Peoria, AZ to Colorado City, AZ is 366.1 miles and takes about 7h 15m via Arizona Veterans Highway, Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway, and Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway, with a fuel budget near $70 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout its 366.1 miles. With only one recommended day, it's a straightforward drive that doesn't require an overnight stop. Plan for approximately $70 in fuel costs for this journey. It’s a practical route for getting between these two Arizona locations.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
183 miles from Peoria, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 21m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, AZ and Colorado City, AZ.
1
Start on North 83rd Avenue
128 ft·6 sec·North 83rd Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·Grand Avenue
3
Turn right onto North 91st Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·North 91st Avenue
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·56 sec
5
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
11 mi·12 min·Agua Fria Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 23Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, PhoenixUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, PhoenixUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
10
Merge onto I 17
23 mi·24 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi·1 hr 17 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
14
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi·43 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
16
Merge onto I 40
5.1 mi·5 min·Purple Heart Trail
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 89 North: Page
18
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus
0.5 mi·50 sec·Country Club Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 89
2.3 mi·3 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 89
21
Continue on US 89
38 mi·44 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
22
Enter roundabout onto US 89
156 ft·2 sec·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
23
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi·2 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
24
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 89
25
Continue on US 89
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
26
Turn left onto US 89A
84 mi·1 hr 53 min·Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway
27
Continue on US 89A
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
28
Turn left onto AZ 389
0.6 mi·1 min·West Pratt Street
29
Continue on AZ 389
30 mi·34 min·Short Creek–Fredonia Highway
30
Turn right onto CR 377
1.4 mi·2 min·South Central Street
31
Turn left onto West Township Avenue
449 ft·17 sec·West Township Avenue
32
Turn left onto Heritage Lane
69 ft·3 sec·Heritage Lane
33
Arrive at destination
Heritage Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 15m drive time, leaving Peoria early in the morning is your best bet to complete this trip comfortably in one day. You'll have two planned stops, which should be sufficient for breaks along the 366.1-mile route. With the longest stretch being 90.6 miles, you can anticipate needing to fuel up and take a break roughly once per half of the journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move between the Arizona Veterans Highway and the surface roads; budgeting around $70 for fuel should cover it. Since it’s a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your stop times based on how you feel.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183 miles from Peoria, AZ, or about 3h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 81 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183 miles or 3h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colorado City, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Peoria, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Peoria, AZ
This is one driving day of about 366.1 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Peoria, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 90.6 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 144.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in|North 91st Avenue
Turn right onto North 91st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
12.7 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoenix
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 23
Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoen...
8
12.9 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 17 North, I 17 South: Flagstaff, Phoen...
6
143.9 mi into trip|~2h 33m in|US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
144.4 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|US 89 / Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Turn right onto US 89 / Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.74 one way
$147.48 round trip
$5.12/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.43
$78.22
$156.44
premium
$5.67
$81.78
$163.56
diesel
$6.18
$89.06
$178.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.8
1
$38.44
$17.57
Efficient EV
91.5
1
$32.03
$14.64
EV Truck/SUV
146.4
1
$51.25
$23.43
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Peoria, AZ
Afternoon
in Peoria on Tuesday
Local time
12:07 PM
MST
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Clear
NNE 0 to 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Colorado City, AZ
Afternoon
in Colorado City on Tuesday
Local time
12:07 PM
MST
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Cloudy
ENE 12 mph5% 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
19 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
7h 15m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
$10
near mile 88.4
Caution: Visiting During Monsoon Season (July-September)
The rich history of Pipe Spring and its flowing water comes alive as you explore the traditions of the Kaibab Paiute and the Mormon settlers through the museum, historic fort, cabins, and garden. Hike...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$10
near mile 353.5
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
~11 min detour
$25
near mile 151.5
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
$25
near mile 138.9
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...
10 mi from route
~24 min detour
$25
near mile 176.7
Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based & backcountry recreation. The recreation area stretches for hundreds of mil...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$30
near mile 265.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a low highway share of 11%, meaning most of your time will be spent on surface roads. You'll experience about 90.6 miles on the Arizona Veterans Highway as the longest continuous stretch before transitioning. Expect a driving experience that is mostly surface roads, offering a more direct connection to the landscape rather than high-speed cruising. Be prepared for slower speeds and potentially more varied road conditions compared to a full interstate drive.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.6 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 1.4 miles in near North 91st Avenue.
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 19 significant decision points across 366.1 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 1.4 miles (North 91st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
7,273 ft1,141 ft
Total Climb
11,066 ft
Total Descent
7,226 ft
Highest Point
7,273 ft
~156.9 mi in
Elevation Range
6,132 ft
Notable High Points
7,273 ft at ~156.9 miles+526 ft prominence
5,683 ft at ~235.3 miles+1,117 ft prominence
7,250 ft at ~313.8 miles+2,148 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 Peoria, AZ to Colorado City, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Peoria is a city inside of Phoenix, Arizona. Many visitors come to the area during the spring to see their favorite professional baseball team during Spring Training in the Cactus League.
Top landmarks
•Central School — school building in Peoria, Arizona
Colorado City is a city of 4,900 people (2018) straddling the Utah/Arizona border, although most of the city is on the Arizona side. The Utah portion is known as Hildale.
Colorado City is the largest and best-known polygamist community in the United States, and there are few facilities for travelers.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 15m. Total distance: 366.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Colorado City, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (North 91st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Pipe Spring National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colorado City, AZ before the return drive.
