Traveling from the high country of Pinetop-Lakeside down to Phoenix covers 187.8 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 21 minutes. Because this journey is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to easily manage the transition between these two Desert Southwest locations. You should budget approximately $37 for fuel to complete the trek. Since the route relies on local roads like West Summer Haven Lane, West White Mountain Boulevard, and South White Mountain Road rather than major interstates, you will want to prepare for a more hands-on driving experience. Planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the travel time comfortably. Whether you are heading to the city for business or returning home, this straightforward route offers a direct connection between the mountains and the valley.
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
91.7 miles from Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on West Summer Haven Lane
478 ft·26 sec·West Summer Haven Lane
2
Continue on West Summer Haven Lane
0.2 mi·44 sec·West Summer Haven Lane
3
Turn left onto AZ 260
5.7 mi·10 min·West White Mountain Boulevard
4
Continue on AZ 260
2.5 mi·3 min·South White Mountain Road
5
Turn left onto East Woolford
0.2 mi·24 sec·East Woolford
6
Continue on South Central Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·South Central Avenue
7
Turn left onto West Whipple Street
0.8 mi·1 min·West Whipple Street
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260
0.6 mi·1 min·West Deuce of Clubs
9
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·Globe-Show Low Highway
10
Turn right onto US 60
1.1 mi·2 min·East Ash Street
11
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Hill Street
12
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·11 sec·East Oak Street
13
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·North Broad Street
14
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
15
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
16
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·West Live Oak Street
17
Continue on US 60
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
27 mi·31 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
0.6 mi·38 sec·US 60
Toward I 10 North
20
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.9 mi·5 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
1.9 mi·2 min·Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: FlagstaffUse the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 195BToward 7th Street, Central AvenueUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway
134 ft·2 sec·East Maricopa Freeway
24
Turn right onto South 7th Street
1.3 mi·2 min·South 7th Street
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 21-minute trip, try to time your departure to avoid peak local traffic, especially as you approach the metropolitan area. Since the entire drive is composed of local roads, factor in a bit of extra cushion for your travel time compared to a standard highway route. You should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $37 fuel budget in mind as you monitor your gauge. Given the nature of these winding local roads, prioritize steady pacing over speed to ensure a smoother ride for everyone in the vehicle. A smart tip for this specific path is to keep your navigation app active at all times, as the reliance on local roads like West White Mountain Boulevard means you will encounter numerous turns where missing a signal could add time to your arrival.
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 91.7 miles from Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ, or about 1h 53m 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 40 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.7 miles or 1h 53m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pinetop-Lakeside, 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 Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ
This is one driving day of about 183.5 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Pinetop-Lakeside, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.7 and 183 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
10.7 mi into trip|~20m in|US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260 / West Deuce of Clubs
At end of road, turn left onto US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260 / West Deuce of Clubs
Navigation decision point
5
174.1 mi into trip|~3h 42m in|US 60
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward I 10 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 10 North
8
179.5 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
8
181.4 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
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 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
6
183 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.56 one way
$73.11 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$38.69
$77.37
premium
$5.59
$40.39
$80.78
diesel
$5.61
$40.51
$81.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.1
0
$19.27
$8.81
Efficient EV
45.9
0
$16.06
$7.34
EV Truck/SUV
73.4
0
$25.69
$11.74
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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 15, 2026
Origin
Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ
Morning
in Pinetop-Lakeside on Sunday
Local time
7:22 AM
MST
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Morning
in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
7:22 AM
MST
Current temp
93°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
54 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 55m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 132.9
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$10
near mile 107.6
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 behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, meaning you will be navigating local arteries for the entire 187.8-mile duration. Because the longest stretch of road is zero miles on West Summer Haven Lane, the path is characterized by frequent transitions rather than long, straightaways. You will find that the road’s personality is defined by its constant shifts in direction, requiring you to remain engaged with the local infrastructure throughout the drive. This is a technical journey that keeps you actively involved in the navigation process from start to finish.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.7 miles in near US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260 / West Deuce of Clubs.
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 183.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 10.7 miles (US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260 / West Deuce of Clubs): Navigation decision point; at 174.1 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 179.5 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 55m. Total distance: 183.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
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 Phoenix, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.7 miles (US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260 / West Deuce of Clubs): Navigation decision point; at 174.1 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 179.5 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Phoenix, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
