DriveCosts

Road trip cost

How Much Does It Cost to Drive From Boulder to Phoenix?

At 695 miles and roughly 11 hr 12 min of driving, the route from Boulder, CO to Phoenix, AZ is a long-haul trip. Budget for multiple fuel stops, food, and possibly an overnight stay — gas alone can run well over a hundred dollars depending on your vehicle.

Long-haulLong haul
  • Updated for 2026
  • US avg fuel prices
  • EPA-style MPG
  • EV rates vary by state
  • US units
Distance

695 mi

Driving time

11 hr 12 min

Fuel stops

1

EV charges

3

Route overview695 mi

1 suggested fuel stop

Key takeaway

Plan on about $86 in gas one-way in a 28 MPG sedan, with 1 fuel stop and roughly 11 hr 12 min behind the wheel.

Drive intensity

Long-haul

Consider an overnight stop.

Estimate your trip cost

Pre-filled with the Boulder → Phoenix distance.

miles
mpg
$/gal

Estimated Trip Cost

$0.00

Per Person

$0.00

Gallons

0.00gal

Total miles: 695 (one way).

How we estimate this trip

Distance
Great-circle distance between city centers × 1.18 road factor, rounded to whole miles.
Fuel cost formula
(miles ÷ MPG) × price per gallon, computed one-way unless noted.
Gas price assumption
Recent US average retail regular gas (AAA-style baseline).
EV charging assumption
Combined MPGe with average US residential electricity rate.
Tolls & weather
Not included — add manually for I-95, I-90 and mountain routes.
Driving time
Estimated at typical highway average speeds; excludes long breaks.

Sources & assumptions

  • EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
  • U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
  • AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
  • EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.

We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.

Fuel cost by vehicle type

Estimated one-way fuel cost at $3.45/gal (US average). Adjust for your local price.

Compact car· 35 MPG · 19.9 gal$68.51
Sedan· 28 MPG · 24.8 gal$85.63
SUV· 22 MPG · 31.6 gal$108.99
Pickup truck· 18 MPG · 38.6 gal$133.21

Cost at different gas prices

Assuming a 28 MPG sedan over the 695-mile route.

Gas at $3.15/gal

$78.19

one way · ~24.8 gal

Gas at $3.45/gal

$85.63

one way · ~24.8 gal

Gas at $3.85/gal

$95.56

one way · ~24.8 gal

Fuel & charging stops

1 fuel stop one-way

A typical 28 MPG sedan with a 12.5-gallon tank covers about 350 miles per fill-up. Plan 1 stop along the way and fuel up before any remote stretches.

3 DC fast-charges for most EVs

Assuming a realistic 230-mile highway range, plan 3 DC fast-charging stops. Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America have strong coverage on most US corridors.

Halfway stop suggestion

Midpoint

Santa Fe, NM

Roughly halfway between Boulder and Phoenix. A natural place to fuel up, grab a meal, swap drivers, or stop overnight on longer drives.

Route personality

Long-distance interstate driveScenic mountain driveOvernight-friendly

Mountain West driving context

  • Mountain passes can require chains or AWD from November through April — check CDOT/UDOT before departure.
  • Elevation gain reduces gas MPG and EV range by 10–20% on climbs; you recover some on descents.
  • Cell coverage drops in canyons — download offline maps before you go.

City insights

Boulder, CO

  • Boulder's elevation can shorten EV range and lower gas MPG on the way in.

Phoenix, AZ

  • Phoenix traffic is heaviest 7–9 am and 4–7 pm — time your arrival around it.
  • Government and event-day closures around downtown Phoenix can reroute traffic.
  • Limited shade and long distances between services around Phoenix — fuel up before leaving.

Best stops along the way

  • Santa Fe, NM sits near the midpoint — natural fuel, food and restroom stop.
  • Pick a sit-down meal stop around the 2.5-hour mark to reset focus and avoid drive-thru fatigue.
  • Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America hubs cluster around major interchanges — easy 20-min top-ups.
  • Mountain pass viewpoints make great photo stops — but check brakes before long descents.

