Origin
Scottsdale, AZ
Afternoon in Scottsdale on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
MST
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Scottsdale, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
150.5 mi
242 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scottsdale, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Flagstaff, AZ
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Traveling from Scottsdale to Flagstaff covers a 150.5-mile journey that typically takes 2 hours and 42 minutes. Because this is a straightforward trek within the Desert Southwest, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your route utilizes a combination of the Pima Freeway, Black Canyon Freeway, and Arizona Veterans Highway to bridge the gap between the two cities. Budgeting approximately $30 for fuel should be sufficient for the trip. Whether you are heading north for a quick getaway or a change of scenery, the distance is manageable for any driver looking for an efficient transition between these Arizona hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.3 miles from Scottsdale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed drive profile, offering a blend of urban freeway travel and more open road conditions. Approximately 30% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a consistent pace for the majority of the journey. You will encounter your longest stretch of road on the Arizona Veterans Highway, which accounts for 91.1 miles of the total distance. As you navigate from the lower desert elevations toward the higher terrain of Flagstaff, the driving environment shifts from busy metropolitan corridors to more expansive, steady stretches. Expect a functional, direct experience behind the wheel that prioritizes steady progress over technical complexity.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Arizona Veterans Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 91.1 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 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 8 significant decision points across 150.5 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 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Turn left toward AZ 101 Loop North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
23 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
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 23C-B
Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagsta...
7
23.5 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 91.1 mi | 1h 32m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 23.2 mi | 24m |
| Pima Freeway | 22 mi | 25m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| South Milton Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| East Chaparral Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Prescott–Flagstaff Highway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| West Historic Route 66 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 91.1 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale, AZ and Flagstaff, AZ.
1
Start on this road
64 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 23C-B
Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
8
Merge onto I 17
23 mi
·
24 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 17
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
12
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
13
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
14
Continue on AZ 89A
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
South Milton Road
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
449 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Historic Route 66
16
Arrive at destination
US 180; I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak traffic. Plan for at least one stop during your 2 hours and 42 minutes on the road to break up the drive and stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you begin the climb toward your destination, and ensure you have that $30 set aside for gas before you head out. A smart strategy for this 150.5-mile route is to time your departure to miss the heaviest morning or afternoon commuter congestion on the freeways. Taking advantage of the single recommended stop will keep you refreshed for the final leg of your journey into Flagstaff.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.3 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.3 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flagstaff, 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 150.5 miles and 2h 42m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 91.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.3 mi from Scottsdale, AZ · 1h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 75.3 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.1 miles.
Arriving in Flagstaff, AZ
The final approach into Flagstaff, 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 Flagstaff, 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
$29.95 one way
$59.90 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $31.63 | $63.26 |
| premium | $5.59 | $33.10 | $66.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.44 | $66.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.80 | $7.22 |
| Efficient EV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.17 | $6.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.2 | 0 | $21.07 | $9.63 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Flagstaff, AZ
Afternoon in Flagstaff on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
MST
Current temp
30°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
28 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 42m 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 Flagstaff, AZ covers 150.5 miles and takes about 2h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, Pima Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.3 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 $29.95 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 150.5 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 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Scottsdale, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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