How far is Tempe, AZ from Cottonwood, AZ?
The driving distance from Tempe, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ is about 114.3 miles (184 km), with a travel time of about 02h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 91.7 miles (147.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 25m 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 02h 12m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tempe and Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe and Cottonwood.
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1
Start on East Apache Boulevard
925 ft · 25 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto South Una Butte Avenue
98 m · 11 sec · South Una Butte Avenue
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3
Turn right
7 m · 1 sec
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4
Turn right onto South Butte Avenue
77 m · 11 sec · South Butte Avenue
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5
Turn right onto East 12th Street
818 ft · 35 sec · East 12th Street
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6
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive
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7
Take the ramp left toward AZ 202 Loop West
1593 ft · 41 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway
7.5 mi · 9 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 West
1 mi · 1 min
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10
Merge slight right onto Papago Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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11
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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12
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Flagstaff
1069 ft · 17 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on I 17 North: Flagstaff
1.1 km · 1 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
38.3 mi · 42 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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16
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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17
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
13.4 mi · 14 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
24.9 mi · 25 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome
2375 ft · 1 min
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20
Turn left onto Finnie Flat Road
128 m · 12 sec · Finnie Flat Road
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21
Continue on Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
2478 ft · 59 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
51 m · 8 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
2331 ft · 41 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cottonwood-Camp Verde-Mogollon Rim Highway
52 m · 7 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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26
Exit the rotary onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
52 m · 3 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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28
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cottonwood-Camp Verde-Mogollon Rim Highway
44 m · 6 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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30
Exit the rotary onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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31
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
51 m · 7 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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32
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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33
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cottonwood-Camp Verde-Mogollon Rim Highway
44 m · 6 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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34
Exit the rotary onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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35
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
57 m · 8 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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36
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
4.7 mi · 7 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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37
Continue on South Main Street
128 m · 12 sec · South Main Street
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38
Continue on South Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tempe 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.
Black Canyon Freeway
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
38.3 mi · 00h 42m
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 Tempe and Sunny near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tempe to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 114.3 miles (184 km) and usually takes 02h 12m 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 57.2 miles from Tempe and 57.1 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 91.7 miles (147.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.6 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 2:04 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.95 one way or $39.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Tempe and 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 Tempe and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 91.69 mi (147.56 km).
#1 Tempe
The third most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 200,402 |
| Coordinates | 33.4147700, -111.9093100 |
| Altitude | 360 |
| 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: 184 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $19.95 | $39.91 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $21.51 | $43.02 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $22.43 | $44.86 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $25.65 | $51.31 |
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.