The drive from New River, AZ to Yuma, AZ covers 210.6 miles and takes about 3h 57m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Blue Star Memorial Highway, Bob Stump Memorial Parkway, Arizona State Highway 85 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 113.8 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.95 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
105.3 miles from New River, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 210.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
The drive from New River, AZ to Yuma, AZ covers 210.6 miles and takes about 3h 57m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Blue Star Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 113.8 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 0.5 miles in near I-17 Frontage Road.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 210.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (I-17 Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|I-17 Frontage Road
At end of road, turn left onto I-17 Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I-17 South: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-17 South: Phoenix
7
10.7 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward AZ 303 Loop South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 221
Toward AZ 303 Loop South
7
45.9 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 104B
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
8
57.5 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 112
Toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from New River, AZ to Yuma, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward San Diego along the way.
San Diego
57.5 mi in|~1h 6m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
113.8 mi
1h 57m
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
32.2 mi
37m
Arizona State Highway 85
28.5 mi
33m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
10.5 mi
11m
Black Canyon Freeway
6.1 mi
6m
South Oglesby Road
3.6 mi
5m
North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi
3m
East Pima Street
2.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 113.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New River, AZ and Yuma, AZ.
1
Start on North Kelley Road
0.2 mi·41 sec·North Kelley Road
2
Turn left onto West New River Road
0.3 mi·40 sec·West New River Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto I-17 Frontage Road
0.3 mi·30 sec·I-17 Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto New River Road
0.3 mi·44 sec·New River Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I-17 South: PhoenixUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 17
2.7 mi·2 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 17
3.4 mi·3 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 221Toward AZ 303 Loop SouthUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto AZ 303 Loop
0.6 mi·1 min·AZ 303 Loop
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·45 sec
12
Continue on this road
411 ft·7 sec·this road
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·21 sec
14
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
0.2 mi·12 sec·Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·47 sec
16
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·19 sec·this road
17
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
32 mi·36 min·Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 104BToward I 10 West: Los AngelesUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 10
11 mi·11 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 112Toward AZ 85: Yuma, San DiegoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on AZ 85
3.6 mi·5 min·South Oglesby Road
22
Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist
1.0 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
23
Continue on AZ 85
28 mi·33 min·Arizona State Highway 85
24
Take the exit onto AZ 85
0.6 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Toward AZ-85 South: Gila Bend
25
Continue on AZ 85
0.3 mi·43 sec·Arizona State Highway 85
26
Continue on AZ 85
2.4 mi·5 min·East Pima Street
27
Take the exit onto I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 8 West: San Diego
28
Merge onto I 8
114 mi·1 hr 57 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Giss Parkway
30
Keep slight left at fork
189 ft·4 sec
31
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
251 ft·4 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
32
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Harold C Giss Parkway
33
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
120 ft·2 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
34
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.3 mi·36 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
35
Turn right onto I 8 BUS; US 80 Hist
0.3 mi·35 sec·South 4th Avenue
36
Arrive at destination
I 8 BUS
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 105.3 miles from New River, AZ, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.8 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 46 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.3 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yuma, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New River, 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 New River, AZ
This is one driving day of about 210.6 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from New River, 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 Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 113.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105.3 mi from New River, AZ
· 2h 7m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.95 one way
$83.91 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$44.40
$88.80
premium
$5.59
$46.36
$92.71
diesel
$5.61
$46.50
$93.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.2
0
$22.11
$10.11
Efficient EV
52.7
0
$18.43
$8.42
EV Truck/SUV
84.2
1
$29.48
$13.48
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
New River, AZ
Morning
in New River on Friday
Local time
7:00 AM
MST
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yuma, AZ
Morning
in Yuma on Friday
Local time
7:00 AM
MST
Current temp
87°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
1 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
3h 57m 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 New River, AZ to Yuma, AZ covers 210.6 miles and takes about 3h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Blue Star Memorial Highway, Bob Stump Memorial Parkway, Arizona State Highway 85. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 105.3 miles from New River, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.95 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 210.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (I-17 Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from New River, AZ to Yuma, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward San Diego along the way.