Seasonal notes

Winter

Snow, ice and chain-control zones from late November through March — carry an emergency kit.

Summer

Desert highs over 110°F stress engines, tires and EV batteries — drive early or late, never midday.

Recommendations for this route

  • AWD or all-terrain tires help in winter; check brake pads before long descents.
  • Split the drive across a meal stop or overnight — fatigue starts hurting reaction time after 5 hours.
  • Run tires at the door-jamb PSI and pre-cool the cabin with AC on low — both add 1–3 MPG.

Is it cheaper to fly or drive?

For one or two people, driving usually wins on cost. Solo travelers with no luggage may find a budget flight cheaper once you add parking and meals.

A one-way drive uses about $86 in gas (28 MPG, $3.45/gal). A typical short domestic flight costs $80–$220 per person plus $30–$60/day for airport parking and any baggage fees.

Weather & best time

October through April is most comfortable. Summer driving means extreme heat and higher AC fuel use.

  • • Summer highs over 100°F across the desert — drive early morning or after sunset and carry extra water.
  • • Mountain passes can see snow or ice from November through April — check road conditions before you leave.

Tolls

Mostly toll-free — you can drive this without a transponder.

Best vehicle

Comfort matters more than MPG on this distance. A larger sedan, hybrid SUV, or full-size SUV for families works well.

Driving difficulty

Long-haul · 11 hr 12 min

Very high — strongly consider an overnight stop rather than pushing through in a single day.

Overnight stop recommended

At 11 hr 12 min of driving, splitting the trip across two days is safer and more enjoyable. Budget hotels along the route typically run $70–$130/night.

About the drive from Boulder to Phoenix

This 695-mile route between Boulder, CO and Phoenix, AZ is a popular drive in the region. Expect roughly 11 hr 12 min behind the wheel under normal traffic conditions.

Fuel-saving tips

  • Keep your speed near 65 mph — fuel economy drops sharply above 70.
  • Fill up before mountain or desert stretches; remote stations charge a premium.
  • Use GasBuddy or AAA to spot cheap stations along your route before you leave.
  • Use cruise control on flat sections only — long climbs benefit from light, steady throttle.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to drive from Boulder to Phoenix?

The drive is about 695 miles and takes roughly 11 hr 12 min under normal traffic. Add buffer for stops, construction, and rush hour around either city.

How much gas does the trip use?

In a 28 MPG sedan, expect about 24.8 gallons one way. A 22 MPG SUV would use roughly 31.6 gallons.

What's the typical fuel cost?

At the US average of $3.45/gal, a 28 MPG vehicle costs about $85.63 one way. Round trip roughly doubles that. Use the calculator above for your exact MPG and local gas price.

How many fuel or charging stops will I need?

A typical gas sedan needs about 1 fuel stop one way. A modern EV with ~230 miles of highway range needs about 3 DC fast-charges.

Is it cheaper to drive or fly from Boulder to Phoenix?

For one or two people, driving usually wins on cost. Solo travelers with no luggage may find a budget flight cheaper once you add parking and meals.

What's the best time of year to drive this route?

October through April is most comfortable. Summer driving means extreme heat and higher AC fuel use.

Where's a good halfway stop?

Santa Fe, NM is roughly halfway and makes a natural fuel, food, or overnight break.

Best vehicles for this route

Estimated 695-mile fuel cost for each pick at average US prices. Tap any vehicle for a full cost breakdown.

Cheapest to drive

Toyota Prius

57 MPG · hybrid

~$42

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best EV

Lucid Air

134 MPGe · ev

~$28

est. one-way charging cost

See full breakdown

Best sedan

Hyundai Elantra

37 MPG · sedan

~$65

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best SUV for comfort

Nissan Rogue

33 MPG · suv

~$73

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Best truck for cargo

Ford Maverick

26 MPG · truck

~$92

est. one-way fuel cost

See full breakdown

Related routes

More routes like Boulder to Phoenix

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Reverse drive

Phoenix to Boulder driving cost

695 mi · 11.2 h

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