Origin
Paradise Valley, AZ
Afternoon in Paradise Valley on Sunday
Local time
1:24 PM
MST
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Paradise Valley, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 43m
Distance
146.8 mi
236 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 51m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paradise Valley, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Flagstaff, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Paradise Valley to Flagstaff covers 149.7 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 21 minutes of driving time. Because this is a relatively short trip, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, though you may find that an overnight stay allows you more time to explore upon arrival. You will start your journey by navigating local thoroughfares like North Tatum Boulevard, East Shea Boulevard, and AZ 51 North. Budgeting approximately $30 for fuel should cover your needs for this trek across the Desert Southwest. Since the route is a turn-heavy local drive, it is best suited for those who prefer staying off the major interstates and navigating through the local landscape.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73.4 miles from Paradise Valley, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 91.1 mi | 1h 32m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 23.2 mi | 24m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| Piestewa Freeway | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| Pima Freeway | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| North Tatum Boulevard | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| East Lincoln Drive | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| South Milton Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 91.1 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paradise Valley, AZ and Flagstaff, AZ.
1
Start on East Lincoln Drive
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East Lincoln Drive
2
Turn right onto North Tatum Boulevard
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
North Tatum Boulevard
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto East Shea Boulevard
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
East Shea Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
175 ft
·
4 sec
Toward AZ 51 North
5
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
this road
Toward AZ 51 North
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto AZ 51
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Piestewa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 23C-B
Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
12
Merge onto I 17
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 17
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
16
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
17
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
18
Continue on AZ 89A
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
South Milton Road
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
449 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Historic Route 66
20
Arrive at destination
US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 21 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the trip is short enough to complete without scheduled stops, keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the roads makes it smart to stay alert and perhaps plan for a quick break to stretch your legs if you feel fatigued. Since you are navigating local roads rather than a standard highway, verify your navigation route carefully before you pull away from Paradise Valley. With a $30 fuel budget, it is easiest to ensure your tank is full before you leave to avoid searching for stations during the more technical portions of the drive. Focus on maintaining a steady pace, as the local road infrastructure demands consistent focus compared to a straight interstate shot.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.4 miles from Paradise Valley, AZ, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 32 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.4 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flagstaff, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Paradise Valley, 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 Paradise Valley, AZ
This is one driving day of about 146.8 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Paradise Valley, 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 91.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.4 miles from Paradise Valley, 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 91.1 miles.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 19.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
North Tatum Boulevard
Turn right onto North Tatum Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
7.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
AZ 51 / Piestewa Freeway
Merge onto AZ 51 / Piestewa Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
13.4 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward AZ 101 Loop West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward AZ 101 Loop West
8
19.3 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 23C-B
Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagsta...
7
19.8 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.24 one way
$58.49 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $30.95 | $61.90 |
| premium | $5.59 | $32.31 | $64.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.41 | $64.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44 | 0 | $15.41 | $7.05 |
| Efficient EV | 36.7 | 0 | $12.85 | $5.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.7 | 0 | $20.55 | $9.40 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Flagstaff, AZ
Afternoon in Flagstaff on Sunday
Local time
1:24 PM
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
23 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 43m 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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
$10
near mile 98.1
Caution: High Levels of Visitation
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 149.7
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
$25
near mile 149.7
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
~37 min detour
$10
near mile 98.1
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$25
near mile 149.7
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 unique experience behind the wheel, as this route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise. With a highway share of 0%, your attention will be focused on local roads and navigating the transitions between them. The path requires active driving, so you should anticipate plenty of turns as you progress from the valley floor toward the higher elevation of Flagstaff. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches mentioned, the drive maintains a consistent, engaging pace throughout the entire 149.7 miles. This lack of high-speed highway segments means the character of the road changes frequently as you maneuver through the local turns.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.1 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 1.9 miles in near North Tatum Boulevard.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 146.8 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 1.9 miles (North Tatum Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles (AZ 51 / Piestewa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Flagstaff, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1876
Flagstaff is a city of over 75,000 people (2019) near the San Francisco Peaks mountain range of northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon. At an altitude of 6,990 ft (2,130 m), Flagstaff and much of the surrounding region are substantially cooler than the low desert that dominates the southern part of the state. Though still dry by east coast standards, enough rain and snow falls in the area to allow a forest of ponderosa pine trees to cover the landscape. Winters tend to be cold, and heavy snowfall is expected on an annual basis.
Top landmarks
- • Lowell Observatory — astronomical observatory
- • Weatherford Hotel — United States historic place in Flagstaff, Arizona
- • First Baptist Church — historic church in Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
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 43m. Total distance: 146.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.1 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 Flagstaff, 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 1.9 miles (North Tatum Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles (AZ 51 / Piestewa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (5 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 Flagstaff, 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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