This 217-mile journey from Prescott, AZ to Yuma, AZ will take approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes of driving time. Designed as a single-day trip, it covers ground primarily on the San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway, Quartzsite–Wickenburg Highway, and Wickenburg-Prescott Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, this drive is a budget-friendly option for exploring the Desert Southwest. The route offers a local feel, making it a straightforward drive between these two Arizona cities. You'll find one recommended stop along the way, and the longest stretch without a major turn is 66.4 miles.
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
108.5 miles from Prescott, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 217 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with a 100% highway share meaning you'll be on established roads for the entire trip. The personality of the drive shifts as you transition between the Wickenburg-Prescott Highway, Quartzsite–Wickenburg Highway, and the San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 66.4 miles, offering a period of consistent travel before encountering more frequent turns. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; rather, it's a connected series of highways that guide you through the Arizona landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 66.4 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 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 43 miles in near AZ 71 / Aguila-Congress Junction Highway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 217 miles you will encounter 17 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 43 miles (AZ 71 / Aguila-Congress Junction Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.2 miles (US 60 / Quartzsite–Wickenburg Highway): Navigation decision point; at 121.7 miles (US 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
43 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|AZ 71 / Aguila-Congress Junction Highway
Turn right onto AZ 71 / Aguila-Congress Junction Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
67.2 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|US 60 / Quartzsite–Wickenburg Highway
At end of road, turn right onto US 60 / Quartzsite–Wickenburg Highway
Navigation decision point
5
121.7 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|US 60
Take the exit onto US 60 toward I 10 West: Quartzsite, Yuma, California
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 West: Quartzsite, Yuma, California
5
132.8 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|I 10 Business
Take the exit onto I 10 Business toward US 95, AZ 95: Parker, Yuma
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 95, AZ 95: Parker, Yuma
6
134.6 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|US 95 / South Central Boulevard
Turn left onto US 95 / South Central Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
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 Prescott, AZ to Yuma, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward California along the way.
California
121.7 mi in|~2h 47m|via US 60
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway
66.4 mi
1h 21m
Quartzsite–Wickenburg Highway
54 mi
1h 4m
Wickenburg-Prescott Highway
33.9 mi
52m
Aguila-Congress Junction Highway
24.2 mi
29m
East 16th Street
10.7 mi
15m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
10.3 mi
10m
White Spar Highway
4.3 mi
9m
South Central Boulevard
2.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway
— 66.4 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prescott, AZ and Yuma, AZ.
For this 4 hour and 50 minute drive, starting in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your single planned stop. With a total of 217 miles, the longest stretch is 66.4 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially before embarking on that longer segment. The estimated fuel cost is $43, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Prescott. This route is best tackled in one day, and its local road nature means paying attention to signage and any potential changes in road conditions is key.
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 108.5 miles from Prescott, AZ, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.4 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 48 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.5 miles or 2h 32m 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 58m
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 Prescott, 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 Prescott, AZ
This is one driving day of about 217 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Prescott, 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 San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway for about 66.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.5 mi from Prescott, AZ
· 2h 32m into the drive
The midpoint is around 108.5 miles from Prescott, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.4 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.
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.
Tuzigoot National Monument
National Monument
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.23 one way
$86.46 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$45.75
$91.50
premium
$5.59
$47.77
$95.53
diesel
$5.61
$47.91
$95.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.1
0
$22.78
$10.42
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$18.99
$8.68
EV Truck/SUV
86.8
1
$30.38
$13.89
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Prescott, AZ
Late night
in Prescott on Friday
Local time
5:27 AM
MST
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yuma, AZ
Late night
in Yuma on Friday
Local time
5:27 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
43 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
4h 50m 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 Prescott, AZ to Yuma, AZ covers 217 miles and takes about 4h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway, Quartzsite–Wickenburg Highway, Wickenburg-Prescott Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 108.5 miles from Prescott, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.23 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 217 miles you will encounter 17 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 43 miles (AZ 71 / Aguila-Congress Junction Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.2 miles (US 60 / Quartzsite–Wickenburg Highway): Navigation decision point; at 121.7 miles (US 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Prescott, AZ to Yuma, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward California along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Tuzigoot National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
