How far is Lake Havasu City, AZ from Cottonwood, AZ?

The driving distance from Lake Havasu City, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ is about 234.8 miles (377.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 132.7 miles (213.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 18m 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
234.76 mi
04h 39m
Flight
132.68 mi
213.53 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake Havasu City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
132.68 mi
Kilometers
213.53 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
234.76 mi
Kilometers
377.81 km
Drive Time
04h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cottonwood
Thu, Apr 16, 10:35 PM MST
Return by in Lake Havasu City
Fri, Apr 17, 3:14 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Havasu City
2026-04-16T17:55
Arrive Cottonwood
Thu, Apr 16, 10:35 PM MST
Route Timing
04h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:39 AM to 12:39 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
7:42 AM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake Havasu City
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
Paulden
AZ

Census-designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona

From Lake Havasu City
117.4 mi
02h 19m
To Cottonwood
117.4 mi
02h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM MST
Wind
3 to 16 mph SSE
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 20 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Havasu City and Cottonwood.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Havasu City and Cottonwood.

  1. 1

    Start on Mescal Loop

    16 m · 7 sec · Mescal Loop

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Smoketree Avenue North

    930 ft · 29 sec · Smoketree Avenue North

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Acoma Boulevard

    2.1 mi · 4 min · North Acoma Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway

    17.7 mi · 22 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway

  5. 5

    Take the exit right toward I 40 East

    1933 ft · 47 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

    135.2 mi · 2 hr 15 min · Purple Heart Trail

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 40 Business, AZ 89 South: Ash Fork, Prescott

    1837 ft · 43 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    32.4 mi · 38 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    46 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    5 mi · 6 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    52 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    1.3 km · 54 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    24 m · 1 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    3.7 mi · 4 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    42 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    1.4 km · 1 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    45 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

    3075 ft · 49 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

  19. 19

    Turn left onto AZ 89A|none

    1502 ft · 43 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on AZ 89A

    826 ft · 20 sec

  21. 21

    Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    6.3 mi · 7 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  22. 22

    Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    3.6 mi · 5 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  23. 23

    Continue on AZ 89A

    15.6 mi · 33 min · AZ 89A

  24. 24

    Continue on Clark Street

    852 ft · 43 sec · Clark Street

  25. 25

    Turn sharp right onto Hull Street

    101 m · 15 sec · Hull Street

  26. 26

    Continue on Center Avenue

    657 ft · 31 sec · Center Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn right onto 2nd Street

    81 m · 17 sec · 2nd Street

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Verde Avenue

    62 m · 16 sec · Verde Avenue

  29. 29

    Turn sharp right onto Main Street

    1834 ft · 1 min · Main Street

  30. 30

    Continue on Hampshire Avenue

    1528 ft · 1 min · Hampshire Avenue

  31. 31

    Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  32. 32

    Continue on West State Route 89A

    1 mi · 2 min · West State Route 89A

  33. 33

    Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    1993 ft · 35 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  34. 34

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    6 m · 1 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  35. 35

    Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    2004 ft · 38 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  36. 36

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    44 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  37. 37

    Exit the rotary onto Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    1851 ft · 36 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  38. 38

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    41 m · 3 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  39. 39

    Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  40. 40

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    46 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  41. 41

    Exit the rotary onto Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    1 km · 57 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  42. 42

    Turn slight right onto Prescott-Flagstaff Highway

    37 m · 2 sec · Prescott-Flagstaff Highway

  43. 43

    Turn straight

    131 m · 7 sec

  44. 44

    Turn straight onto Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

  45. 45

    Continue on East Cottonwood Street

    3078 ft · 1 min · East Cottonwood Street

  46. 46

    Turn left onto South Main Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · South Main Street

  47. 47

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Havasu City and Cottonwood.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
47 steps
31 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
21
1 merges, 20 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
135 mi · 58%
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
43.4 mi · 19%
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
17.7 mi · 8%
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
16 mi · 7%
AZ 89A
15.7 mi · 7%
North Acoma Boulevard
2.09 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
04h 39m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+102.1 mi
132.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Paulden
02h 19m from Lake Havasu City
Leave By
7:42 AM MST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Lake Havasu City and Partly Sunny near Cottonwood.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lake Havasu City to Cottonwood?

The road trip is about 234.8 miles (377.8 km) and usually takes 04h 39m 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 Lake Havasu City and 117.4 miles from Cottonwood.

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 102.1 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 MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:42 AM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.99 one way or $81.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lake Havasu City and Partly Sunny near Cottonwood.

Stop Ideas Near Paulden

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 Paulden and the surrounding midpoint area.
Chevron Seligman
Practical stop 14.8 mi away

Chevron Seligman

Seligman , AZ
21355 I-40, Seligman, AZ 86337
Rating 4.0/5 1,100 reviews Gas station,Diesel fuel supplier,Fuel pump
Seligman Fire District
Nearby stop 13.7 mi away

Seligman Fire District

Seligman , AZ
22590 W Old Hwy 66, Seligman, AZ 86337
Rating 5.0/5 7 reviews Fire station
Chevron
Practical stop 14 mi away

Chevron

Seligman , AZ
527 W Chino St, Seligman, AZ 86337
Rating 4.2/5 146 reviews Gas station

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Williams, Arizona

48 mi away
233 North Grand Canyon Blvd
RAIL

Williams Junction, Arizona

48 mi away
No address. Reserve from WMA.
BUS

Camp Verde, Arizona

61 mi away
1613 Finnie Flats Rd
BUS

Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona

65 mi away
300 North Highway 89A

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake Havasu City and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 132.68 mi (213.53 km).

Lake Havasu City

#1 Lake Havasu City

A city in Mohave County, Arizona.

Population55,865
Coordinates34.4839000, -114.3224500
Altitude225
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Cottonwood

City in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States

Population11,818
Coordinates34.7391900, -112.0098800
Altitude1014
CountryUnited States
Start: Lake Havasu City (-114.32245, 34.4839)
End: Cottonwood (-112.00988, 34.73919)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 378 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.28 gal
31.36 L · about $40.99
Round trip
$81.99
16.56 gal · 62.72 L
Estimated CO2
73.6 kg one way
Round trip: 147.2 kg / 325 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $40.99 $81.99
Mid-grade $5.34 $44.20 $88.40
Premium $5.57 $46.09 $92.17
Diesel $6.37 $52.71 $105.42

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Lake Havasu City and Cottonwood. The current time is 17:55:48.

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.