The Drive from Phoenix to Lakeside, AZ: Route, Time, and Tips

The drive from Phoenix to Lakeside, Arizona takes about 3 to 3.5 hours and covers roughly 185 miles. You'll head east and north on US-60 through Globe, wind down and up through the Salt River Canyon (the scenic highlight), then follow AZ-260 through Show Low into Lakeside. It's a mostly-highway drive with no white-knuckle mountain passes in summer, and it's honestly one of the prettier road trips in the state.

The Route in Plain English

Out of the Phoenix metro, you'll get on US-60 heading east through the far East Valley — Mesa, Apache Junction — and then out into open country. The road climbs steadily as you go, trading saguaros for high desert and eventually pine.

Your first real landmark is Globe, an old copper-mining town about halfway. This is the spot to top off gas, grab food, and hit a restroom. After Globe, the road keeps climbing toward the canyon.

Then comes the Salt River Canyon, the part people remember. US-60 drops down into a deep canyon, crosses the Salt River at the bottom, and climbs back out the other side. There's a pullout near the bottom where you can stop, stretch, and take in the view — worth it. The road is well-engineered and paved the whole way, just curvy through the canyon, so take it easy and enjoy it.

After you climb out of the canyon, the country opens up into pine forest as you approach Show Low. From there you pick up AZ-260 southeast, and it's a short, easy run through Pinetop-Lakeside. Your cabin is just off that stretch.

Where to Stop for Gas and Food

You don't need to overthink this, but a couple of smart stops make the drive smoother:

• Globe (about halfway): the best mid-trip stop for gas, fast food, and restrooms. Fill up here so you're not watching the gauge through the canyon.
• Show Low (near the end): full services — this is your big supply town. More on groceries below.

Between Globe and Show Low there's a long, beautiful, mostly empty stretch, so don't roll into the canyon on a quarter tank.

Grab Groceries in Show Low

Here's a tip that saves every group a headache: do your grocery run in Show Low before you get to the cabin. Show Low has a Safeway and a Walmart, and it's only about 10 minutes from Lakeside. Once you're settled at the cabin with a big crew, nobody wants to drive back out for the stuff you forgot, so knock out the shopping on the way in. If you're feeding a family reunion-sized crowd, this one stop is the difference between a smooth arrival and three separate supply runs.

Cell Service and Winter Driving

Two honest heads-ups:

Cell service gets spotty in the canyon and along some open stretches between Globe and Show Low. Download your directions or music before you leave the metro so a dead zone doesn't leave you guessing. It's not remote wilderness, but don't count on streaming the whole way.

Winter changes the drive. In summer this is an easy, worry-free trip — no scary passes, good pavement. But from about December through February, snow and ice can hit the higher elevations near Show Low and Lakeside, and the canyon can get slick. If you're coming up in winter, check the forecast and ADOT road conditions before you leave, carry chains or drive something with decent traction, and give yourself extra time. Plenty of families make the winter drive every year; you just want to do it with your eyes open.

Is the Drive Hard? Not Really.

If the twisty canyon has you nervous, relax. It's a maintained state highway, driven by everyone from RVs to minivans full of kids, and the curves are gentle compared to what "mountain canyon" might make you picture. Take the canyon at a reasonable speed, use the pullouts, and it's genuinely enjoyable. The reward at the end is trading triple-digit heat for cool pine air. For more on which season to make the drive, see our guide to the best time to visit the White Mountains.

Common Questions

How long is the drive from Phoenix to Lakeside, AZ?

Plan on about 3 to 3.5 hours for roughly 185 miles, driving up US-60 through Globe and the Salt River Canyon to Show Low, then AZ-260 to Lakeside. Add time for a gas stop, a canyon photo, and your Show Low grocery run.

Is the Salt River Canyon drive dangerous?

No, not in normal conditions. It's a paved, well-maintained highway with guardrails and pullouts. It's curvy through the canyon, so slow down and stay in your lane, but there are no unpaved sections or high-altitude passes to worry about in summer. Winter ice is the main thing to watch for.

Where should I buy groceries on the way?

Show Low, about 10 minutes before Lakeside. It has a Safeway and a Walmart, so shop there on your way in and you won't have to backtrack once you're at the cabin.

Ready to Make the Trip?

The drive up is the easy part — the hard part is getting a summer weekend before it's gone. Take a look at Parkway Lodge and Mohave Cabin with Treehouse, then check availability for your dates. Questions about the route or directions to the cabin? Call or text us anytime, and we'll get you booked directly.