How far is Flagstaff, AZ from Thatcher, AZ?

The driving distance from Flagstaff, AZ to Thatcher, AZ is about 296.1 miles (476.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 195.1 miles (314 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
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
296.06 mi
05h 46m
Flight
195.12 mi
314.02 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Flagstaff.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
195.12 mi
Kilometers
314.02 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
296.06 mi
Kilometers
476.46 km
Drive Time
05h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Thatcher
Tue, May 26, 7:38 PM MST
Return by in Flagstaff
Wed, May 27, 1:25 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Flagstaff
2026-05-26T13:51
Arrive Thatcher
Tue, May 26, 7:38 PM MST
Route Timing
05h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:47 AM to 1:47 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
5:26 AM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Flagstaff
9:00 PM MST
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
Pinetop-Lakeside
AZ

Small town in Navajo County

From Flagstaff
148 mi
02h 53m
To Thatcher
148.1 mi
02h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM MST
Wind
3 to 14 mph S
Destination
91°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 13 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Historic Route 66

    1002 ft · 25 sec · West Historic Route 66

  2. 2

    Continue on East Route 66

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Route 66

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Ponderosa Parkway

    1123 ft · 30 sec · South Ponderosa Parkway

  4. 4

    Continue on East Butler Avenue

    2355 ft · 1 min · East Butler Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    1550 ft · 38 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

    86.1 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Purple Heart Trail

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 40 Business East, US 180, AZ 77 South: Petrified Forest National Park, Show Low

    2141 ft · 53 sec · Holbrook-Springerville Highway

  8. 8

    Turn right onto West Hopi Drive

    1.5 mi · 2 min · West Hopi Drive

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Navajo Boulevard

    1036 ft · 13 sec · Navajo Boulevard

  10. 10

    Continue on Holbrook-Springerville Highway

    2841 ft · 57 sec · Holbrook-Springerville Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway

    24.5 mi · 28 min · Show Low-Holbrook Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Arizona State Highway 77

    2 mi · 3 min · Arizona State Highway 77

  13. 13

    Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway

    900 ft · 14 sec · Show Low-Holbrook Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on North Main Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · North Main Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway

    1 mi · 2 min · Show Low-Holbrook Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on South Main Street

    2176 ft · 53 sec · South Main Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway

    11.4 mi · 13 min · Show Low-Holbrook Highway

  18. 18

    Continue on North Penrod Road

    3.5 mi · 4 min · North Penrod Road

  19. 19

    Turn right onto East Deuce of Clubs

    3 mi · 7 min · East Deuce of Clubs

  20. 20

    Continue on Globe-Show Low Highway

    83.5 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Globe-Show Low Highway

  21. 21

    Turn sharp left onto East Ash Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Ash Street

  22. 22

    Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway

    70.4 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

  24. 24

    Continue on West Main Street

    2842 ft · 1 min · West Main Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
86.1 mi · 29%
Globe-Show Low Highway
83.5 mi · 28%
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
71.2 mi · 24%
Show Low-Holbrook Highway
37.1 mi · 13%
North Penrod Road
3.55 mi · 1%
East Deuce of Clubs
3.04 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Purple Heart Trail

Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

86.1 mi · 01h 27m

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 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+101 mi
195.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pinetop-Lakeside
02h 53m from Flagstaff
Leave By
5:26 AM MST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Flagstaff and Sunny near Thatcher.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 296.1 miles (476.5 km) and usually takes 05h 46m 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?

Pinetop-Lakeside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148 miles from Flagstaff and 148.1 miles from Thatcher.

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

The direct path is about 195.1 miles (314 km), while the road route adds roughly 101 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 5:26 AM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $51.74 one way or $103.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 92.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Flagstaff and Sunny near Thatcher.

Stop Ideas Near Pinetop-Lakeside

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Pinetop-Lakeside, 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 Pinetop-Lakeside.

RAIL

Winslow

118 mi away
501 East Second Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Flagstaff and Thatcher. Straight-line distance: 195.12 mi (314.02 km).

Flagstaff

#1 Flagstaff

The most populous city in Coconino County, Arizona.

Population73,939
Coordinates35.1980700, -111.6512700
Altitude2104
CountryUnited States
Thatcher

#2 Thatcher

Town in Graham County, Arizona, United States

Population5,264
Coordinates32.8492300, -109.7592500
Altitude887
CountryUnited States
Start: Flagstaff (-111.65127, 35.19807)
End: Thatcher (-109.75925, 32.84923)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 476 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.45 gal
39.55 L · about $51.74
Round trip
$103.48
20.9 gal · 79.1 L
Estimated CO2
92.9 kg one way
Round trip: 185.7 kg / 409 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $51.74 $103.48
Mid-grade $5.34 $55.78 $111.56
Premium $5.57 $58.16 $116.33
Diesel $6.37 $66.52 $133.05

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Flagstaff and Thatcher. The current time is 13:51:12.

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.