Origin
Quartzsite, AZ
Evening in Quartzsite on Sunday
Local time
8:01 PM
MST
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Quartzsite, AZ to Yuma, AZ
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
83.6 mi
135 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 41m
★
6 AM
1h 49m
8 AM
2h 5m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 53m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Quartzsite, AZ
Brent Singleton
Yuma, AZ
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
Connecting the desert outposts of Quartzsite and Yuma, this 83.6-mile journey across the Arizona desert is a straightforward transit that takes approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes to complete. You will primarily navigate via the San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway before transitioning onto East 16th Street and South Central Boulevard as you approach your destination. Given the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to easily complete the drive without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting around $17 for fuel should cover your transit between these two Desert Southwest locations. It is an efficient, no-fuss connection that serves as a reliable link for travelers moving through the region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
41.8 miles from Quartzsite, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy, local-style driving experience that contrasts significantly with high-speed interstate travel. While the route consists of only 2% highway driving, you will spend the bulk of your time on the San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway, which accounts for a 66.4-mile stretch of the total distance. The road requires your full attention as you navigate these varied local roads rather than cruising along a monotonous freeway. As you make your way toward Yuma, the driving dynamics shift from open-road stretches to the more structured turns required when navigating local boulevards and streets. This is a practical, hands-on drive that demands engagement from the driver.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near US 95 / South Central Boulevard.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 49m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 95 / South Central Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 82.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 82.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 95 / South Central Boulevard
Turn right onto US 95 / South Central Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
82.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
Take the exit toward Giss Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Giss Parkway
5
82.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
82.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
|
Harold C Giss Parkway
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
83.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
I 8 BUS; US 80 Hist / South 4th Avenue
Turn right onto I 8 BUS; US 80 Hist / South 4th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway | 66.4 mi | 1h 21m |
| East 16th Street | 10.7 mi | 15m |
| South Central Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Harold C Giss Parkway | 1 mi | 1m |
| I 8 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South 4th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Oldham Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway
— 66.4 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Quartzsite, AZ and Yuma, AZ.
1
Start on Oldham Lane
41 ft
·
2 sec
·
Oldham Lane
2
Turn right onto I 10 BUS; US 95
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 95
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
South Central Boulevard
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on US 95
66 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway
5
Continue on US 95
11 mi
·
15 min
·
East 16th Street
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
7
Merge onto I 8
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 8
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Giss Parkway
9
Keep slight left at fork
189 ft
·
4 sec
10
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
251 ft
·
4 sec
·
Harold C Giss Parkway
11
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Harold C Giss Parkway
12
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
120 ft
·
2 sec
·
Harold C Giss Parkway
13
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Harold C Giss Parkway
14
Turn right onto I 8 BUS; US 80 Hist
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
South 4th Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
I 8 BUS
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever your schedule allows without worrying about complex rest stops or overnight logistics. Because the route is categorized as turn-heavy, stay alert for changes in speed limits and road directions as you move from the highway onto local streets like East 16th Street. There are no mandatory stops scheduled, but keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving Quartzsite is a smart move to stay within your $17 estimated budget. Use the shorter duration to your advantage by planning your arrival in Yuma for a time that avoids peak local traffic on the city's main thoroughfares. Focus on the 66.4-mile stretch as your primary window for steady driving before preparing for the more navigational demands of the final leg.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.8 miles from Quartzsite, AZ, or about 54m 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 80 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.8 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 30m
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 Quartzsite, 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 Quartzsite, AZ
This is one driving day of about 83.6 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Quartzsite, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
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 41.8 mi from Quartzsite, AZ · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.8 miles from Quartzsite, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.64 one way
$33.28 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $17.57 | $35.14 |
| premium | $5.59 | $18.39 | $36.78 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.57 | $37.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.78 | $4.01 |
| Efficient EV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.31 | $3.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.70 | $5.35 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Yuma, AZ
Evening in Yuma on Sunday
Local time
8:01 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 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 49m 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 Quartzsite, AZ to Yuma, AZ covers 83.6 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway, East 16th Street, South Central Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.8 miles from Quartzsite, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.64 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 is a straightforward 1h 49m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 95 / South Central Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 82.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 82.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Quartzsite, AZ to Yuma, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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