This 200-mile journey from Winslow to Phoenix, Arizona, is a straightforward day trip taking about 3.5 hours. You'll primarily travel on the Arizona Veterans Highway, Purple Heart Trail, and Black Canyon Freeway. With a fuel cost estimated around $40, this drive is an economical option for a single-day adventure. The route stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape. Given its manageable length and duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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
100 miles from Winslow, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Winslow, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
0.2 mi·18 sec·East 3rd Street
2
Continue on I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
0.2 mi·17 sec·West 3rd Steet
3
Continue on I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
1.4 mi·2 min·West 3rd Street
4
Turn right onto I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
0.1 mi·16 sec·Hipkoe Drive
5
Take the ramp onto I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
0.3 mi·44 sec·I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
6
Merge onto I 40; US 180; AZ 99
56 mi·56 min·Purple Heart Trail
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
9
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi·1 hr 33 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
10
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 17
25 mi·28 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 200AToward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, TucsonUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 10
0.6 mi·41 sec·Papago Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 144AToward 7th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport FacilitiesUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue
445 ft·16 sec·North 7th Avenue
20
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Roosevelt Street
21
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
29 ft·0 sec·North 1st Avenue
22
Keep slight right at fork onto North 1st Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·North 1st Avenue
23
Turn left onto West Adams Street
0.1 mi·40 sec·West Adams Street
24
Turn right onto North 1st Street
408 ft·18 sec·North 1st Street
25
Turn right onto East Washington Street
453 ft·15 sec·East Washington Street
26
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
This drive is easily accomplished in one day, so you have the flexibility to leave when you're ready. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the 3.5-hour journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 93-mile stretch on the Arizona Veterans Highway, as services might be less frequent. The $40 fuel cost estimate is a good baseline for budgeting, but always factor in potential price fluctuations. A practical tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the local road names before you depart, as you'll be navigating several named highways.
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 100 miles from Winslow, AZ, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 44 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100 miles or 1h 43m 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 48m
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 Winslow, 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 Winslow, AZ
This is one driving day of about 200 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Winslow, 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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 93 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 58.1 and 198.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
58.1 mi into trip|~1h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
8
196.5 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 200A
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, L...
8
196.7 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
7
198.1 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward 7th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 144A
Toward 7th Avenue
9
198.4 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State Universi...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.84 one way
$79.69 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$42.17
$84.33
premium
$5.59
$44.02
$88.05
diesel
$5.61
$44.16
$88.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60
0
$21.00
$9.60
Efficient EV
50
0
$17.50
$8.00
EV Truck/SUV
80
0
$28.00
$12.80
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Winslow, AZ
Late night
in Winslow on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
MST
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Late night
in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
12:42 AM
MST
Current temp
93°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
3h 31m 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.
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...
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$25
near mile 48.6
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...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
$10
near mile 104.1
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$25
near mile 48.6
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 for much of this 200-mile route, with only an 18% share of highway driving. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 93 miles along the Arizona Veterans Highway. This road profile suggests a journey with frequent transitions rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. You'll likely experience a mix of road types, requiring your attention as you navigate between local roads and the more direct highway sections.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 58.1 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 200 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 58.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Winslow, AZ to Phoenix, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Flagstaff along the way.
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 31m. Total distance: 200 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93 miles on Arizona Veterans 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 58.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 196.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Phoenix, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
