Payson is the quickest mountain getaway from the Valley: about 90 miles up SR-87, the Beeline Highway, which usually runs somewhere between 90 minutes and two hours depending on who else had the same idea.
The Beeline climb
SR-87 leaves the East Valley near Fountain Hills and climbs steadily through the Mazatzal foothills, crossing the Salt River country before leveling out into Rim Country. It is a divided highway for most of the run, with a few stretches where trucks and campers slow the uphill lane. The payoff is real: Payson sits at about 5,000 feet, so summer temperatures are routinely far below the desert floor.
Timing the drive
Weekday mornings are the cleanest window. The highway loads up on Friday afternoons in summer, on holiday weekends, and any time the Rim is in season. Winter brings a different variable — snow and ice on the higher stretches above Payson, with plowed but slick conditions after a storm.
Payson as a jumping-off point
Payson is where SR-87 meets SR-260, which makes it the hub for the whole Rim Country. Tonto Natural Bridge State Park sits just north of town, and SR-260 east leads deeper into the forest toward Christopher Creek and on to the White Mountains. Travelers heading that way should look at the Show Low shuttle page for the second half of the drive.
Getting there without driving
If you would rather not handle the climb after a flight, a Payson shuttle covers the SR-87 route from Sky Harbor. Nearby options are listed on the Phoenix shuttle service and Mesa shuttle pages, and the Verde Valley side of the region is on the Camp Verde shuttle page.
Frequently asked questions
How many miles is Phoenix to Payson?
About 90 miles via SR-87, the Beeline Highway.
How long does the drive from Phoenix to Payson take?
Between 90 minutes and two hours in normal conditions, longer on summer Friday afternoons and holiday weekends.
Does it snow in Payson?
It can. Payson and the higher Rim Country stretches see winter snow, and SR-87 can run slick after a storm.
