How far is Surprise, AZ from Cottonwood, AZ?
The driving distance from Surprise, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ is about 99.7 miles (160.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.8 miles (126.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 57m 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 58m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Surprise and Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surprise and Cottonwood.
-
1
Start on North Nash Street
27 m · 5 sec · North Nash Street
-
2
Turn right onto West Paradise Lane
2632 ft · 2 min · West Paradise Lane
-
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto North El Mirage Road
5 mi · 9 min · North El Mirage Road
-
4
Take the ramp right toward AZ 303 Loop North
2534 ft · 2 min
-
5
Merge slight left onto Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
14.8 mi · 17 min · Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
-
6
Take the exit slight left toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
1.4 km · 1 min
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 17 North: Flagstaff
1270 ft · 17 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
16.4 mi · 17 min · Black Canyon Freeway
-
9
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
-
10
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
13.4 mi · 14 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
24.9 mi · 25 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome
2375 ft · 1 min
-
13
Turn left onto Finnie Flat Road
128 m · 12 sec · Finnie Flat Road
-
14
Continue on Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
2478 ft · 59 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
51 m · 8 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
16
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
2331 ft · 41 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cottonwood-Camp Verde-Mogollon Rim Highway
52 m · 7 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
19
Exit the rotary onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
52 m · 3 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
21
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cottonwood-Camp Verde-Mogollon Rim Highway
44 m · 6 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
23
Exit the rotary onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
51 m · 7 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
25
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cottonwood-Camp Verde-Mogollon Rim Highway
44 m · 6 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
27
Exit the rotary onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
57 m · 8 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
29
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
4.7 mi · 7 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
-
30
Continue on South Main Street
128 m · 12 sec · South Main Street
-
31
Continue on South Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
-
32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Surprise and Cottonwood.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Arizona Veterans Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
24.9 mi · 00h 25m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Surprise and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Surprise to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 99.7 miles (160.4 km) and usually takes 01h 58m 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?
Black Canyon City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.9 miles from Surprise and 49.8 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.8 miles (126.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.9 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 2:32 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.43 one way or $34.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Surprise and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
Stop Ideas Near Black Canyon City
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 Black Canyon City.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Camp Verde, Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Surprise and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 78.8 mi (126.81 km).
#1 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cottonwood
City in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 11,818 |
| Coordinates | 34.7391900, -112.0098800 |
| Altitude | 1014 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-112.00988, 34.73919)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 160 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $17.43 | $34.86 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $18.79 | $37.58 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $19.59 | $39.18 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $22.41 | $44.82 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.