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Trip from Maryvale, AZ to Prescott, AZ

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 5m

Distance

100.7 mi

162 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 57m ★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

urban village in Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Maryvale, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Yavapai County, Arizona, United States

Prescott, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are looking to escape the Desert Southwest heat, the 100.7-mile journey from Maryvale to Prescott is a manageable trek that typically takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes. You will head out via West Indian School Road before transitioning to the North Black Canyon Highway and I-17 North. Budgeting approximately $20 for fuel makes this an economical excursion for a quick getaway. Because the total travel time is relatively short, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to head up in the morning and return by evening. It serves as a straightforward transition from the valley floor to the higher elevations of Arizona.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

50.4 miles from Maryvale, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Black Canyon Freeway 36 mi 39m
AZ 69 31.9 mi 41m
Arizona Veterans Highway 13.4 mi 13m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway 8.9 mi 9m
West Indian School Road 3.8 mi 7m
Prescott Lakes Parkway 2.3 mi 4m
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway 2.1 mi 3m
East Gurley Street 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Black Canyon Freeway — 36 mi, about 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Maryvale, AZ and Prescott, AZ.

1

Start on North 55th Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · North 55th Avenue
2

Turn left onto West Indian School Road

3.8 mi · 7 min · West Indian School Road
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway

406 ft · 10 sec · North Black Canyon Highway
Use the left lane.
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
5

Merge onto I 17

36 mi · 39 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 17

8.9 mi · 9 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 17

13 mi · 13 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
8

Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69

32 mi · 41 min · AZ 69
Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott Use the straight lane.
9

Turn right onto Prescott Lakes Parkway

1.5 mi · 2 min · Prescott Lakes Parkway
10

Enter roundabout onto Prescott Lakes Parkway

138 ft · 2 sec · Prescott Lakes Parkway
11

Continue on Prescott Lakes Parkway

0.7 mi · 1 min · Prescott Lakes Parkway
12

Turn left onto AZ 89

2.1 mi · 3 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 1 min
14

Turn straight onto AZ 89

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Gurley Street
15

Turn left onto South Marina Street

0.1 mi · 35 sec · South Marina Street
16

Turn right onto East Goodwin Street

345 ft · 15 sec · East Goodwin Street
17

Arrive at destination

East Goodwin Street

Trip Plan

Planning your departure is key to avoiding traffic congestion as you leave the Maryvale area. Since the entire trip covers 100.7 miles without any mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to power through the drive in one go or take your time as you transition toward Prescott. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before you leave, as the $20 estimate is based on standard driving conditions and current local prices. Because this is a turn-heavy local route, ensure your GPS is updated and ready to handle the specific local road transitions you will encounter early on. Taking advantage of the short duration allows you to maximize your time once you arrive at your destination.

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 50.4 miles from Maryvale, AZ, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36 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 22 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 50.4 miles or 59m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Prescott, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Maryvale, 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 Maryvale, AZ

This is one driving day of about 100.7 miles and 2h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Maryvale, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Black Canyon Freeway for about 36 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

census designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Black Canyon City, AZ

50 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

New River, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Black Canyon City, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 50.4 miles from Maryvale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 100.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | West Indian School Road

Turn left onto West Indian School Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
4.2 mi into trip | ~8m in | North Black Canyon Highway

Turn left onto North Black Canyon Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
4.6 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway

Merge onto I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
62.9 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in | AZ 69

Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69 toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
5
100.7 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in | East Goodwin Street

Turn right onto East Goodwin Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.06 one way

$40.12 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $21.23 $42.46
premium $5.59 $22.17 $44.33
diesel $5.61 $22.23 $44.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.2 0 $10.57 $4.83
Efficient EV 25.2 0 $8.81 $4.03
EV Truck/SUV 40.3 0 $14.10 $6.44

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (66% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Maryvale, AZ

Late night in Maryvale on Tuesday

Local time

1:14 AM

MST

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Prescott, AZ

Late night in Prescott on Tuesday

Local time

1:14 AM

MST

Current temp

64°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

20 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

2h 5m 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.

Tuzigoot National Monument

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...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour $10 near mile 83.4
Caution: High Levels of Visitation
View on nps.gov
Montezuma Castle National Monument

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...

25 mi from route ~63 min detour $10 near mile 83.4
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 turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate out of the Maryvale area. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires more active steering as you transition through the local road network toward the main highway corridors. Since the highway share is 0 percent, you should prepare for a driving experience defined by local navigation rather than high-speed cruising. The road dynamics shift notably as you leave the urban density behind, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns that define the first half of your journey. It is a technical drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel from start to finish.

70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 36 mi on Black Canyon Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Black Canyon Freeway and AZ 69. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near West Indian School Road.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 100.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (West Indian School Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Maryvale, AZ

Full guide →

Arriving in Prescott, AZ

Full guide →

Prescott is a city in Arizona, and the county seat of Yavapai County. It is home to the world's oldest rodeo, and to the famous Whiskey Row

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 2h 5m. Total distance: 100.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 36 miles on Black Canyon Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (West Indian School Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle National Monument. 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 Prescott, AZ before heading back.

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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