How far is Cave Creek, AZ from Phoenix, AZ?

The driving distance from Cave Creek, AZ to Phoenix, AZ is about 32.6 miles (52.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.5 miles (44.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
32.59 mi
00h 43m
Flight
27.53 mi
44.31 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cave Creek.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.53 mi
Kilometers
44.31 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
32.59 mi
Kilometers
52.45 km
Drive Time
00h 43m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Phoenix
Sat, Apr 11, 7:29 AM MST
Return by in Cave Creek
Sat, Apr 11, 8:12 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cave Creek
2026-04-11T06:45
Arrive Phoenix
Sat, Apr 11, 7:29 AM MST
Route Timing
00h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:43 AM to 7:43 PM MST

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:04 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Cave Creek
10:00 PM MST
Flexible departure

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Paradise Valley
AZ

Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

From Cave Creek
16 mi
00h 21m
To Phoenix
16.7 mi
00h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday Night

Clear

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 11:00 AM MST
Wind
5 mph SSW
Destination
88°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cave Creek and Phoenix.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cave Creek and Phoenix.

  1. 1

    Start on East Cave Creek Road

    6 mi · 11 min · East Cave Creek Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Tatum Boulevard

    6.2 mi · 11 min · North Tatum Boulevard

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward AZ 101 Loop West

    2424 ft · 1 min

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway

    916 ft · 12 sec · Pima Freeway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight left toward AZ 51 South

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight right onto Piestewa Freeway

    14.5 mi · 18 min · Piestewa Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 10 West, AZ 202 Loop East: Los Angeles

    83 m · 5 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 10 West: Los Angeles

    2381 ft · 40 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway

    1.3 km · 55 sec · Papago Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward 7th Street

    1587 ft · 39 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on 7th Street South, Downtown Cultural/Sports Facilitles

    635 ft · 18 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto North 7th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · North 7th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto East Washington Street

    2695 ft · 2 min · East Washington Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Washington Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cave Creek and Phoenix.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
14 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
42.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Piestewa Freeway
14.5 mi · 45%
North Tatum Boulevard
6.21 mi · 19%
East Cave Creek Road
5.99 mi · 18%
AZ 51 South
1.33 mi · 4%
North 7th Street
0.95 mi · 3%
Papago Freeway
0.8 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Piestewa Freeway

Merge slight right onto Piestewa Freeway

14.5 mi · 00h 18m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 43m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.1 mi
27.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Paradise Valley
00h 21m from Cave Creek
Leave By
7:04 PM MST
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Clear leaving Cave Creek and Sunny near Phoenix.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cave Creek to Phoenix?

The road trip is about 32.6 miles (52.5 km) and usually takes 00h 43m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Paradise Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16 miles from Cave Creek and 16.7 miles from Phoenix.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 27.5 miles (44.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.69 one way or $11.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Clear around Cave Creek and Sunny near Phoenix.

Stop Ideas Near Paradise Valley

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Paradise Valley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Mastro's City Hall
Food stop 10.2 mi away

Mastro's City Hall

Scottsdale , AZ
6991 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, United States
Rating 4.6/5 1,194 reviews Fine dining restaurant,Restaurant,Steak house
The Phoenix Police Museum
Scenic stop 13.7 mi away

The Phoenix Police Museum

Phoenix , AZ
Historic City Hall, 17 S 2nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003, United States
Rating 4.7/5 201 reviews Tourist attraction,Children's museum,Historical landmark,Local history museum,History museum
Carefree Town Hall
Meeting point 13.9 mi away

Carefree Town Hall

Carefree , AZ
8 E Sundial Cir, Carefree, AZ 85377, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office
Phoenix City Hall
Nearby stop 13.6 mi away

Phoenix City Hall

Phoenix , AZ
200 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85003, United States
Rating 4.1/5 73 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Paradise Valley.

BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

12 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

14 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

16 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
RAIL

Maricopa

53 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cave Creek and Phoenix. Straight-line distance: 27.53 mi (44.31 km).

Cave Creek

#1 Cave Creek

Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Population5,986
Coordinates33.8333716, -111.9507042
Altitude648
CountryUnited States
Phoenix

#2 Phoenix

The fifth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Population1,708,127
Coordinates33.4483800, -112.0740400
Altitude331
CountryUnited States
Start: East Cave Creek Road (-111.950718, 33.833318)
End: West Washington Street (-112.074064, 33.448223)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 52 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.15 gal
4.35 L · about $5.69
Round trip
$11.39
2.3 gal · 8.7 L
Estimated CO2
10.2 kg one way
Round trip: 20.4 kg / 45 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $5.69 $11.39
Mid-grade $5.34 $6.14 $12.28
Premium $5.57 $6.40 $12.80
Diesel $6.37 $7.32 $14.64

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Arizona · Apr 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Cave Creek and Phoenix. The current time is 06:45:53.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.