highest Point
6,851 ft
~112.6 mi in
Elevation Range
5,763 ft
Notable High Points
5,831 ft at ~18.8 miles+18 ft prominence
6,851 ft at ~112.6 miles+162 ft prominence
4,157 ft at ~187.7 miles+694 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 Kaibito, 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 5h 24m. Total distance: 262.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m 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.
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 115.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 259.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.4 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 (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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.
