Phoenix, AZ to Fredericksburg, VA is 2247.5 miles and takes about 40h 29m via Purple Heart Trail, I 40, and Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $465 and enough daylight to finish in a day.
This is a long-haul drive that crosses the country from the Desert Southwest to the Southeast. You'll traverse a variety of landscapes as you head east. With a recommended four days for this trip, it's designed for those who want to cover significant ground efficiently. Plan for multiple overnight stops along the way.
Trip Pace
Best split across 4 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
11 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
1123.8 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 19h 53m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 316 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,311 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,617
Quietest
2 AM
~183 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Fredericksburg, VA.
1
Start on West Washington Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·North 7th Avenue
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
4
Merge onto I 10
0.5 mi·31 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
5
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.1 mi·7 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi·41 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop East
8
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
12 mi·14 min·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 13Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, PaysonUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto AZ 87
0.5 mi·1 min·North Country Club Drive
11
Continue on AZ 87
4.5 mi·5 min·North Beeline Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Continue on AZ 87
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto AZ 260
53 mi·1 hr 11 min·AZ 260
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto AZ 277
1.9 mi·3 min·Highway 277
15
Continue on AZ 277
4.9 mi·6 min·West 3rd Street North
16
Turn left onto AZ 377
2.9 mi·3 min·Heber-Holbrook Highway
17
Turn straight onto AZ 377
31 mi·36 min·Heber Road
18
Turn left onto AZ 77
1.6 mi·2 min·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
19
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.5 mi·56 sec·Holbrook-Springerville Highway
20
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.9 mi·1 min·Navajo Boulevard
21
Take the exit onto AZ 77
0.6 mi·1 min·AZ 77
22
Merge onto I 40; AZ 77
667 mi·11 hr 18 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on I 40
11 mi·10 min·Great Western Cattle Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 40
24 mi·25 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 40
2.6 mi·2 min·Senator Ed Berrong Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 40
65 mi·1 hr 6 min·Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 40; US 270
5.8 mi·7 min·Crosstown Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270
12 mi·13 min·Tinker Diagonal
Exit 128Toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort SmithUse the slight left lane.
29
Continue on I 40; US 270; OK 3
75 mi·1 hr 17 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on I 40
1.4 mi·1 min·Tim Vandiver Memorial Highway
Toward I 40 East: Fort SmithUse the straight lane.
31
Continue on I 40
244 mi·4 hr 7 min·Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
124 mi·2 hr 6 min·I 40
Toward MemphisUse the straight lane.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; I 55; US 78
0.8 mi·57 sec·Blues Highway
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
18 mi·22 min·I 40
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
198 mi·3 hr 34 min·I 40
Toward I 40 East: Nashville, KnoxvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
36
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 208AToward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, HuntsvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
37
Merge onto I 40; I 65
2.4 mi·3 min·Downtown Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on I 40
0.5 mi·42 sec·Downtown Loop
Exit 211B; 211AToward I 24 West, I 40 East, I 24 East: Clarksville, Louisville, Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40
174 mi·3 hr 9 min·I 40
Exit 211AToward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40
37 mi·40 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81
157 mi·2 hr 48 min·I 81
Exit 421Toward I 81 North: BristolUse the straight lane.
42
Keep slight left at fork onto I 81; US 11
140 mi·2 hr 33 min·I 81; US 11
Toward I 81 North, US 11 North: RoanokeUse the straight lane.
43
Continue on I 64; I 81
0.3 mi·17 sec·I 64; I 81
44
Keep slight right at fork onto I 64
37 mi·40 min·I 64
Toward I 64 East: Richmond
45
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 250
46
Keep slight right at fork
445 ft·11 sec
47
Merge onto US 250
2.0 mi·3 min·Richmond Road
48
Turn left onto VA 22
5.3 mi·9 min·Louisa Road
49
Continue on VA 231
8.2 mi·12 min·Gordonsville Road
50
Continue on VA 231
1.4 mi·2 min·Gordon Avenue
51
Enter roundabout onto US 15
46 ft·0 sec·US 15
52
Continue on US 15
8.3 mi·12 min·US 15
53
Turn right onto VA 20
0.7 mi·1 min·Berry Hill Road
54
Continue on VA 20
22 mi·30 min·Constitution Highway
55
Turn right onto VA 3
0.1 mi·10 sec·Germanna Highway
56
Continue on VA 3
13 mi·20 min·Plank Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
57
Continue on VA 3
0.6 mi·1 min·William Street
58
Turn left onto VA 3 BUS
0.1 mi·22 sec·William Street
Use the left lane.
