Phoenix to Houck is 248.8 miles and takes about 4h 59m via North 7th Avenue and I 10 East, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward drive from the urban edge of Phoenix into the more open landscapes towards the New Mexico border. Given its manageable distance and duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel. You'll primarily be on surface roads for much of the journey, making it a practical option for those who prefer avoiding extensive highway driving.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.4 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Beeline Highway
68.4 mi
1h 20m
Purple Heart Trail
60.5 mi
1h
AZ 260
53 mi
1h 11m
Heber Road
30.9 mi
36m
Red Mountain Freeway
12.9 mi
15m
West 3rd Street North
4.9 mi
6m
North Beeline Highway
4.5 mi
5m
Heber-Holbrook Highway
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Beeline Highway
— 68.4 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Houck, AZ.
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
60 mi·1 hr·Purple Heart Trail
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward Houck
24
Turn left
0.1 mi·18 sec
25
Continue on St. Anslem Road
495 ft·19 sec·St. Anslem Road
26
Turn sharp right onto North Frontage Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·North Frontage Road
27
Arrive at destination
North Frontage Road
Trip Plan
For this 248.8-mile drive, leaving Phoenix in the morning, around 9 or 10 AM, should give you ample time to reach Houck by mid-afternoon. The total duration is under 5 hours, making it a comfortable one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility; consider stopping for fuel and a break about halfway, perhaps around the 100-mile mark, to manage your $47 fuel budget effectively. Keep an eye on local road conditions as you approach Houck, as surface roads can sometimes have unexpected delays.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 124.4 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.4 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 55 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.4 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houck, AZ 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Phoenix, AZ
This is one driving day of about 248.8 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Phoenix, 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 Beeline Highway for about 68.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 16.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|North 7th Avenue
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
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
6
3.7 mi into trip|~6m in|Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 147A
Toward 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
8
16.5 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
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 13
Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.03 one way
$90.06 round trip
$4.60/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.94
$48.37
$96.74
premium
$5.28
$51.68
$103.36
diesel
$6.37
$62.44
$124.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.6
0
$26.12
$11.94
Efficient EV
62.2
0
$21.77
$9.95
EV Truck/SUV
99.5
1
$34.83
$15.92
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon
in Phoenix on Wednesday
Local time
2:47 PM
MST
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
ENE 0 to 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Houck, AZ
Afternoon
in Houck on Wednesday
Local time
3:47 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Clear
NE 3 mph8% 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
24 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
4h 59m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$25
near mile 205.9
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
$10
near mile 42.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with 0% highway driving, meaning you'll spend the entire 4h 59m on local streets and two-lane highways. The longest stretch without a turn is not specified, but expect a consistent pace typical of surface road travel. You'll navigate through urban areas initially on North 7th Avenue before transitioning to I 10 East, and then eventually onto surface roads leading to Houck. Be prepared for varied speed limits and potential local traffic as you move away from the interstate.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.4 mi on Beeline 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 0.5 miles in near North 7th Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 248.8 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 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; 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 3.7 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,678 ft1,088 ft
Total Climb
7,330 ft
Total Descent
2,375 ft
Highest Point
7,678 ft
~124.4 mi in
Elevation Range
6,590 ft
Notable High Points
7,678 ft at ~124.4 miles+1,209 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 Phoenix, AZ to Houck, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Payson 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 4h 59m. Total distance: 248.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.4 miles on Beeline Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Houck, 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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; 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 3.7 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — Petrified Forest National Park and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Houck, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
