Spanning 97.2 miles, the journey from Prescott to Glendale is an efficient transition through the heart of the Desert Southwest. You should anticipate a drive time of approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your route primarily follows South Cortez Street, East Gurley Street, and the Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway. Budgeting about $19 for fuel covers the trip comfortably, allowing you to focus on the road ahead. Because both cities are located within the Arizona desert region, you will experience a consistent climate and terrain throughout your transit. This route is perfect for travelers looking for a direct, manageable connection between these two hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.9 miles from Prescott, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
33.8 mi
46m
Black Canyon Freeway
30.1 mi
33m
Arizona Veterans Highway
16.7 mi
16m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi
5m
West Glendale Avenue
4 mi
8m
North Black Canyon Highway
3.4 mi
3m
East Gurley Street
1.2 mi
2m
Grand Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
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 Glendale, 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
20 mi·22 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 205Toward Glendale AvenueUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto North Black Canyon Highway
0.1 mi·16 sec·North Black Canyon Highway
13
Turn right onto West Glendale Avenue
4.0 mi·8 min·West Glendale Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto North 57th Drive
0.2 mi·35 sec·North 57th Drive
15
Turn right onto US 60
0.2 mi·24 sec·Grand Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
US 60
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 97.2-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With no mandatory stops required to complete the 1 hour and 42-minute duration, you can easily drive the entire length in one go. Keep in mind that because the road is turn-heavy, it is wise to ensure your vehicle's tire pressure is optimal before you head out from Prescott. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider leaving during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the local streets. Always double-check your fuel levels before departing, as the $19 estimated cost is based on standard consumption and can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency.
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 47.9 miles from Prescott, AZ, or about 1h 2m 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 21 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.9 miles or 1h 2m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Prescott, AZ
This is one driving day of about 95.8 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 95.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Cortez Street
Turn right onto South Cortez Street
Navigation decision point
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.
7
91.1 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward Glendale Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 205
Toward Glendale Avenue
6
91.3 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|West Glendale Avenue
Turn right onto West Glendale Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
95.5 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|US 60 / Grand Avenue
Turn right onto US 60 / Grand Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.08 one way
$38.17 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$20.20
$40.39
premium
$5.59
$21.09
$42.17
diesel
$5.61
$21.15
$42.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.7
0
$10.06
$4.60
Efficient EV
24
0
$8.38
$3.83
EV Truck/SUV
38.3
0
$13.41
$6.13
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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 19, 2026
Origin
Prescott, AZ
Late night
in Prescott on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
MST
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Glendale, AZ
Late night
in Glendale on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
MST
Current temp
88°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
18 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
1h 58m 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.
Tuzigoot National Monument
National Monument
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
$10
near mile 13.2
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$10
near mile 16.5
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 share, relying instead on local roads that wind through the landscape. You will find no long, straight stretches here, as the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on South Cortez Street. Navigating these technical turns requires a steady hand and a willingness to engage with the road’s natural rhythm. Because the path is composed entirely of local thoroughfares, you get a much more intimate look at the changing surroundings compared to a high-speed freeway.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 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?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Cortez Street.
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 95.8 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: near the start (South Cortez Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (AZ 69 / Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 95.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
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: near the start (South Cortez Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (AZ 69 / Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle 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 Glendale, AZ before heading back.
