This 110.4-mile drive from Prescott, AZ to Avondale, AZ will take you about 1 hour and 54 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, it's an economical option for exploring the Desert Southwest. You'll navigate local roads for the entire journey, as this route has a 0% highway share. The overall feel is that of a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for frequent adjustments. Since it's a manageable distance with no specific overnight recommendations, you have plenty of flexibility for departure times and potential stops along the way.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.1 miles from Prescott, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
33.8 mi
46m
Black Canyon Freeway
20.7 mi
22m
Agua Fria Freeway
20.6 mi
23m
Arizona Veterans Highway
16.7 mi
16m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi
5m
Papago Freeway
3.4 mi
3m
North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi
3m
North Dysart Road
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
— 33.8 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prescott, AZ and Avondale, AZ.
1
Start on East Goodwin Street
78 ft·7 sec·East Goodwin Street
2
Turn right onto South Cortez Street
0.1 mi·34 sec·South Cortez Street
3
Turn right onto East Gurley Street
1.2 mi·2 min·East Gurley Street
4
Continue on AZ 69
1.2 mi·2 min·Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
5
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69
33 mi·44 min·Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Merge onto I 17
17 mi·16 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
7
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 17
10 mi·11 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 214CToward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop EastUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward AZ 101 Loop WestUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
21 mi·23 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 10 West: Los AngelesUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 10
3.4 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 129Toward Dysart RoadUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto North Dysart Road
1.6 mi·2 min·North Dysart Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn right onto East Western Avenue
0.5 mi·56 sec·East Western Avenue
19
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
89 ft·5 sec·North Central Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn right
27 ft·1 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 54-minute duration, this is a straightforward one-day trip from Prescott to Avondale. Plan to leave when you feel most comfortable, as the 110.4-mile route doesn't necessitate an early start to avoid fatigue. With no designated longest stretch and a 0% highway share, you'll have frequent opportunities to adjust your pace or make spontaneous stops if you wish. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition onto the Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway, as services might be more spread out than on a major interstate.
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 55.1 miles from Prescott, AZ, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.8 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 24 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.1 miles or 1h 9m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avondale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Prescott, 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 Prescott, AZ
This is one driving day of about 110.2 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Prescott, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway for about 33.8 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 2.5 and 107.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.5 mi into trip|~4m in|AZ 69 / Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69 / Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
81.7 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
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 214C
Toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
7
82.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 101 Loop West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop West
8
103.7 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
7
107.7 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward Dysart Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 129
Toward Dysart Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.95 one way
$43.91 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$23.23
$46.47
premium
$5.59
$24.26
$48.51
diesel
$5.61
$24.33
$48.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.1
0
$11.57
$5.29
Efficient EV
27.6
0
$9.64
$4.41
EV Truck/SUV
44.1
0
$15.43
$7.05
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 20, 2026
Origin
Prescott, AZ
Late night
in Prescott on Tuesday
Local time
2:24 AM
MST
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Avondale, AZ
Late night
in Avondale on Tuesday
Local time
2:24 AM
MST
Current temp
59°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
5 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
2h 13m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very turn-heavy local drive for this entire 110.4-mile journey, with no highway segments at all. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests a continuous series of intersections and road changes rather than long, straight runs. You'll be managing local roads like South Cortez Street and East Gurley Street, transitioning onto the Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway. This means you'll be actively steering and navigating through varied local terrain for the full duration of the trip.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.8 mi on Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 2.5 miles in near AZ 69 / Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 110.2 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 2.5 miles (AZ 69 / Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 110.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.8 miles on Cordes Junction-Prescott 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 Avondale, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (AZ 69 / Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Avondale, AZ before heading back.
