Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Prescott, AZ to Lake Havasu City, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 47m
Distance
207.3 mi
334 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 35m
★
6 AM
3h 48m
8 AM
4h 13m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 54m
3 PM
3h 58m
5 PM
4h 12m
8 PM
3h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Prescott, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Prescott to Lake Havasu City covers 207.5 miles through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect a drive time of approximately 3 hours and 33 minutes, making this a manageable day trip that allows you to reach your destination by mid-afternoon if you leave early. You should set aside roughly $41 for your fuel budget to cover the journey. Since this route functions well as a single-day excursion, you won't necessarily need an overnight split, though a planned stop will break up the travel time. Navigating out of the high country toward the desert requires a focus on local roads rather than major interstate transit. It is a straightforward trek that connects two distinct Arizona hubs, perfect for those looking to transition from the cool mountain air to the warmer, lower-elevation climate of Lake Havasu.
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
103.6 miles from Prescott, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 135.1 mi | 2h 15m |
| Prescott–Ash Fork Highway | 46.3 mi | 54m |
| Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway | 17.7 mi | 22m |
| AZ 89 | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Acoma Boulevard West | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| East Gurley Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Smoketree Avenue North | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Cortez Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 135.1 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prescott, AZ and Lake Havasu City, 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
Turn slight left onto AZ 89
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
AZ 89
Use the left lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
127 ft
·
5 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
6
Continue on AZ 89
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
7
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
161 ft
·
2 sec
·
Prescott-Ash Fork Highway
8
Continue on AZ 89
421 ft
·
7 sec
·
Prescott-Ash Fork Highway
9
Continue on AZ 89
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
10
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
103 ft
·
1 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
11
Continue on AZ 89
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
12
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
136 ft
·
1 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
13
Continue on AZ 89
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
14
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
150 ft
·
2 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
15
Continue on AZ 89
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
16
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
151 ft
·
2 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
17
Continue on AZ 89
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
18
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
146 ft
·
1 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
19
Continue on AZ 89
32 mi
·
37 min
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
20
Continue on I 40 BUS; US 66 Hist; AZ 89
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Lewis Avenue
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 40 West
22
Merge onto I 40
135 mi
·
2 hr 15 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 9
Toward AZ 95 South: Lake Havasu City, Parker
24
Turn left onto AZ 95
18 mi
·
22 min
·
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
25
Turn left onto Acoma Boulevard West
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Acoma Boulevard West
Use the left lane.
26
Turn left onto Smoketree Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Smoketree Avenue North
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto Mescal Loop
51 ft
·
2 sec
·
Mescal Loop
28
Arrive at destination
Mescal Loop
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 33-minute travel time, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid midday heat and local traffic congestion. While the route is relatively short, incorporating at least one stop is highly recommended to stretch your legs and ensure you stay alert on the winding local roads. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the first half of the trip, as service stations may be spaced out once you move away from the Prescott area. Since your fuel costs are estimated at $41, topping off your tank before leaving Prescott is a smart way to ensure peace of mind. Flexibility is your greatest asset on this drive, so don't hesitate to take a breather if the turn-heavy sections start to feel fatiguing.
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 103.6 miles from Prescott, AZ, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.1 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 46 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.6 miles or 1h 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 3h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Havasu City, 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 207.3 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Prescott, 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 135.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 103.6 miles from Prescott, 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 135.1 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Haviland Rest Area (I-40 Westbound)
0.1 mi from route
Haviland Rest Area (I-40 Eastbound)
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pride Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Sharlot Hall Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Prescott, Arizona
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19284453122
Visit websitePrescott Western Heritage Center
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Prescott, Arizona
Hours: 10:30 am–5 pm
+19289102307
Visit websiteJack Hardie Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+19284538686
Visit websiteThings to do In Boulder City
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hours: 4 am–11 pm
+17028990551
Lake Havasu Museum of History & Havasu Rocks
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Hours: 11 am–3 pm
+19288544938
Visit websiteDesert Wonder Adventures
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~12 min detour
Final third
4.6 mi from route
~12 min detour
Kingman, Arizona
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+19287162046
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 and 207.1 — 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
51.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 40 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 40 West
6
187 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward AZ 95 South: Lake Havasu City, Parker
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 9
Toward AZ 95 South: Lake Havasu City, Parker
6
205 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
|
Acoma Boulevard West
Turn left onto Acoma Boulevard West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
207.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
|
Smoketree Avenue North
Turn left onto Smoketree Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.73 one way
$73.47 round trip
$4.50/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $39.34 | $78.68 |
| premium | $5.04 | $41.15 | $82.30 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.14 | $78.28 |
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: 72.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.2 | 0 | $21.77 | $9.95 |
| Efficient EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.14 | $8.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.9 | 1 | $29.02 | $13.27 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Prescott, AZ
Late night in Prescott on Sunday
Local time
1:23 AM
MST
Current temp
78°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 6 mph
60% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:44PM PDT until July 18 at 7:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:30PM MST until July 18 at 6:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Destination
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Late night in Lake Havasu City on Sunday
Local time
1:23 AM
MST
Current temp
91°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 5 to 13 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:44PM PDT until July 18 at 7:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:30PM MST until July 18 at 6:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
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
13 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 47m 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.
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
$10
near mile 14.3
Caution: High Levels of Visitation
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by a turn-heavy local road profile that demands your full attention behind the wheel. You will begin your journey by navigating South Cortez Street and East Gurley Street before transitioning onto the Prescott-Ash Fork Highway. Unlike a monotonous interstate cruise, this route features zero highway share, meaning you will rely entirely on local thoroughfares for the duration of the 207.5-mile trip. The road personality is technical and winding, providing a more engaging experience for drivers who prefer active steering over cruise control. Because the route consists of smaller roads rather than long stretches of freeway, you will find the character of the pavement changes frequently as you wind your way through the desert landscape.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.1 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Cortez Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 47m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Cortez Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 187 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,673 ft
739 ft
Total Climb
1,244 ft
Total Descent
5,878 ft
Highest Point
5,673 ft
~88.8 mi in
Elevation Range
4,934 ft
Notable High Points
5,110 ft at ~44.4 miles
+42 ft prominence
5,673 ft at ~88.8 miles
+429 ft prominence
4,184 ft at ~133.3 miles
+272 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.
On the drive from Prescott, AZ to Lake Havasu City, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Parker along the way.
Parker
187 mi in
|
~3h 20m
About the Cities
Starting in Prescott, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1881
Prescott is a city in Arizona, and the county seat of Yavapai County. It is home to the world's oldest rodeo, and to the famous Whiskey Row
Top landmarks
- • Hassayampa Inn — historic hotel in Prescott, Arizona, USA
- • Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Rectory — roman-catholic church building in Prescott, United States of America
- • Sharlot Hall Museum — an open-air museum located in Prescott, Arizona
Arriving in Lake Havasu City, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1978
Lake Havasu City is a city in Mohave County in western Arizona. It is known best for being the home of the 1831 London Bridge, which Robert McCulloch, the founder of the city, bought from the British government in 1967.
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 3h 47m. Total distance: 207.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (2%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135.1 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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.
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: near the start (South Cortez Street): Navigation decision point; at 51.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 187 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Tuzigoot National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake Havasu City, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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