Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Yuma, AZ

Drive Time

3h 29m

Distance

185.8 mi

299 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 17m ★

6 AM

3h 29m

8 AM

3h 54m

10 AM

3h 38m

12 PM

3h 36m

3 PM

3h 39m

5 PM

3h 53m

8 PM

3h 22m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Phoenix, AZ

Carter Marchant

Yuma, AZ

cottonbro studio

Trip Overview

Traveling from Phoenix to Yuma covers 186.3 miles of the Desert Southwest, typically taking about 2 hours and 50 minutes of driving time. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of local streets like North 7th Avenue before transitioning onto the Papago Freeway and I-10 West. Budget approximately $36 for fuel to cover the journey between these two Arizona hubs. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this route is straightforward and efficient for those looking to traverse the desert landscape quickly.

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

92.9 miles from Phoenix, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that requires your full attention as you navigate out of the Phoenix metro area. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a significant amount of local maneuvering rather than long, uninterrupted highway stretches. In fact, your longest stretch of driving occurs on North 7th Avenue, meaning you should be prepared for frequent transitions and varying traffic patterns. The road personality shifts from dense urban navigation to the open desert environment, keeping the experience dynamic. Since the highway share is 0 percent, you will spend your time navigating local infrastructure rather than cruising at high speed for long durations.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 22 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?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 North 7th Avenue.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 185.8 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 (North 7th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | North 7th Avenue

Turn right onto North 7th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 10 West: Los Angeles

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles

1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 10 / Papago Freeway

Merge onto I 10 / Papago Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

32.7 mi into trip | ~38m 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

184.5 mi into trip | ~3h 26m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Yuma, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward San Diego along the way.

San Diego

32.7 mi in | ~38m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway	113.8 mi	1h 57m
Arizona State Highway 85	28.5 mi	33m
Papago Freeway	19 mi	21m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway	11.9 mi	12m
South Oglesby Road	3.6 mi	5m
East Pima Street	2.4 mi	5m
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway	1.6 mi	2m
Harold C Giss Parkway	1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Blue Star Memorial Highway — 113.8 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Yuma, AZ.

Start on West Washington Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Washington Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn right onto North 7th Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · North 7th Avenue

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 10

19 mi · 21 min · Papago Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

12 mi · 12 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 2 min

Exit 112 Toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on AZ 85

3.6 mi · 5 min · South Oglesby Road

Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist

1.0 mi · 1 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway

Continue on AZ 85

28 mi · 33 min · Arizona State Highway 85

Take the exit onto AZ 85

0.6 mi · 1 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway

Toward AZ-85 South: Gila Bend

Continue on AZ 85

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Arizona State Highway 85

Continue on AZ 85

2.4 mi · 5 min · East Pima Street

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

Merge onto I 8

114 mi · 1 hr 57 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward Giss Parkway

Keep slight left at fork

189 ft · 4 sec

Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway

251 ft · 4 sec · Harold C Giss Parkway

Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway

0.6 mi · 1 min · Harold C Giss Parkway

Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway

120 ft · 2 sec · Harold C Giss Parkway

Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Harold C Giss Parkway

Turn right onto I 8 BUS; US 80 Hist

0.3 mi · 35 sec · South 4th Avenue

Arrive at destination

I 8 BUS

Trip Plan

Planning your departure is simple since the total duration is under three hours, giving you plenty of flexibility to leave whenever it suits your schedule. You should aim to pace yourself with at least one planned stop to break up the turn-heavy nature of the drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial local segments to ensure you are ready for the longer stretches ahead. Because this route involves navigating local roads rather than high-speed interstates, allow for extra time if you are traveling during peak commute hours. A helpful tip for this specific journey is to map out your exit from Phoenix carefully, as the reliance on local streets like North 7th Avenue makes navigation slightly more involved than a standard highway route.

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 92.9 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 1h 52m 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 80 miles or 1h 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 92.9 miles or 1h 52m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 53m

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 Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, AZ

This is one driving day of about 185.8 miles and 3h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Phoenix, 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 92.9 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 1h 52m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Buckeye, AZ

93 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

Buckeye, 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 92.9 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Blue Star Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.8 miles.

Arriving in Yuma, AZ

The final approach into Yuma, 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 Yuma, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.98 one way

$73.95 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$39.05	$78.09
premium	$5.59	$40.87	$81.74
diesel	$5.64	$41.28	$82.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	55.7	$19.51	$8.92
Efficient EV	46.5	$16.26	$7.43
EV Truck/SUV	74.3	$26.01	$11.89

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Phoenix, AZ

Evening in Phoenix on Sunday

Local time

5:49 PM

MST

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Yuma, AZ

Evening in Yuma on Sunday

Local time

5:49 PM

MST

Current temp

59°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

2 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

3h 29m 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 Phoenix, AZ to Yuma, AZ covers 185.8 miles and takes about 3h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Blue Star Memorial Highway, Arizona State Highway 85, Papago Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 92.9 miles from Phoenix, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.98 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.

On the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Yuma, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward San Diego along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Yuma, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

185.9 mi 3h 30m

Explore more options from Phoenix, AZ or browse trips ending in Yuma, AZ.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.

Explore maps for Phoenix, AZ or Yuma, AZ on MapSof.net.

Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Yuma, AZ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Yuma, AZ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Phoenix, AZ

Yuma, AZ

Same local time

2 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 29m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Yuma, AZ

More from Phoenix, AZ

More trips to Yuma, AZ