Traveling from Snowflake to Phoenix covers 173.3 miles of the Desert Southwest, typically taking about 2 hours and 58 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $34 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will primarily navigate via Highway 277 and Highway 260. This route offers a straightforward connection between these two Arizona locations, making it a practical choice if you are looking to complete your travel within a few hours.
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
86.6 miles from Snowflake, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South Beeline Highway
73.1 mi
1h 26m
East 3rd Street North
28.8 mi
34m
Payson-Show Low Highway
24.2 mi
30m
Hwy 260
15.9 mi
22m
Payson-Heber Highway
12.7 mi
17m
Red Mountain Freeway
12 mi
13m
Highway 277
1.9 mi
3m
North 7th Street
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
South Beeline Highway
— 73.1 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Snowflake, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on East 3rd Street North
29 mi·34 min·East 3rd Street North
2
Continue on AZ 277
1.9 mi·3 min·Highway 277
3
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260
0.2 mi·19 sec·Highway 260
4
Continue on AZ 260
16 mi·22 min·Hwy 260
5
Continue on AZ 260
13 mi·17 min·Payson-Heber Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on AZ 260
24 mi·30 min·Payson-Show Low Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto AZ 87
73 mi·1 hr 26 min·South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on AZ 87
0.5 mi·47 sec·North Country Club Drive
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
10
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
12 mi·13 min·Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 WestUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 10
0.7 mi·50 sec·Papago Freeway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 145AToward 7th StreetUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward 7th Street South, Downtown Cultural/Sports FacilitlesUse the left lane.
15
Turn straight onto North 7th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·North 7th Street
16
Turn right onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Washington Street
17
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this 173.3-mile route is a manageable drive, you have the flexibility to plan your departure time to suit your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop, you can easily pace your travel to avoid fatigue during the nearly three-hour duration. Ensure you have your $34 fuel budget ready before departing, as local roads may offer fewer refueling options than major interstates. Keep in mind that Highway 260 and Highway 277 require consistent focus, so avoid rushing through the turns. Planning your single stop in advance will help you maintain a steady, comfortable pace for the duration of the trip.
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 86.6 miles from Snowflake, AZ, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.1 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 38 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.6 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 58m
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 Snowflake, 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 Snowflake, AZ
This is one driving day of about 173.2 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Snowflake, 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 South Beeline Highway for about 73.1 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 157.2 and 171.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
157.2 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward AZ 202 Loop West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
5
157.5 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
169.6 mi into trip|~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 West
7
171.3 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 145A
Toward 7th Street
9
171.6 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 7th Street South, Downtown Cultural/Sports Facilitles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward 7th Street South, Downtown Cultural/Spor...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.50 one way
$69.01 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$36.52
$73.03
premium
$5.59
$38.12
$76.25
diesel
$5.61
$38.24
$76.48
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: 60.6 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
0
$18.19
$8.31
Efficient EV
43.3
0
$15.15
$6.93
EV Truck/SUV
69.3
0
$24.25
$11.08
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 15, 2026
Origin
Snowflake, AZ
Night
in Snowflake on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
MST
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Night
in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Payson, AZ
87 mi in
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 38m 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.
Tonto National Monument
National Monument
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...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
$10
near mile 131.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between regional highways. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this path relies entirely on local roads, meaning you won't encounter long, high-speed highway stretches. In fact, the highway share for this trip is 0%, emphasizing the winding, hands-on nature of the journey. You will spend your time navigating technical sections rather than cruising on straightaways. Expect a tactile driving experience that requires you to stay alert through every curve and intersection along the way.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.1 mi on South Beeline Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 157.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 173.2 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 157.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 157.5 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 38m. Total distance: 173.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.1 miles on South Beeline 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 157.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 157.5 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 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 Phoenix, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
