How far is Cottonwood, AZ from Phoenix, AZ?

The driving distance from Cottonwood, AZ to Phoenix, AZ is about 316.7 miles (509.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 219.6 miles (353.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 59m 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
316.73 mi
05h 29m
Flight
219.58 mi
353.38 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
219.58 mi
Kilometers
353.38 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
316.73 mi
Kilometers
509.73 km
Drive Time
05h 29m

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 05h 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Phoenix
Sun, Apr 19, 1:28 AM MST
Return by in Cottonwood
Sun, Apr 19, 7:58 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cottonwood
2026-04-18T20:58
Arrive Phoenix
Sun, Apr 19, 2:28 AM MDT
Route Timing
05h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM MST

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

Leave by
6:00 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
Flagstaff
AZ

The most populous city in Coconino County, Arizona.

From Cottonwood
154.3 mi
02h 44m
To Phoenix
162.4 mi
02h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 7:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 mph NE
Destination
90°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    61.2 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Purple Heart Trail

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff

    907 ft · 17 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight left to continue on I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix

    1 mi · 2 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway

    93 mi · 1 hr 33 min · Arizona Veterans Highway

  20. 20

    Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway

    5.8 mi · 6 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway

  21. 21

    Continue on Black Canyon Freeway

    10.5 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway

  22. 22

    Continue on North Black Canyon Highway

    3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway

  23. 23

    Continue on Black Canyon Freeway

    24.8 mi · 29 min · Black Canyon Freeway

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles

    968 ft · 15 sec

  25. 25

    Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson

    1.3 km · 1 min

  26. 26

    Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway

    3165 ft · 42 sec · Papago Freeway

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right toward 7th Avenue

    1345 ft · 33 sec

  28. 28

    Keep slight right to continue on 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities

    549 ft · 13 sec

  29. 29

    Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue

    136 m · 16 sec · North 7th Avenue

  30. 30

    Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street

    2414 ft · 1 min · West Roosevelt Street

  31. 31

    Turn right onto North 1st Avenue

    9 m · 1 sec · North 1st Avenue

  32. 32

    Keep slight right to continue on North 1st Avenue

    1 km · 1 min · North 1st Avenue

  33. 33

    Turn left onto West Adams Street

    776 ft · 40 sec · West Adams Street

  34. 34

    Turn right onto North 1st Street

    125 m · 18 sec · North 1st Street

  35. 35

    Turn right onto East Washington Street

    138 m · 15 sec · East Washington Street

  36. 36

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Washington Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
36 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Arizona Veterans Highway
93 mi · 29%
Purple Heart Trail
61.2 mi · 19%
Winslow–Kayenta Highway
56 mi · 18%
Black Canyon Freeway
35.3 mi · 11%
Arizona State Highway 264
11.7 mi · 4%
Navajo Route 4
10.4 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Arizona Veterans Highway

Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway

93 mi · 01h 34m

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
05h 29m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+97.1 mi
219.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Flagstaff
02h 44m from Cottonwood
Leave By
6:00 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Cottonwood and Sunny near Phoenix.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 316.7 miles (509.7 km) and usually takes 05h 29m 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?

Flagstaff is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.3 miles from Cottonwood and 162.4 miles from Phoenix.

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

The direct path is about 219.6 miles (353.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 97.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:00 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $55.35 one way or $110.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.4 kg one way.

Do you cross a time zone on this route?

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

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cottonwood and Sunny near Phoenix.

Stop Ideas Near Flagstaff

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 Flagstaff and the surrounding midpoint area.
United States Postal Service
Practical stop 10.5 mi away

United States Postal Service

Flagstaff , AZ
104 S WC Riles Dr, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Rating 2.7/5 43 reviews Post office,Logistics service,Money order service,Shipping and mailing service
Flagstaff City Hall
Meeting point 10.8 mi away

Flagstaff City Hall

Flagstaff , AZ
211 W Aspen Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Rating 3.5/5 8 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.2 mi away

Flagstaff Public Works Department

Flagstaff , AZ
3200 W Rte 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Rating 1.0/5 1 reviews Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Flagstaff Station

1 East Route 66
BUS

Flagstaff (Greyhound), Arizona

1 mi away
399 S. Malpais Ln.
BUS

Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona

38 mi away
300 North Highway 89A
BUS

Williams, Arizona

49 mi away
233 North Grand Canyon Blvd

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cottonwood and Phoenix. Straight-line distance: 219.58 mi (353.38 km).

Cottonwood

#1 Cottonwood

City in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States

Population12,762
Coordinates36.0730600, -109.8923400
Altitude1850
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: (-109.892378, 36.073021)
End: West Washington Street (-112.074064, 33.448223)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 510 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.18 gal
42.31 L · about $55.35
Round trip
$110.70
22.36 gal · 84.62 L
Estimated CO2
99.4 kg one way
Round trip: 198.7 kg / 438 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $55.35 $110.70
Mid-grade $5.34 $59.68 $119.36
Premium $5.57 $62.23 $124.46
Diesel $6.37 $71.17 $142.34

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 19, 2026

Please keep in mind that there is a 1 hour time gap between Cottonwood, AZ and Phoenix, AZ. The current time in Cottonwood is 20:58:54, although it is 19:58:54 in Phoenix.

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.