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Trip from Lake Havasu City, AZ to Catalina Foothills, AZ

Drive Time

5h 47m

Distance

314.2 mi

506 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 34m ★
6 AM
5h 47m
8 AM
6h 14m
10 AM
5h 56m
12 PM
5h 54m
3 PM
5h 58m
5 PM
6h 12m
8 PM
5h 39m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lake Havasu City, AZ, AZ

Lake Havasu City, AZ

Smallz !

Downtown Catalina Foothills, AZ, AZ

Catalina Foothills, AZ

Mark Direen

Trip Overview

The drive from Lake Havasu City, AZ to Catalina Foothills, AZ covers 314.2 miles and takes about 5h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway, Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 104.7 miles on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $62.53 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

157.1 miles from Lake Havasu City, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 47m drive with frequent turns across 314.2 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 104.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North Acoma Boulevard.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 314.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.2 miles (North Acoma Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (AZ 95 / Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 203.2 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Acoma Boulevard

Turn left onto North Acoma Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
3.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | AZ 95 / Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway

Turn left onto AZ 95 / Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
203.2 mi into trip | ~3h 45m in | I 10 / Papago Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
304.5 mi into trip | ~5h 29m in

Take the exit toward Orange Grove Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 250 Toward Orange Grove Road
6
305.3 mi into trip | ~5h 31m in | West River Road

Turn right onto West River Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway 104.7 mi 1h 45m
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway 54.6 mi 1h 3m
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway 50 mi 50m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway 37.8 mi 38m
Papago Freeway 24.2 mi 27m
Maricopa Freeway 12.3 mi 14m
Riverside Drive 7.1 mi 8m
West River Road 5.2 mi 8m
Longest stretch: Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway — 104.7 mi, about 1h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Havasu City, AZ and Catalina Foothills, AZ.

1

Start on Mescal Loop

51 ft · 7 sec · Mescal Loop
2

Turn left onto Smoketree Avenue North

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Smoketree Avenue North
3

Turn left onto North Acoma Boulevard

3.1 mi · 5 min · North Acoma Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Turn left onto AZ 95

17 mi · 20 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
Use the left lane.
5

Continue on AZ 95

7.1 mi · 8 min · Riverside Drive
6

Turn straight onto AZ 95

6.6 mi · 7 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
7

Continue on AZ 95

4.4 mi · 5 min · Rio Vista Highway
8

Turn left onto AZ 95

0.9 mi · 1 min · California Avenue
9

Continue on AZ 95

11 mi · 13 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
10

Continue on AZ 95

20 mi · 22 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
11

Continue on AZ 95

3.1 mi · 3 min · North Central Boulevard
12

Turn left onto I 10 BUS

1.0 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
13

Turn right onto I 10 Bus

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Riggles Road
14

Take the ramp onto I 10 Business

0.5 mi · 1 min · I 10 Business
15

Merge onto I 10

105 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 10

20 mi · 22 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
18

Continue on I 10

3.2 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Merge onto I 10; US 60

12 mi · 14 min · Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Continue on I 10

38 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on I 10

50 mi · 50 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 250 Toward Orange Grove Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Turn straight onto North Casa Grande Highway

0.1 mi · 13 sec · North Casa Grande Highway
25

Turn left onto West Orange Grove Road

0.4 mi · 47 sec · West Orange Grove Road
26

Turn right onto West River Road

5.2 mi · 8 min · West River Road
Use the left lane.
27

Continue on East River Road

2.5 mi · 4 min · East River Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
28

Turn left onto North Hacienda del Sol Road

1.3 mi · 3 min · North Hacienda del Sol Road
Use the left lane.
29

Arrive at destination

North Hacienda del Sol Road

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 157.1 miles from Lake Havasu City, AZ, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 37m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 157.1 miles or 2h 55m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catalina Foothills, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lake Havasu City, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lake Havasu City, AZ

This is one driving day of about 314.2 miles and 5h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lake Havasu City, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 104.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 157.1 mi from Lake Havasu City, AZ · 2h 55m into the drive

Downtown Buckeye, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Buckeye, AZ

157 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.

Popular next leg

Buckeye, AZ to Catalina Foothills, AZ

149.5 mi · 2h 49m

Pacing Suggestions

Yuma, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Buckeye, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 157.1 miles from Lake Havasu City, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.7 miles.

Arriving in Catalina Foothills, AZ

The final approach into Catalina Foothills, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Catalina Foothills, AZ.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park

National Park

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour $25 near mile 314.2
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
View on nps.gov
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

National Monument

An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...

12 mi from route ~29 min detour Free near mile 249.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$62.53 one way

$125.06 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $66.03 $132.06
premium $5.59 $69.11 $138.22
diesel $5.64 $69.80 $139.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$63

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$88–$113

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 109.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 94.3 1 $32.99 $15.08
Efficient EV 78.6 0 $27.49 $12.57
EV Truck/SUV 125.7 1 $43.99 $20.11

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Lake Havasu City, AZ

Morning in Lake Havasu City on Monday

Local time

8:37 AM

MST

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Catalina Foothills, AZ

Morning in Catalina Foothills on Monday

Local time

8:37 AM

MST

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

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

10 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 47m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Lake Havasu City, AZ to Catalina Foothills, AZ covers 314.2 miles and takes about 5h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway, Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 157.1 miles from Lake Havasu City, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $62.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 314.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.2 miles (North Acoma Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (AZ 95 / Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 203.2 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lake Havasu City, AZ to Catalina Foothills, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Catalina Foothills, AZ to Lake Havasu City, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

314.2 mi 5h 46m

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