Origin
Surprise, AZ
Late night in Surprise on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Surprise, AZ to Clarkdale, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
103.7 mi
167 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Surprise, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Clarkdale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Surprise, AZ to Clarkdale, AZ is 103.7 miles and takes about 2h 5m via Arizona Veterans Highway and Black Canyon Freeway, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest region, moving from one part of Arizona to another. The drive offers a mixed experience, blending highway speeds with potentially more local road sections as you approach your destination. It's a manageable distance, making it ideal for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.8 miles from Surprise, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 38.2 mi | 38m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 16.4 mi | 16m |
| Bob Stump Memorial Parkway | 14.8 mi | 17m |
| Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway | 12.3 mi | 18m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| North El Mirage Road | 5 mi | 8m |
| South Main Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| South Broadway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 38.2 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surprise, AZ and Clarkdale, AZ.
1
Start on North Nash Street
88 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Nash Street
2
Turn right onto West Paradise Lane
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Paradise Lane
3
At end of road, turn left onto North El Mirage Road
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
North El Mirage Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
2 min
Toward AZ 303 Loop North
5
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
8
Merge onto I 17
16 mi
·
16 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 17
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
25 mi
·
24 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome
13
Turn left onto AZ 260
421 ft
·
11 sec
·
Finnie Flat Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on AZ 260
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft
·
7 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
16
Continue on AZ 260
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 260
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
18
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft
·
7 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
19
Continue on AZ 260
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
20
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft
·
2 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
21
Continue on AZ 260
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
22
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
145 ft
·
6 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
23
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
24
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft
·
7 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
25
Continue on AZ 260
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
26
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
144 ft
·
6 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
27
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
28
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
188 ft
·
8 sec
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
29
Continue on AZ 260
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
30
Continue on AZ 260
420 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Main Street
31
Continue on AZ 89A
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
32
Enter roundabout onto US 89A Historic
100 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Main Street
33
Continue on US 89A Historic
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
34
Continue on US 89A Historic
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Broadway
35
Continue on US 89A Historic
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Main Street
36
Arrive at destination
US 89A Historic
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2h 5m duration, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Surprise, AZ in the morning allows ample time to reach Clarkdale, AZ, with plenty of daylight remaining. While there are no designated stops in the data, consider taking short breaks as needed, especially during the longest stretch of 38.2 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it's wise to ensure you have a full tank before departing, as services can be more spread out on certain segments.
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 51.8 miles from Surprise, AZ, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.2 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.8 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarkdale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Surprise, 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 Surprise, AZ
This is one driving day of about 103.7 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Surprise, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 38.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 51.8 miles from Surprise, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 21.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North El Mirage Road
At end of road, turn left onto North El Mirage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
5.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the ramp toward AZ 303 Loop North
Navigation decision point
Toward AZ 303 Loop North
6
20.8 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
5
21.7 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
5
21.9 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge onto I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.66 one way
$41.32 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $21.86 | $43.73 |
| premium | $5.59 | $22.83 | $45.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.90 | $45.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.1 | 0 | $10.89 | $4.98 |
| Efficient EV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.07 | $4.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.5 | 0 | $14.52 | $6.64 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Clarkdale, AZ
Late night in Clarkdale on Sunday
Local time
12:47 AM
MST
Current temp
49°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
39 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 5m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
$10
near mile 103.7
View on nps.gov
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$10
near mile 85.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey presents a mixed drive, with 30% of the route utilizing highways. You'll experience stretches like the 38.2-mile segment on Arizona Veterans Highway, which offers a more uninterrupted driving experience. The Black Canyon Freeway will likely provide faster travel for a portion of the trip. As you transition from the main freeways towards Clarkdale, expect the road character to potentially change, offering a varied driving feel throughout the 103.7 miles.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.2 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.5 miles in near North El Mirage Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 103.7 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 0.5 miles (North El Mirage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 20.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Between Surprise, AZ and Clarkdale, AZ, road signs point toward Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A, Cottonwood, Payson and Jerome.
Finnie Flat
85.4 mi in
|
~1h 36m
260 To 89A
85.4 mi in
|
~1h 36m
Cottonwood
85.4 mi in
|
~1h 36m
Payson
85.4 mi in
|
~1h 36m
Jerome
85.4 mi in
|
~1h 36m
About the Cities
Starting in Surprise, AZ
Full guide →Sun City is a suburb 20 miles (30km) northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was built as a planned retirement community in Maricopa County in the 1960s. An adjacent retirement community Sun City West was built in the late 1970s; there is also a Sun City Grand. Directly northwest of the three "Sun City" suburbs is Surprise, Arizona.
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 2h 5m. Total distance: 103.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). 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 38.2 miles on Arizona Veterans 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 Clarkdale, 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 0.5 miles (North El Mirage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles: Navigation decision point; at 20.8 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 Clarkdale, AZ before heading back.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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