Commute time...distance between Prescott & Phoenix (Peoria, Wickenburg: travel, work)

[Ladywithafan]

My boyfriend says it's a 40 minute drive from Prescott to Phoenix?

I googled the distance & find the two to be 75 miles apart...

who's right?

[Gretchen B]

Well . . . it takes a little longer than that. I live on the SE edge of the area, close to hwy 69. It takes me about 1-1/2 hrs to the Phx airport. Alot depends on the traffic, too. 4:00 in the morning and it might take just a little over an hour. In rush hour traffic and not being able to use the HOV lane and it might take closer to 2 hrs.

Believe it or not, though, we actually have quite a few folks up here who commute to Phx every day for work. The pay scale is higher down in Phx. However, I'm surprised with the price of gas now that it's really worth it.

[brian_2]

The general disregard for speed limits on I-17 make 40 minutes plausible (depending on your destination in Phoenix). It's usually clear sailing till just north of Anthem, and then slowdowns from roadwork and/or accidents are a possibility. Generally, under an hour is easily doable without breaking the law - I get from the courthouse square in Prescott to the Metro Center in Phoenix in about 40 minutes. Sky Harbor Airport drives will take you longer than that.

[sablebaby]

I can't believe anyone can make it in 40 minutes. Heck, that's how long my commute is. There are major traffic issues north of the 101 all the way up to Anthem (and going south!). It can be at a standstill, and it's usually not just from accidents and construction. I also have known many people who commute up to Prescott to work at the casinos.

The last time I went it took an hour and twenty minutes, and that was in the middle of the day (and I drive fast).

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by sablebaby

I can't believe anyone can make it in 40 minutes. Heck, that's how long my commute is. There are major traffic issues north of the 101 all the way up to Anthem (and going south!). It can be at a standstill, and it's usually not just from accidents and construction. I also have known many people who commute up to Prescott to work at the casinos.

The last time I went it took an hour and twenty minutes, and that was in the middle of the day (and I drive fast).

I'm with you. It takes 20 minutes just to get from Anthem to the 101 on a good day. It's well over an hour from the north part of Phoenix into Prescott. I-17 has been a commuting nightmare 20 years and it just gets worse with every new home on the north side. It's been several years since I can remember a time when the cars weren't bumper to bumper from about Carefree Highway to the 101.

[Ladywithafan]

Is there a part of Prescott that goes under that zip but is not reall "Prescott"...that would put one in the 40 minute drive zone perhaps?

[CodyW]

Hmm. Mapquest says the distance from CENTRAL Prescott to Downtown Phoenix is 100.78 Miles, and would take almost two hours if you took the 17.

I was wondering about the back route, thinking it might be quicker. (For those wondering, thats taking Montezuma Street to AZ89S to the 93, taking the 93 to Wickenburg and then the 60 into Phoenix. Sounds good? Less traveled roads, I'm sure. But it adds 13 miles (and another half hour) to your Journey.

[brian_2]

"I can't believe anyone can make it in 40 minutes."

Sorry, you all are right. A big mea culpa on my part.

What I should have said is that once I get onto I-17S from Prescott, it takes me around 40 minutes to hit the Peoria exit if no slowdowns enroute. The Peoria exit is where I exit for the Metro Center.

Need to get my thoughts in order before I save my post(s). I apologize for the confusion and stand corrected.

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by Ladywithafan

Is there a part of Prescott that goes under that zip but is not reall "Prescott"...that would put one in the 40 minute drive zone perhaps?

Try 86327 - that's Prescott Country Club (which is actually Dewey). And trust me, there "ain't" no way you're getting any closer than Anthem or possibly the Carefree Hwy in 35-40 minutes. And that's at 75+++. The real time cruncher, though, is once you hit Carefree Hwy (or Happy Valley on a good day). How far into Phx do you need to go? During rush hour?

As far as the other suggestion to go thru Wickenburg - if you've driven that road it's hairpin turns all the way from Prescott to Wilhoit/Yarnell. It's pretty, but it's not fast! An alternative route through Skull Valley is faster but tacks on an additional 10? miles. It's 2-lane pretty much all the way to Wickenburg.

[Ladywithafan]

Originally Posted by Gretchen B

Try 86327 - that's Prescott Country Club (which is actually Dewey). And trust me, there "ain't" no way you're getting any closer than Anthem or possibly the Carefree Hwy in 35-40 minutes. And that's at 75+++. The real time cruncher, though, is once you hit Carefree Hwy (or Happy Valley on a good day). How far into Phx do you need to go? During rush hour?

As far as the other suggestion to go thru Wickenburg - if you've driven that road it's hairpin turns all the way from Prescott to Wilhoit/Yarnell. It's pretty, but it's not fast! An alternative route through Skull Valley is faster but tacks on an additional 10? miles. It's 2-lane pretty much all the way to Wickenburg.

My boyfriend was thinking about moving to prescott & working in phoenix....but he's not there yet, so I have no idea "where" in Phoenix...we were just thinking about logistics at the moment but it seems to me like too many miles & too much time to live that far away!