How far is Cottonwood, AZ from Lake Havasu City, AZ?
The driving distance from Cottonwood, AZ to Lake Havasu City, AZ is about 267.1 miles (429.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132.7 miles (213.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 13m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census-designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cottonwood and Lake Havasu City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood and Lake Havasu City.
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1
Start on South Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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2
Turn right onto East Cottonwood Street
3078 ft · 1 min · East Cottonwood Street
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3
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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4
Turn slight right onto Prescott-Flagstaff Highway
31 m · 2 sec · Prescott-Flagstaff Highway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
1 km · 58 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
38 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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7
Exit the rotary onto Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
46 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
1844 ft · 35 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
51 m · 3 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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11
Exit the rotary onto Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
2003 ft · 39 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
66 m · 4 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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13
Exit the rotary onto Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
2007 ft · 34 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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14
Continue on West State Route 89A
1 mi · 2 min · West State Route 89A
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15
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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16
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
1.1 km · 2 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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17
Continue on Hampshire Avenue
1528 ft · 1 min · Hampshire Avenue
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18
Continue on Main Street
2113 ft · 2 min · Main Street
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19
Turn sharp left onto 1st Street
39 m · 7 sec · 1st Street
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20
Continue on 1st Street
48 m · 7 sec · 1st Street
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21
Continue on Center Avenue
1027 ft · 53 sec · Center Avenue
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22
Turn sharp left onto Clark Street
852 ft · 37 sec · Clark Street
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23
Continue on AZ 89A
13.6 mi · 30 min · AZ 89A
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24
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
1281 ft · 20 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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25
Continue on AZ 89A
1.8 mi · 2 min · AZ 89A
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26
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
3.6 mi · 5 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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27
Turn right onto Fain Road
1774 ft · 23 sec · Fain Road
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28
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 89: Prescott, Chino Valley
2345 ft · 45 sec
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30
Turn right onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
2760 ft · 37 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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31
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
31 m · 1 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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32
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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33
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
42 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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34
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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35
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
46 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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36
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
1.3 km · 53 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
-
37
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
46 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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38
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
5 mi · 6 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
-
39
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
45 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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40
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
32.4 mi · 38 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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41
Continue on Lewis Avenue
552 ft · 13 sec · Lewis Avenue
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42
Take the exit left toward I 40 West
2183 ft · 53 sec
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43
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
135.1 mi · 2 hr 15 min · Purple Heart Trail
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44
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 95 South: Lake Havasu City, Parker
1420 ft · 43 sec
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45
Turn left onto Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
17.7 mi · 22 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
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46
Turn left onto Acoma Boulevard West
2.1 mi · 4 min · Acoma Boulevard West
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47
Turn left onto Smoketree Avenue North
930 ft · 27 sec · Smoketree Avenue North
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48
Turn right onto Mescal Loop
16 m · 2 sec · Mescal Loop
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49
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mescal Loop
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cottonwood and Lake Havasu City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Purple Heart Trail
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
135 mi · 02h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cottonwood and Clear near Lake Havasu City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cottonwood to Lake Havasu City?
The road trip is about 267.1 miles (429.9 km) and usually takes 04h 13m 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?
Paulden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.4 miles from Cottonwood and 149.8 miles from Lake Havasu City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132.7 miles (213.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 134.4 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 MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:32 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.69 one way or $93.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cottonwood and Clear near Lake Havasu City.
Stop Ideas Near Paulden
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Chevron Seligman
Seligman Fire District
Chevron
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Paulden.
Williams, Arizona
Williams Junction, Arizona
Camp Verde, Arizona
Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cottonwood and Lake Havasu City. Straight-line distance: 132.68 mi (213.53 km).
#1 Cottonwood
City in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 11,818 |
| Coordinates | 34.7391900, -112.0098800 |
| Altitude | 1014 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Havasu City
A city in Mohave County, Arizona.
| Population | 55,865 |
| Coordinates | 34.4839000, -114.3224500 |
| Altitude | 225 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mescal Loop (-114.322535, 34.483857)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 430 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $46.69 | $93.38 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $50.34 | $100.67 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $52.49 | $104.97 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $60.03 | $120.06 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.