How far is Thatcher, AZ from Flagstaff, AZ?

The driving distance from Thatcher, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ is about 248.4 miles (399.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 195.1 miles (314 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
248.33 mi
04h 43m
Flight
195.12 mi
314.02 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Thatcher.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
195.12 mi
Kilometers
314.02 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
248.33 mi
Kilometers
399.65 km
Drive Time
04h 43m

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 04h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Flagstaff
Tue, May 26, 5:33 PM MST
Return by in Thatcher
Tue, May 26, 10:16 PM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Thatcher
2026-05-26T12:50
Arrive Flagstaff
Tue, May 26, 5:33 PM MST
Route Timing
04h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM MST

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:34 AM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Thatcher
9:00 PM MST
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Pinetop-Lakeside
AZ

Small town in Navajo County

From Thatcher
148 mi
02h 21m
To Flagstaff
100.3 mi
02h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 13 mph S
Destination
70°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM MST
Wind
3 to 14 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Thatcher and Flagstaff.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Thatcher and Flagstaff.

  1. 1

    Start on West Main Street

    2842 ft · 1 min · West Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway

    4.7 mi · 7 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

  3. 3

    Continue on East Center Street

    66.5 mi · 1 hr 22 min · East Center Street

  4. 4

    Continue on East Ash Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East Ash Street

  5. 5

    Take the exit right

    73 m · 7 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Globe-Show Low Highway

    83.4 mi · 1 hr 36 min · Globe-Show Low Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on West Deuce of Clubs

    3 mi · 7 min · West Deuce of Clubs

  8. 8

    Turn left onto North Penrod Road

    3.5 mi · 4 min · North Penrod Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway

    11.4 mi · 13 min · Show Low-Holbrook Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on South Main Street

    2176 ft · 53 sec · South Main Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway

    1 mi · 2 min · Show Low-Holbrook Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on South Main Street

    2.4 mi · 5 min · South Main Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway

    900 ft · 12 sec · Show Low-Holbrook Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Arizona State Highway 77

    2 mi · 3 min · Arizona State Highway 77

  15. 15

    Continue on Show Low-Holbrook Highway

    24.5 mi · 28 min · Show Low-Holbrook Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Holbrook-Springerville Highway

    2841 ft · 57 sec · Holbrook-Springerville Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Navajo Boulevard

    1036 ft · 21 sec · Navajo Boulevard

  18. 18

    Turn left onto West Hopi Drive

    1.7 mi · 3 min · West Hopi Drive

  19. 19

    Take the ramp left toward Holbrook-Springerville Highway

    2655 ft · 1 min · Holbrook-Springerville Highway

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

    86.1 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Purple Heart Trail

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward Butler Avenue

    1845 ft · 47 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right onto East Butler Avenue

    1440 ft · 37 sec · East Butler Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on South Ponderosa Parkway

    1123 ft · 35 sec · South Ponderosa Parkway

  24. 24

    Turn left onto East Route 66

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Route 66

  25. 25

    Continue on East Historic Route 66

    1002 ft · 23 sec · East Historic Route 66

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Historic Route 66

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Thatcher and Flagstaff.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
86.1 mi · 35%
Globe-Show Low Highway
83.4 mi · 34%
East Center Street
66.5 mi · 27%
Show Low-Holbrook Highway
37.1 mi · 15%
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
4.69 mi · 2%
North Penrod Road
3.55 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Purple Heart Trail

Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

86.1 mi · 01h 27m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 43m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+53.3 mi
195.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pinetop-Lakeside
02h 21m from Thatcher
Leave By
7:34 AM MST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Thatcher and Mostly Sunny near Flagstaff.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Thatcher to Flagstaff?

The road trip is about 248.4 miles (399.7 km) and usually takes 04h 43m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Pinetop-Lakeside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148 miles from Thatcher and 100.3 miles from Flagstaff.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 195.1 miles (314 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.3 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 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 AM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.37 one way or $86.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thatcher and Mostly Sunny near Flagstaff.

Stop Ideas Near Pinetop-Lakeside

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Pinetop-Lakeside, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pinetop-Lakeside.

RAIL

Winslow

118 mi away
501 East Second Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Thatcher and Flagstaff. Straight-line distance: 195.12 mi (314.02 km).

Thatcher

#1 Thatcher

Town in Graham County, Arizona, United States

Population5,264
Coordinates32.8492300, -109.7592500
Altitude887
CountryUnited States
Flagstaff

#2 Flagstaff

The most populous city in Coconino County, Arizona.

Population73,939
Coordinates35.1980700, -111.6512700
Altitude2104
CountryUnited States
Start: US 70 (-109.759251, 32.849133)
End: US 180 (-111.651222, 35.198174)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 400 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.76 gal
33.17 L · about $43.37
Round trip
$86.74
17.52 gal · 66.34 L
Estimated CO2
77.9 kg one way
Round trip: 155.7 kg / 343 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $43.37 $86.74
Mid-grade $5.34 $46.76 $93.52
Premium $5.57 $48.76 $97.52
Diesel $6.37 $55.77 $111.53

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Thatcher and Flagstaff. The current time is 12:50:21.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.