If you are looking to escape the city for a change of pace, the 89.6-mile journey from Phoenix to Payson is an ideal day trip. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 47 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable drive for a quick getaway within the Desert Southwest. Budget roughly $17 for fuel to cover the distance, which is efficient enough for a spontaneous outing. Because the drive is relatively short, you won't need to plan for overnight stays, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. Navigating the route involves a transition from North 7th Avenue onto I-10 East and eventually reaching the Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel. It is a straightforward trip that replaces desert heat with the higher elevation of Payson, providing a refreshing shift in environment without the fatigue of a long-haul trek.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.8 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Beeline Highway
67.7 mi
1h 18m
Red Mountain Freeway
12.9 mi
15m
North Beeline Highway
4.5 mi
5m
Papago Freeway
1.4 mi
1m
North 7th Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
North Country Club Drive
0.5 mi
1m
West Washington Street
0.5 mi
1m
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Beeline Highway
— 67.7 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Payson, 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 18 min·Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
AZ 87
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact 1 hour and 47 minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While you don't need to worry about multiple stops or long-distance fatigue, keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving, as the $17 estimate assumes a standard vehicle's efficiency. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, prioritize leaving during daylight hours to better navigate the local roads safely. Because there are no mandatory stops built into this 89.6-mile path, you are free to drive straight through or take a break whenever you feel the need. A great tip for this specific drive is to ensure your vehicle is ready for the elevation change, as the shift from the Phoenix valley floor to the higher terrain of Payson can be taxing on older engines.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.8 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.7 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.8 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Payson, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Phoenix, AZ
This is one driving day of about 89.6 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Phoenix, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Beeline Highway for about 67.7 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 8
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
$17.85 one way
$35.70 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$18.89
$37.78
premium
$5.59
$19.72
$39.45
diesel
$5.61
$19.78
$39.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.9
0
$9.41
$4.30
Efficient EV
22.4
0
$7.84
$3.58
EV Truck/SUV
35.8
0
$12.54
$5.73
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Phoenix, AZ
Evening
in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
MST
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny
WSW 0 to 10 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 7:45PM MST until April 13 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Destination
Payson, AZ
Evening
in Payson on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
MST
Current temp
44°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
36 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
1h 47m 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.
Tonto National Monument
National Monument
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 43.3
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 rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will navigate local roads rather than long, straight stretches of freeway. You will find that the longest stretch of travel is 0 miles on North 7th Avenue, highlighting the technical, winding nature of this path. As you move away from the metropolitan area, the road profile shifts significantly, moving away from simple highway driving toward more involved, maneuver-intensive segments. Staying sharp at the wheel is essential as you navigate the curves that define this connection between Phoenix and Payson.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.7 mi on Beeline Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near North 7th Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.6 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
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
Payson is a town in Gila County, Arizona. Known as the "Heart of Arizona," it is a gateway to the Colorado Plateau and the Mogollon Rim in Northern and Eastern Arizona.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 89.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.7 miles on Beeline 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 Payson, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 — Tonto National Monument. 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 Payson, AZ before heading back.
