Origin
Scottsdale, AZ
Afternoon in Scottsdale on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
MST
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Scottsdale, AZ to Catalina, AZ
Drive Time
2h 13m
Distance
107 mi
172 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 4m
★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 32m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 31m
8 PM
2h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scottsdale, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Catalina, AZ
Allie
Trip Overview
Traveling from Scottsdale to Catalina covers 107 miles of the Desert Southwest, typically taking about 2 hours and 13 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a straightforward highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a manageable day trip rather than requiring an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $21 on fuel for the journey. By utilizing the Superstition Freeway, Pinal Pioneer Parkway, and portions of historic US 80, you will move efficiently between these two Arizona locations. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that lets you bridge the distance without needing to over-plan your schedule.
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
53.5 miles from Scottsdale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by its efficiency, with 83% of your travel time spent on major highways. You will experience a mix of fast-paced freeway driving and steady highway cruising as you transition through the desert landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Pinal Pioneer Parkway, which spans 35.9 miles of the journey. While the road lacks technical curves, it offers a consistent, predictable rhythm that keeps you moving toward your destination. Expect a straightforward driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over winding, scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pinal Pioneer Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pinal Pioneer Parkway and Superstition Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Chaparral Road.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 107 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: near the start (East Chaparral Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Chaparral Road
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
8.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward US 60 East, US 60 West: Globe, Phoenix
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 55A; 55B
Toward US 60 East, US 60 West: Globe, Phoenix
8
8.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 East: Globe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 55A
Toward US 60 East: Globe
8
44.7 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
US 80 Hist
Keep slight right at fork onto US 80 Hist toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson
6
106.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
Edwin Road
Turn right onto Edwin Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Scottsdale, AZ and Catalina, AZ, road signs point toward Phoenix and Tucson.
Phoenix
8.5 mi in
|
~10m
Tucson
44.3 mi in
|
~54m
|
via US 80 Hist
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pinal Pioneer Parkway | 35.9 mi | 41m |
| Superstition Freeway | 22.2 mi | 25m |
| US 80 Hist | 16.2 mi | 21m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| South Pinal Parkway Avenue | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Pima Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| Tucson-Globe Highway | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Price Freeway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
— 35.9 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale, AZ and Catalina, AZ.
1
Start on this road
64 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
4
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Price Freeway
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 55A; 55B
Toward US 60 East, US 60 West: Globe, Phoenix
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 55A
Toward US 60 East: Globe
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 60
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 80 Hist
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 80 Hist
Toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 80 Hist
16 mi
·
20 min
·
US 80 Hist
Toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on AZ 79
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
South Pinal Parkway Avenue
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
36 mi
·
41 min
·
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Route 79
15
Turn right onto AZ 77; US 80 Hist
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Tucson-Globe Highway
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Edwin Road
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Edwin Road
Use the none lane.
18
Turn right onto North Elkins Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Elkins Road
19
Turn right onto East Pinto Place
491 ft
·
21 sec
·
East Pinto Place
20
Arrive at destination
East Pinto Place
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. While there are no mandated stops along the route, keep in mind that you will be covering over 100 miles, so it is wise to ensure your tank is ready for the $21 estimated fuel cost before you leave Scottsdale. Pay close attention to the transition between the Superstition Freeway and the Pinal Pioneer Parkway to maintain your momentum. Because the drive is under two and a half hours, you do not need to worry about splitting the trip into multiple days. Focus on steady pacing to reach Catalina comfortably in one go.
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 53.5 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 53.5 miles or 1h 6m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catalina, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 107 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Scottsdale, 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 Pinal Pioneer Parkway for about 35.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.5 mi from Scottsdale, AZ · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 53.5 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Catalina, AZ
The final approach into Catalina, 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 Catalina, 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
$21.29 one way
$42.59 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $22.49 | $44.97 |
| premium | $5.59 | $23.54 | $47.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.77 | $47.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.1 | 0 | $11.24 | $5.14 |
| Efficient EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.36 | $4.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.98 | $6.85 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (65% 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
Catalina, AZ
Afternoon in Catalina on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
MST
Current temp
53°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
5 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
2h 13m 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Catalina, AZ covers 107 miles and takes about 2h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pinal Pioneer Parkway, Superstition Freeway, US 80 Hist. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.5 miles from Scottsdale, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.29 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 demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 107 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: near the start (East Chaparral Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Scottsdale, AZ and Catalina, AZ, road signs point toward Phoenix and Tucson.
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