Origin
San Luis, AZ
Late night in San Luis on Wednesday
Local time
5:23 AM
MST
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Luis, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 12m
Distance
216.7 mi
349 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 59m
★
6 AM
4h 12m
8 AM
4h 39m
10 AM
4h 22m
12 PM
4h 19m
3 PM
4h 23m
5 PM
4h 37m
8 PM
4h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Luis, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Scottsdale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from San Luis, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ covers 216.7 miles and takes about 4h 12m 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, Arizona State Highway 85, Papago Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 106.2 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.17 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
108.4 miles from San Luis, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from San Luis, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ covers 216.7 miles and takes about 4h 12m, 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 38 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 106.2 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 170.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 216.7 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 170.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.8 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.2 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
170.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
8
204.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
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 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
8
205.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
207.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward AZ 143 South: Washington Street, McDowell Road
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 3
Toward AZ 143 South: Washington Street, McDowel...
7
208.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward McDowell Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward McDowell Road
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Luis, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ, road signs point toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo and Gilda Bend.
85: Phoenix
133.3 mi in
|
~2h 24m
|
via I 8 Business
Ajo
133.3 mi in
|
~2h 24m
|
via I 8 Business
Gilda Bend
133.5 mi in
|
~2h 24m
|
via I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 106.2 mi | 1h 49m |
| Arizona State Highway 85 | 28.1 mi | 32m |
| Papago Freeway | 21.2 mi | 24m |
| Robert A. Vaughan Expressway | 20.9 mi | 24m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| East Cesar Chavez Boulevard | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| South Oglesby Road | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| East Pima Street | 3.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 106.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Luis, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on Urtuzuastegui Street
20 ft
·
0 sec
·
Urtuzuastegui Street
2
Enter roundabout onto US 95
7 ft
·
0 sec
·
Main Street
3
Continue on US 95
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Main Street
4
Turn right onto East C Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
East C Street
5
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
4th Avenue
6
Turn right onto East Cesar Chavez Boulevard
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
East Cesar Chavez Boulevard
7
Continue on AZ 195
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Robert A. Vaughan Expressway
8
Continue on AZ 195
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
·
South Araby Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Enter roundabout
113 ft
·
1 sec
10
Continue
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
11
Merge onto I 8
106 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
12
Take the exit onto I 8 Business
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 8 Business
Toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
13
Continue on I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
East Pima Street
Toward AZ-85: Phoenix, Gilda Bend
14
Continue on AZ 85
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
15
Turn left onto AZ 85
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on AZ 85
28 mi
·
32 min
·
Arizona State Highway 85
17
Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
18
Continue on AZ 85
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South Oglesby Road
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 10
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 10
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
23
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
26
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 3
Toward AZ 143 South: Washington Street, McDowell Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward McDowell Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
29
Merge onto AZ 143
478 ft
·
9 sec
·
Hohokam Expressway
30
Turn right onto East McDowell Road
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
East McDowell Road
Use the left lane.
31
Turn left onto North Scottsdale Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Scottsdale Road
Use the left lane.
32
Turn right onto East Osborn Road
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
East Osborn Road
Use the right lane.
33
Enter roundabout onto East Osborn Road
90 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Osborn Road
34
Continue on East Osborn Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Osborn Road
35
Turn left onto North Hayden Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Hayden Road
Use the left lane.
36
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
Use the right lane.
37
Turn right
64 ft
·
4 sec
38
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 108.4 miles from San Luis, AZ, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.2 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.4 miles or 1h 58m 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 21m
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 San Luis, 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 San Luis, AZ
This is one driving day of about 216.7 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from San Luis, 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 106.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 108.4 mi from San Luis, AZ · 1h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 108.4 miles from San Luis, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Blue Star Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.2 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.
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
$43.17 one way
$86.34 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $45.69 | $91.37 |
| premium | $5.59 | $47.70 | $95.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.84 | $95.69 |
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: 75.8 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 | 0 | $22.75 | $10.40 |
| Efficient EV | 54.2 | 0 | $18.96 | $8.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.7 | 1 | $30.34 | $13.87 |
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.
Destination
Scottsdale, AZ
Late night in Scottsdale on Wednesday
Local time
5:23 AM
MST
Current temp
92°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
18 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 12m 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 San Luis, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ covers 216.7 miles and takes about 4h 12m 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 108.4 miles from San Luis, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.17 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 demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 216.7 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 170.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.8 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205.2 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between San Luis, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ, road signs point toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo and Gilda Bend.
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