How far is Cottonwood, AZ from Flagstaff, AZ?

The driving distance from Cottonwood, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ is about 167.1 miles (269 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 115.8 miles (186.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
167.17 mi
03h 18m
Flight
115.8 mi
186.37 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cottonwood.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
115.8 mi
Kilometers
186.37 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
167.17 mi
Kilometers
269.03 km
Drive Time
03h 18m

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 03h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Flagstaff
Fri, May 1, 12:53 AM MST
Return by in Cottonwood
Fri, May 1, 5:12 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cottonwood
2026-04-30T22:34
Arrive Flagstaff
Fri, May 1, 1:53 AM MDT
Route Timing
03h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
8:19 AM to 10:19 AM MST

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:22 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cottonwood
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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
Dilkon
AZ

Census designated place

From Cottonwood
83.1 mi
01h 39m
To Flagstaff
84.1 mi
01h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 7:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph W
Destination
64°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM MST
Wind
1 to 9 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cottonwood and Flagstaff.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood and Flagstaff.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    962 ft · 42 sec

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    152 m · 27 sec

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Navajo Route 4

    6.4 mi · 15 min · Navajo Route 4

  4. 4

    Continue on Indian Route 4

    1.8 mi · 4 min · Indian Route 4

  5. 5

    Continue on Navajo Route 4

    4 mi · 10 min · Navajo Route 4

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Navajo Route 65

    1.9 mi · 5 min · Navajo Route 65

  7. 7

    Continue on Indian Route 65

    2.8 mi · 7 min · Indian Route 65

  8. 8

    Continue on Navajo Route 65

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Navajo Route 65

  9. 9

    Continue on Hopi Route 65

    8.4 mi · 20 min · Hopi Route 65

  10. 10

    Continue on Indian Route 60

    6.6 mi · 16 min · Indian Route 60

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264

    11.7 mi · 14 min · Arizona State Highway 264

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Winslow–Kayenta Highway

    16.7 mi · 19 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on AZ 87

    4.1 mi · 5 min · AZ 87

  14. 14

    Continue on Winslow–Kayenta Highway

    38.8 mi · 45 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway

  15. 15

    Take the ramp right

    2575 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

    58.7 mi · 59 min · Purple Heart Trail

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Butler Avenue

    1845 ft · 47 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right onto East Butler Avenue

    1440 ft · 37 sec · East Butler Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on South Ponderosa Parkway

    1123 ft · 35 sec · South Ponderosa Parkway

  20. 20

    Turn left onto East Route 66

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Route 66

  21. 21

    Continue on East Historic Route 66

    1002 ft · 23 sec · East Historic Route 66

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Historic Route 66

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cottonwood and Flagstaff.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
22 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
58.7 mi · 35%
Winslow–Kayenta Highway
56 mi · 34%
Arizona State Highway 264
11.7 mi · 7%
Navajo Route 4
10.4 mi · 6%
Hopi Route 65
8.4 mi · 5%
Indian Route 60
6.64 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Purple Heart Trail

Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

58.7 mi · 00h 59m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 18m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+51.3 mi
115.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dilkon
01h 39m from Cottonwood
Leave By
10:22 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Cottonwood and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Flagstaff.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cottonwood to Flagstaff?

The road trip is about 167.1 miles (269 km) and usually takes 03h 18m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Dilkon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.1 miles from Cottonwood and 84.1 miles from Flagstaff.

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

The direct path is about 115.8 miles (186.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:22 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.21 one way or $58.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.4 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Cottonwood and Flagstaff, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cottonwood and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Flagstaff.

Stop Ideas Near Dilkon

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Dilkon, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dilkon.

RAIL

Winslow

53 mi away
501 East Second Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cottonwood and Flagstaff. Straight-line distance: 115.8 mi (186.37 km).

Cottonwood

#1 Cottonwood

City in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States

Population12,762
Coordinates36.0730600, -109.8923400
Altitude1850
CountryUnited States
Flagstaff

#2 Flagstaff

The most populous city in Coconino County, Arizona.

Population73,939
Coordinates35.1980700, -111.6512700
Altitude2104
CountryUnited States
Start: (-109.892378, 36.073021)
End: US 180 (-111.651222, 35.198174)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 269 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.9 gal
22.33 L · about $29.21
Round trip
$58.42
11.8 gal · 44.66 L
Estimated CO2
52.4 kg one way
Round trip: 104.9 kg / 231 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $29.21 $58.42
Mid-grade $5.34 $31.49 $62.99
Premium $5.57 $32.84 $65.68
Diesel $6.37 $37.56 $75.12

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 · May 01, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Cottonwood, AZ and Flagstaff, AZ. The current time in Cottonwood is 22:34:39, although it is 21:34:39 in Flagstaff.

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.