How far is Lake Havasu City, AZ from Cottonwood, AZ?
The driving distance from Lake Havasu City, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ is about 372.4 miles (599.3 km), with a travel time of about 07h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 272.9 miles (439.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 21m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Louisiana, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Clear
Sunny
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.
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1
Start on Mescal Loop
16 m · 7 sec · Mescal Loop
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2
Turn left onto Smoketree Avenue North
930 ft · 29 sec · Smoketree Avenue North
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3
Turn right onto North Acoma Boulevard
2.1 mi · 4 min · North Acoma Boulevard
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4
Turn right onto Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
17.7 mi · 22 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
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5
Take the exit right toward I 40 East
1933 ft · 47 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
246.6 mi · 4 hr 8 min · Purple Heart Trail
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7
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 87 North: Second Mesa
2179 ft · 1 min
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8
Turn left onto Winslow–Kayenta Highway
39.1 mi · 45 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
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9
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi · 5 min · AZ 87
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10
Continue on Winslow–Kayenta Highway
16.7 mi · 19 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
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11
At the end of the road, turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
11.7 mi · 14 min · Arizona State Highway 264
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12
Turn left onto Indian Route 60
6.6 mi · 16 min · Indian Route 60
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13
Continue on Hopi Route 65
8.4 mi · 20 min · Hopi Route 65
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14
Continue on Navajo Route 65
1.3 mi · 3 min · Navajo Route 65
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15
Continue on Indian Route 65
2.8 mi · 7 min · Indian Route 65
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16
Continue on Navajo Route 65
1.9 mi · 5 min · Navajo Route 65
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto Navajo Route 4
4 mi · 10 min · Navajo Route 4
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18
Continue on Indian Route 4
1.8 mi · 4 min · Indian Route 4
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19
Continue on Navajo Route 4
6.4 mi · 16 min · Navajo Route 4
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20
Turn right
1460 ft · 1 min
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Havasu City and Cottonwood.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Purple Heart Trail
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
247 mi · 04h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Clear leaving Lake Havasu City and 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 372.4 miles (599.3 km) and usually takes 07h 21m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Parks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 186.1 miles from Lake Havasu City and 186.3 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 272.9 miles (439.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 99.5 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 7:30 AM MST. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $65.06 one way or $130.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 116.8 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Lake Havasu City and Cottonwood, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Lake Havasu City and Sunny near Cottonwood.
Stop Ideas Near Parks
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Parks.
Williams, Arizona
Williams Junction, Arizona
Flagstaff (Greyhound), Arizona
Flagstaff Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Havasu City and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 272.9 mi (439.19 km).
#1 Lake Havasu City
A city in Mohave County, Arizona.
| Population | 55,865 |
| Coordinates | 34.4839000, -114.3224500 |
| Altitude | 225 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cottonwood
City in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 12,762 |
| Coordinates | 36.0730600, -109.8923400 |
| Altitude | 1850 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-109.89234, 36.07306)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 599 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $65.06 | $130.11 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $70.14 | $140.28 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $73.14 | $146.27 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $83.65 | $167.30 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.