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Trip from Saint Michaels, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ

Drive Time

5h 27m

Distance

269.2 mi

433 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 14m ★
6 AM
5h 27m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 38m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 19m

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 Scottsdale, AZ, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

The drive from Saint Michaels, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ covers 269.2 miles and takes about 5h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on South Beeline Highway, Purple Heart Trail, Heber Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 72.8 miles on South Beeline Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.58 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

134.6 miles from Saint Michaels, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 5h 27m drive with frequent turns across 269.2 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Beeline Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 72.8 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 0.1 miles in near N12 / Navajo Route 12.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 5h 27m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (N12 / Navajo Route 12): Navigation decision point; at 92.8 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.3 miles (AZ 277 / West 3rd Street North): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | N12 / Navajo Route 12

Turn right onto N12 / Navajo Route 12

Navigation decision point

5
92.8 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | AZ 77

Take the exit onto AZ 77 toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South...
4
130.3 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | AZ 277 / West 3rd Street North

At end of road, turn right onto AZ 277 / West 3rd Street North

Navigation decision point

5
265.5 mi into trip | ~5h 21m in

Take the ramp toward AZ 101 Loop North

Navigation decision point

Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
268.1 mi into trip | ~5h 24m in

Take the exit toward Chaparral Road

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 46 Toward Chaparral Road

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Saint Michaels, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Heber along the way.

Heber

92.8 mi in | ~1h 42m | via AZ 77

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
South Beeline Highway 72.8 mi 1h 26m
Purple Heart Trail 69.9 mi 1h 9m
Heber Road 30.9 mi 36m
Payson-Show Low Highway 24.2 mi 30m
Navajo Route 12 22.6 mi 31m
Hwy 260 15.9 mi 22m
Payson-Heber Highway 12.7 mi 17m
West 3rd Street North 4.9 mi 6m
Longest stretch: South Beeline Highway — 72.8 mi, about 1h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Michaels, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.

1

Start on this road

0.1 mi · 33 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto N12

23 mi · 31 min · Navajo Route 12
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
4

Merge onto I 40

70 mi · 1 hr 9 min · Purple Heart Trail
5

Take the exit onto AZ 77

0.4 mi · 50 sec · AZ 77
Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber
6

Turn left onto I 40 Bus; AZ 77; US 66 Hist

1.2 mi · 2 min · Navajo Boulevard
7

Continue on US 180; AZ 77

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Holbrook-Springerville Highway
8

Continue on AZ 77

1.6 mi · 2 min · Show Low-Holbrook Highway
9

Turn right onto AZ 377

31 mi · 36 min · Heber Road
10

Turn straight onto AZ 377

2.9 mi · 3 min · Heber-Holbrook Highway
11

At end of road, turn right onto AZ 277

4.9 mi · 6 min · West 3rd Street North
12

Continue on AZ 277

1.9 mi · 3 min · Highway 277
13

At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Highway 260
14

Continue on AZ 260

16 mi · 22 min · Hwy 260
15

Continue on AZ 260

13 mi · 17 min · Payson-Heber Highway
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on AZ 260

24 mi · 30 min · Payson-Show Low Highway
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn left onto AZ 87

73 mi · 1 hr 26 min · South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto East McDowell Road

2.6 mi · 3 min · East McDowell Road
19

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
20

Merge onto AZ 101 Loop

2.3 mi · 2 min · Pima Freeway
21

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Exit 46 Toward Chaparral Road Use the slight right lane.
22

Turn left onto East Chaparral Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Chaparral Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23

Turn left

64 ft · 4 sec
24

Arrive at destination

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 134.6 miles from Saint Michaels, AZ, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.8 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 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 134.6 miles or 2h 35m 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 27m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Saint Michaels, 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 Saint Michaels, AZ

This is one driving day of about 269.2 miles and 5h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Saint Michaels, 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 South Beeline Highway for about 72.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 134.6 mi from Saint Michaels, AZ · 2h 35m into the drive

Downtown Mesa, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mesa, AZ

135 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

Mesa, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ

10.7 mi · 17m

Pacing Suggestions

Flagstaff, AZ

Fuel and coffee

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

Flagstaff, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 134.6 miles from Saint Michaels, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before South Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.8 miles.

Arriving in Scottsdale, AZ

The final approach into Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, 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.

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park

National Park

A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $25 near mile 74.3
View on nps.gov
Tonto National Monument

Tonto National Monument

National Monument

Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour $10 near mile 232.1
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.58 one way

$107.15 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 94 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $56.57 $113.15
premium $5.59 $59.21 $118.43
diesel $5.64 $59.81 $119.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$54

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 94.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 80.8 0 $28.27 $12.92
Efficient EV 67.3 0 $23.55 $10.77
EV Truck/SUV 107.7 1 $37.69 $17.23

Gas CO2

94 kg

EV CO2

31 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Saint Michaels, AZ

Morning in Saint Michaels on Monday

Local time

11:59 AM

MDT

Current temp

33°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Scottsdale, AZ

Morning in Scottsdale on Monday

Local time

10:59 AM

MST

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

63°F

Mesa, AZ

135 mi in

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

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

25 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

5h 27m 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 Saint Michaels, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ covers 269.2 miles and takes about 5h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Beeline Highway, Purple Heart Trail, Heber Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 134.6 miles from Saint Michaels, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.58 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 is a straightforward 5h 27m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (N12 / Navajo Route 12): Navigation decision point; at 92.8 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 130.3 miles (AZ 277 / West 3rd Street North): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Saint Michaels, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Heber along the way.

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