How far is Paulden, AZ from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance from Paulden, AZ to Surprise, AZ is about 109.9 miles (176.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87.1 miles (140.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 57m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paulden and Surprise.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paulden and Surprise.
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1
Start on Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
6.8 mi · 8 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
46 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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3
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
5 mi · 6 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
52 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
1.3 km · 54 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
24 m · 1 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
42 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
45 m · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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11
Exit the roundabout onto Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
3075 ft · 49 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
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12
Turn left onto AZ 89A|none
1502 ft · 43 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on AZ 89A
826 ft · 20 sec
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14
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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15
Continue on Fain Road
7.2 mi · 9 min · Fain Road
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16
Turn left onto Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
21.3 mi · 26 min · Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
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17
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
16.7 mi · 17 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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18
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi · 6 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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19
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
10.5 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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20
Continue on North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
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21
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 303 Loop South
2524 ft · 38 sec
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23
Turn right
3181 ft · 1 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right
1 km · 46 sec
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25
Continue straight
125 m · 7 sec
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26
Keep slight left
1628 ft · 21 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
948 ft · 12 sec · Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
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28
Take the exit slight right
1.1 km · 48 sec
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29
Continue straight
1459 ft · 19 sec
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30
Merge slight left onto Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
12.1 mi · 14 min · Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward El Mirage Road
1488 ft · 1 min
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32
Continue on El Mirage Road
1088 ft · 1 min
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33
Turn left onto North El Mirage Road
5.1 mi · 9 min · North El Mirage Road
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34
Turn right onto West Paradise Lane
2632 ft · 2 min · West Paradise Lane
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35
Turn left onto North Nash Street
27 m · 3 sec · North Nash Street
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Nash Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paulden and Surprise.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
Turn left onto Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
21.3 mi · 00h 26m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Paulden and Mostly Sunny near Surprise.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Paulden to Surprise?
The road trip is about 109.9 miles (176.8 km) and usually takes 01h 57m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cordes Lakes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57.2 miles from Paulden and 52.7 miles from Surprise.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87.1 miles (140.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:36 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.21 one way or $38.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Paulden and Mostly Sunny near Surprise.
Stop Ideas Near Cordes Lakes
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 Cordes Lakes.
Camp Verde, Arizona
Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Paulden and Surprise. Straight-line distance: 87.05 mi (140.1 km).
#1 Paulden
Census-designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona
| Population | 5,231 |
| Coordinates | 34.8855800, -112.4682300 |
| Altitude | 1344 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Nash Street (-112.333445, 33.630589)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 177 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $19.21 | $38.42 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $20.71 | $41.42 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $21.60 | $43.19 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $24.70 | $49.40 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.