How far is Phoenix, AZ from Cave Creek, AZ?
The driving distance from Phoenix, AZ to Cave Creek, AZ is about 32.9 miles (53 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.5 miles (44.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 38m 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 00h 49m.
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.
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Phoenix and Cave Creek.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix and Cave Creek.
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1
Start on West Washington Street
2602 ft · 1 min · West Washington Street
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2
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · North 7th Avenue
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 10 East: Tucson
1897 ft · 46 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2431 ft · 32 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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5
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on AZ 51 North
2819 ft · 40 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Piestewa Freeway
14.7 mi · 18 min · Piestewa Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop East
1.5 km · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
2188 ft · 29 sec · Pima Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Tatum Boulevard
1557 ft · 38 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Tatum Boulevard
552 ft · 15 sec
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13
Turn straight onto North Tatum Boulevard
6.3 mi · 11 min · North Tatum Boulevard
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14
Turn right onto North Cave Creek Road
6 mi · 11 min · North Cave Creek Road
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15
Continue on East Cave Creek Road
42 m · 11 sec · East Cave Creek Road
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Cave Creek Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Phoenix and Cave Creek.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Piestewa Freeway
Merge slight left onto Piestewa Freeway
14.7 mi · 00h 18m
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 Phoenix and Clear near Cave Creek.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Phoenix to Cave Creek?
The road trip is about 32.9 miles (53 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?
Paradise Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.5 miles from Phoenix and 16.5 miles from Cave Creek.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.5 miles (44.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:52 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.74 one way or $11.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Phoenix and Clear near Cave Creek.
Stop Ideas Near Paradise Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
The Phoenix Police Museum
City of Peoria Municipal Operations Center
Peoria City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Paradise Valley.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Phoenix and Cave Creek. Straight-line distance: 27.53 mi (44.3 km).
#1 Phoenix
The fifth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Phoenix metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,708,127 |
| Coordinates | 33.4483800, -112.0740400 |
| Altitude | 331 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cave Creek
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 5,341 |
| Coordinates | 33.8333300, -111.9508300 |
| Altitude | 648 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cave Creek (-111.95083, 33.83333)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $5.74 | $11.49 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $6.19 | $12.38 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $6.46 | $12.91 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $7.38 | $14.77 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.