Traveling from Parks to Phoenix covers 160.5 miles across the beautiful Desert Southwest. You should budget approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes of active drive time to complete the journey. Because this is a relatively short distance, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. Plan for a fuel budget of about $31 to get you from the higher elevations of Parks down into the valley. Relying on local roads like Park Road, Garland Prairie Road, and the Purple Heart Trail, this drive offers a distinct departure from standard interstate travel. It is a straightforward, manageable trek that provides a clear connection between these two Arizona locations.
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
79.6 miles from Parks, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Parks, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on Spring Valley Road
264 ft·11 sec·Spring Valley Road
2
Turn left onto US 66 Old; US 89 Old
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Road
3
Turn right onto Garland Praire Road
0.2 mi·37 sec·Garland Praire Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
5
Merge onto I 40
16 mi·16 min·Purple Heart Trail
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 17, AZ 89A: Phoenix, Flagstaff
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A: Sedona, Phoenix
8
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi·1 hr 33 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
9
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 17
25 mi·28 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, TucsonUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 10
0.6 mi·41 sec·Papago Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 144AToward 7th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
17
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.
18
Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue
445 ft·16 sec·North 7th Avenue
19
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Roosevelt Street
20
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
29 ft·0 sec·North 1st Avenue
21
Keep slight right at fork onto North 1st Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North 1st Avenue
22
Turn left onto West Adams Street
0.1 mi·40 sec·West Adams Street
23
Turn right onto North 1st Street
408 ft·18 sec·North 1st Street
24
Turn right onto East Washington Street
453 ft·15 sec·East Washington Street
25
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 2-hour and 27-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. While the drive is short enough to tackle in one go, keep in mind that the lack of highway miles means your travel time is fixed, so plan accordingly to avoid unexpected delays. Budgeting $31 for fuel is a smart baseline, though keeping a little extra set aside is always wise for local road travel. Given the turn-heavy nature of this route, prioritize a departure during daylight hours to ensure you can clearly navigate the local road transitions. As you prepare, verify your navigation before leaving Parks to account for the multiple local roads you will encounter along the way.
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 79.6 miles from Parks, AZ, or about 1h 22m 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 35 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.6 miles or 1h 22m 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 14m
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 Parks, 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 Parks, AZ
This is one driving day of about 159.2 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Parks, 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.9 and 157.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
17.9 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 17 South, AZ 89A: Sedona, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A: Sedona, Phoenix
8
155.8 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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
155.9 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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
157.4 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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
157.6 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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
$31.71 one way
$63.43 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$33.56
$67.13
premium
$5.59
$35.04
$70.09
diesel
$5.61
$35.15
$70.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.8
0
$16.72
$7.64
Efficient EV
39.8
0
$13.93
$6.37
EV Truck/SUV
63.7
0
$22.29
$10.19
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 13, 2026
Origin
Parks, AZ
Evening
in Parks on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
MST
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Evening
in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
MST
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph7% 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 49m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$25
near mile 16.5
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 65.9
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...
17 mi from route
~41 min detour
$25
near mile 16.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a standard interstate grind, this route features zero highway miles, meaning you will be navigating local roads for the entire 160.5-mile duration. Because the longest stretch on any single road—Park Road—is 0 miles, you will find yourself frequently transitioning between different segments of the route. This personality makes for a more technical driving experience compared to a high-speed highway cruise. Stay alert as the road shifts, ensuring you remain comfortable with the constant turns inherent to this specific local path.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 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 17.9 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 18 significant decision points across 159.2 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 17.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.9 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
7,255 ft1,088 ft
Total Climb
1,469 ft
Total Descent
7,465 ft
Highest Point
7,255 ft
~11.4 mi in
Elevation Range
6,167 ft
Notable High Points
7,255 ft at ~11.4 miles+171 ft prominence
4,471 ft at ~79.6 miles+711 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 Parks, 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 2h 49m. Total distance: 159.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 49m 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.
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 17.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