59
Turn slight right onto Hanover Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Hanover Street
60
Continue on George Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·George Street
61
Turn left onto Prince Edward Street
400 ft·15 sec·Prince Edward Street
62
Turn right onto VA 3 BUS
0.1 mi·26 sec·William Street
63
Turn right onto US 1 BUS; US 17 BUS; VA 2
54 ft·1 sec·Princess Anne Street
64
Arrive at destination
US 1 BUS; US 17 BUS; VA 2
Trip Plan
Given the 40-hour drive time, splitting this trip over four days is highly recommended. Aim to start your days early to maximize daylight driving and make consistent progress. With 11 recommended stops, you can plan for roughly every 200 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially in more rural sections, and be aware that fuel costs are estimated at $465. The Purple Heart Trail offers extended segments, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly on these longer stretches.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 4-day trip.
Plan roughly 11 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 1123.8 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 19h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 667.3 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 220 miles or 4h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 1123.8 miles or 19h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 561.9 miles or 10h 17m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fredericksburg, VA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Phoenix, 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.
+
Treat this as a 4-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Phoenix, AZ
Aim for roughly 562 miles and 10.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 562 miles and 10.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 562 miles and 10.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 4
Finish the approach into Fredericksburg, VA
Aim for roughly 562 miles and 10.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Phoenix, AZ.
This route usually feels better as a 4-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 11 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 667.3 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 38
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 1639.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.6 mi into trip|~5m in|Red Mountain Freeway
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
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 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
8
4 mi into trip|~6m in|Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
9
962.9 mi into trip|~17h 7m in|I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal
Keep slight left at fork onto I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 128
Toward I 240 East, US 270 East: Fort Smith
9
1636.4 mi into trip|~28h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 208A
Toward I 40 East, I 65 South: Knoxville, Huntsv...
9
1639.6 mi into trip|~28h 56m in|I 40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 40 toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 211A
Toward I 40 East, I 24 East: Knoxville, Chattan...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$458.26 one way
$916.52 round trip
$5.18/gal25.4 MPG avg786 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.48
$485.25
$970.50
premium
$5.74
$507.46
$1,014.91
diesel
$6.18
$546.74
$1,093.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$458
Hotel (3n)
$240–$420
Meals
$100–$200
Total
$798–$1,078
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 786.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $236 in charging
· 8 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
674.3
8
$235.99
$107.88
Efficient EV
561.9
6
$196.66
$89.90
EV Truck/SUV
899
11
$314.65
$143.84
Gas CO2
786 kg
EV CO2
263 kg (67% less)
This is a long EV road trip requiring 8 charging stops. Plan your route around charger locations and allow extra time for charging.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Late night
in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
5:36 AM
MST
Current temp
72°F
Clear
ENE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 3:50AM MST until October 17 at 5:00AM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 3:50AM MST until October 17 at 2:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Destination
Fredericksburg, VA
Morning
in Fredericksburg on Saturday
Local time
8:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
SW 7 to 12 mph9% chanceLive forecast
48°F
Edgewood, NM
562 mi in
85°F
Delaware, AR
1124 mi in
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
3 hours later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
13 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
40h 29m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Petrified Forest National Park
National Park
A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
$25
near mile 232.5
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 43% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on the Purple Heart Trail is 667.3 miles. Expect sections of rural cruising mixed with opportunities for quicker travel on main highways. You'll notice the transition from wide-open desert to more varied terrain as you move east.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
64 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 667.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
At 40h 29m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.6 miles in near Red Mountain Freeway.
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 38 significant decision points across 2247.5 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 3.6 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 962.9 miles (I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,934 ft60 ft
Total Climb
7,356 ft
Total Descent
8,385 ft
Highest Point
6,934 ft
~481.6 mi in
Elevation Range
6,875 ft
Notable High Points
6,934 ft at ~481.6 miles+15 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Phoenix, AZ and Fredericksburg, VA, road signs point toward Memphis, Knoxville, Huntsville, Louisville and Chattanooga.
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
Fredericksburg is a city in Northern Virginia. The downtown area has experienced a revival since the 1970s allowing a strong arts community to thrive. Galleries, music venues, and fine dining can all be found in the historic district. While the city has seen massive growth, the downtown area and battlefields have been well preserved due to strong local commitment to historic preservation, providing a unique blend of old and new culture.
Top landmarks
•Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park — 8,000-acre park operated by the U.S. National Park Service
•Kenmore — National Historic Landmark plantation house in Fredericksburg, Virginia, United...
•Mary Washington House — historic house in Fredericksburg, Virginia
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 667.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 4-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 562 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 212 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 Fredericksburg, VA 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 11 meaningful breaks. There are 212 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 962.9 miles (I 40; US 270 / Tinker Diagonal): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Petrified Forest National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 40.5 hours each way, a round trip means 81.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fredericksburg, VA before the return drive.
