Mazatzal Rest Area (Closed)
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Saint Michaels, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 39m
Distance
280.4 mi
451 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 27m
★
6 AM
5h 40m
8 AM
6h 6m
10 AM
5h 49m
12 PM
5h 46m
3 PM
5h 50m
5 PM
6h 5m
8 PM
5h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phoenix, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Michaels, AZ
Antonio Garcia Prats
Trip Overview
Phoenix to Saint Michaels is 280.4 miles and takes about 5h 39m via Purple Heart Trail and AZ 260, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Desert Southwest region of Arizona to another part of the same region, offering a consistent landscape. The route primarily uses a mix of highway and surface roads, so expect some changes in driving pace. With one recommended stop and a total duration under six hours, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without feeling too rushed.
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
140.2 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 69.9 mi | 1h 9m |
| Beeline Highway | 68.4 mi | 1h 20m |
| AZ 260 | 53 mi | 1h 11m |
| Heber Road | 30.9 mi | 36m |
| Navajo Route 12 | 22.6 mi | 32m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 12.9 mi | 15m |
| West 3rd Street North | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| North Beeline Highway | 4.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 69.9 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Saint Michaels, 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 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 13
Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
Use 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
70 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward BIA 12 North: Window Rock
24
Turn left onto N12
23 mi
·
32 min
·
Navajo Route 12
25
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 39m estimated drive time, leaving Phoenix in the morning should allow you to arrive in Saint Michaels well before dark. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. The fuel cost is estimated at $53, so ensure your tank is full before departing Phoenix. Pay attention to the transition points between highway and surface roads, as this will likely involve changes in speed limits and traffic density. The longest stretch on Purple Heart Trail is nearly 70 miles, so this segment offers a good opportunity for steady driving.
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 140.2 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.9 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 62 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.2 miles or 2h 56m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Michaels, 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 280.4 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 69.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 140.2 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Painted Cliffs Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
1.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
Arizona Science Center
3.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm
+16027162000
Visit websiteDorrance DOME
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm
Visit websiteEnchanted Island Amusement Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: 11 am–4 pm
+16022541200
Visit websiteWindow Rock Tribal Park & Veteran's Memorial
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Window Rock, Arizona
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+19288716647
Amusement Park Rides RandRrides(Phoenix Park & Swap)
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: Closed
+14809958653
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 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
$57.17 one way
$114.35 round trip
$5.18/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.48 | $60.54 | $121.08 |
| premium | $5.74 | $63.31 | $126.62 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $68.21 | $136.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.1 | 1 | $29.44 | $13.46 |
| Efficient EV | 70.1 | 0 | $24.54 | $11.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.2 | 1 | $39.26 | $17.95 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Late night in Phoenix on Tuesday
Local time
2:47 AM
MST
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
E 0 to 5 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Michaels, AZ
Late night in Saint Michaels on Tuesday
Local time
3:47 AM
MDT
Current temp
41°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph
8% chance
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
29 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
5h 39m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$25
near mile 212.7
View on nps.gov
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
~58 min detour
$10
near mile 48.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 33% of this 280.4-mile drive is on highways, with the remaining portion on surface roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 69.9 miles on Purple Heart Trail before transitioning to other main roads like Beeline Highway and AZ 260. This suggests you'll experience a gradual shift from higher-speed cruising to more varied road conditions as you progress. Be prepared for a mix of faster highway travel and potentially more local traffic as you move onto surface roads.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.9 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort
8/10
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 280.4 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
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
7,561 ft
1,088 ft
Total Climb
8,485 ft
Total Descent
2,828 ft
Highest Point
7,561 ft
~120.2 mi in
Elevation Range
6,473 ft
Notable High Points
3,820 ft at ~60.1 miles
+538 ft prominence
7,561 ft at ~120.2 miles
+867 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Saint Michaels, AZ, road signs point toward Payson and Bia 12 North: Window Rock.
Payson
16.5 mi in
|
~21m
Bia 12 North: Window Rock
257.4 mi in
|
~5h 6m
About the Cities
Starting in Phoenix, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1868
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
Arriving in Saint Michaels, AZ
Full guide →St. Michaels is in Maryland, a state in the United States of America. St. Michaels is a collage of churches, manicured colonial, federal and Victorian homes, historic heritage, diverse artistic talents, and pleasant Southern culture. It is also the proud cradle and repository of the Chesapeake's maritime history. It's a town in constant contrast, from horse-and-buggy, steamboats, watermen's deadrises, century-old log canoes and ancient buggies to ATM's, the Internet, luxury Town Cars and fancy cabin cruisers. It's a shopping mecca with a wide array of fashionable clothing, antique and artisan shops aimed at ardent collectors. It's a galaxy of specialty food shops (including candy and ice cream) and superb nationally-renowned restaurants destined to delight even the most demanding gourmet. Of course, succulent Chesapeake seafood, fresh from the harbors, is the regional specialty.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 39m. Total distance: 280.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.9 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Saint Michaels, 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 6 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saint Michaels, AZ before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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