Origin
Cordes Lakes, AZ
Night in Cordes Lakes on Thursday
Local time
11:00 PM
MST
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cordes Lakes, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 25m
Distance
74.1 mi
119 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 19m
★
6 AM
1h 26m
8 AM
1h 39m
10 AM
1h 30m
12 PM
1h 29m
3 PM
1h 31m
5 PM
1h 38m
8 PM
1h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cordes Lakes, AZ
Emilio Sánchez Hernández
Scottsdale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a journey from Cordes Lakes to Scottsdale, AZ, you'll cover 74.1 miles in approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes. This drive, primarily utilizing the Pima Freeway, Black Canyon Freeway, and Arizona Veterans Highway, is well-suited as a single-day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $15. The route traverses the Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward travel experience. With no designated stops in the data, you'll have the flexibility to manage your own breaks. This trip presents a convenient option for a relatively short, direct drive between two points within Arizona.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 25m. Total distance: 74.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 57% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 21.8 miles on the Pima Freeway, suggesting periods of sustained highway travel. The profile is described as a 'Mixed drive,' indicating a blend of faster-paced freeway sections and potentially some varied road conditions as you approach your destination. Expect a dynamic drive that keeps you engaged without being overly demanding, transitioning from open highway to more urban approaches.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pima Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 21.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 49.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 49.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.2 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
49.7 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 214C
Toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
7
50.1 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward AZ 101 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop East
5
51.2 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
73 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward Chaparral Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward Chaparral Road
5
73.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
East Chaparral Road
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pima Freeway | 21.8 mi | 25m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 20.7 mi | 22m |
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 17.1 mi | 17m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 5.8 mi | 5m |
| North Black Canyon Highway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| East Stagecoach Trail | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| East Chaparral Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Black Mountain Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pima Freeway
— 21.8 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cordes Lakes, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on East Ash Creek Road
137 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Ash Creek Road
2
Turn right onto South Black Mountain Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Black Mountain Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto East Stagecoach Trail
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Stagecoach Trail
4
Turn left onto Arcosanti Road
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Arcosanti Road
5
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
6
Merge onto I 17
17 mi
·
17 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
7
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 214C
Toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward AZ 101 Loop East
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 46
Toward Chaparral Road
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn left
64 ft
·
4 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37 mi from Cordes Lakes, AZ · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37 miles from Cordes Lakes, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Scottsdale, AZ
The final approach into Scottsdale, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.76 one way
$29.52 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $15.62 | $31.24 |
| premium | $5.59 | $16.31 | $32.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.36 | $32.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$15
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.78 | $3.56 |
| Efficient EV | 18.5 | 0 | $6.48 | $2.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.37 | $4.74 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Scottsdale, AZ
Night in Scottsdale on Thursday
Local time
11:00 PM
MST
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 25m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cordes Lakes, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ covers 74.1 miles and takes about 1h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pima Freeway, Black Canyon Freeway, Arizona Veterans Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37 miles from Cordes Lakes, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.76 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 49.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.2 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cordes Lakes, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Montezuma Castle National Monument.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Scottsdale, AZ
More from Cordes Lakes, AZ
More trips to Scottsdale, AZ
Explore more options from Cordes Lakes, AZ or browse trips ending in Scottsdale, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.