Traveling from Phoenix to Show Low covers 174.9 miles of the Desert Southwest, typically taking about 3 hours and 39 minutes of drive time. Because the journey is manageable within a single day, you can easily complete it in one go without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $34 on fuel for the trip, making this a budget-friendly excursion. You will navigate via South 1st Avenue, West Madison Street, and South 1st Street to reach your destination. Since both cities are located within the Desert Southwest, you will notice a consistent regional atmosphere throughout your travel. This route works best for those who prefer an active, turn-heavy drive over a standard interstate cruise.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.4 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Show Low, AZ.
1
Start on West Washington Street
322 ft·18 sec·West Washington Street
2
Turn left onto South 1st Avenue
436 ft·9 sec·South 1st Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto South 1st Avenue
350 ft·14 sec·South 1st Avenue
4
Turn left onto West Madison Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·West Madison Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto South 1st Street
0.3 mi·55 sec·South 1st Street
6
Turn left onto East Lincoln Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East Lincoln Street
7
Turn right onto South 7th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·South 7th Street
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway
290 ft·8 sec·East Maricopa Freeway
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 17 South, US 60 EastUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 17; US 60
6.5 mi·7 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 60
28 mi·32 min·US 60
Exit 154Toward US 60 East: Mesa, GlobeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·Live Oak Street
14
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
15
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
16
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·9 sec·East Oak Street
18
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·39 sec·South Hill Street
19
Turn left onto US 60
1.1 mi·2 min·East Ash Street
20
Turn left onto US 60; AZ 77
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·Globe-Show Low Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
2.3 mi·4 min·West Deuce of Clubs
22
Arrive at destination
US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 39-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal preference. While the trip can be completed in one day, budget for at least one stop to break up the technical, turn-heavy sections of the road. Keep your $34 fuel estimate in mind when planning your budget, and ensure your vehicle is ready for a drive that relies entirely on local streets. To make the most of this trip, familiarize yourself with the specific turns on South 1st Avenue before you head out. A quick check of your route map will help you manage the frequent transitions efficiently, ensuring a smoother journey as you move toward Show Low.
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 87.4 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.5 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 38 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.4 miles or 1h 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 3h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Show Low, 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 174.9 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 Globe-Show Low Highway for about 83.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 8.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South 1st Avenue
Turn left onto South 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South 1st Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto South 1st Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
2 mi into trip|~5m in|East Maricopa Freeway
Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
2 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 17 South, US 60 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 17 South, US 60 East
8
8.8 mi into trip|~13m in|US 60
Take the exit onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
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 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.84 one way
$69.68 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$36.87
$73.75
premium
$5.59
$38.50
$77.00
diesel
$5.61
$38.62
$77.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.5
0
$18.36
$8.40
Efficient EV
43.7
0
$15.30
$7.00
EV Truck/SUV
70
0
$24.49
$11.19
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Evening
in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
7:45 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Show Low, AZ
Evening
in Show Low on Saturday
Local time
7:45 PM
MST
Current temp
68°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
7 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
3h 40m 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.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
National Monument
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 48.2
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$10
near mile 72.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this 174.9-mile journey is defined as a turn-heavy local drive. Unlike monotonous highway stretches, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will remain on local roads for the entirety of the trip. With 0 miles of uninterrupted driving on South 1st Avenue, you should anticipate frequent adjustments and a need for constant focus. The personality of this drive is technical and engaging, requiring you to navigate turns rather than settling into a cruise-control rhythm. Staying alert is essential as you transition through the local road network between these two Arizona hubs.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.5 mi on Globe-Show Low Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South 1st Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
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 174.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (East Maricopa Freeway): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Show Low, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe 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 3h 40m. Total distance: 174.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (22%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.5 miles on Globe-Show Low Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (East Maricopa Freeway): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Show Low, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
