Trip from Scottsdale, AZ to Glendale, AZ

Drive Time

36m

Distance

21.9 mi

35 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 9 min

4 AM

0h 33m ★

6 AM

0h 36m

8 AM

0h 42m

10 AM

0h 38m

12 PM

0h 38m

3 PM

0h 39m

5 PM

0h 42m

8 PM

0h 34m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Scottsdale, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Glendale, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

Spanning just 21.9 miles, this straightforward transit between Scottsdale and Glendale is a quick trip that takes roughly 36 minutes to complete. Because the entire journey remains within the Desert Southwest, you won't experience major shifts in landscape, making it a perfect one-day excursion. You can expect to spend about $4 on fuel, keeping the costs for this commute quite manageable. Since there are no mandatory stops required, you have the flexibility to head out whenever your schedule allows. Whether you are running errands or heading to an appointment, this route serves as a reliable connection between the two cities.

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

11 miles from Scottsdale, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate through the urban grid. While 21% of your journey takes place on the highway, the majority of your time will be spent transitioning between local roads like East McDowell Road and the Papago Freeway. You will find your longest uninterrupted stretch on Grand Avenue, which lasts for 7.1 miles before requiring another turn. The road's personality is functional and efficient, shifting from local street navigation to faster highway segments as you progress. It is not a monotonous interstate grind, but rather a dynamic series of turns that keeps you engaged behind the wheel.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Grand Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 7.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 14 significant decision points across 21.9 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 7.4 miles (AZ 143 / Hohokam Expressway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Chaparral Road

Turn left onto East Chaparral Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

7.4 mi into trip | ~14m in | AZ 143 / Hohokam Expressway

Turn left onto AZ 143 / Hohokam Expressway toward AZ 202 Loop West, AZ 143 South

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward AZ 202 Loop West, AZ 143 South

7.6 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the exit toward AZ 202 Loop West

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 5 Toward AZ 202 Loop West

10.5 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward I 10 West

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

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 10 West

14.3 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue

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 143C Toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Grand Avenue	7.1 mi	12m
Papago Freeway	2.3 mi	2m
East McDowell Road	2.2 mi	3m
Red Mountain Freeway	2.1 mi	2m
North 64th Street	1.7 mi	3m
East Chaparral Road	1.6 mi	3m
North Goldwater Boulevard	1.1 mi	2m
East Indian School Road	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Grand Avenue — 7.1 mi, about 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

64 ft · 10 sec · this road

Turn left onto East Chaparral Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · East Chaparral Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto North Scottsdale Road

216 ft · 10 sec · North Scottsdale Road

Use the left / none lanes.

Turn slight right onto North Goldwater Boulevard

1.1 mi · 2 min · North Goldwater Boulevard

Toward North Goldwater Boulevard Use the none lane.

Turn right onto East Indian School Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Indian School Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto North 64th Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · North 64th Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto East McDowell Road

2.2 mi · 3 min · East McDowell Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto AZ 143

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Hohokam Expressway

Toward AZ 202 Loop West, AZ 143 South Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 5 Toward AZ 202 Loop West Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto AZ 202 Loop

2.1 mi · 2 min · Red Mountain Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Toward I 10 West Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 10

1.3 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

Continue on I 10

0.9 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Exit 143C Toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto North 19th Avenue

0.3 mi · 35 sec · North 19th Avenue

Use the left / right lanes.

Turn slight left onto Grand Avenue

7.1 mi · 12 min · Grand Avenue

Use the left / slight left lanes.

Arrive at destination

US 60

Trip Plan

Because this is a short trip with no scheduled stops, you have total flexibility in your departure time. However, given the number of turns involved, it is wise to map your route in advance to account for the frequent transitions between local roads and the Papago Freeway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you leave, as your $4 budget is based on efficient travel across these 21.9 miles. Since the drive is under an hour, you do not need to worry about planning for rest breaks or overnight stays. A great tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant during the 7.1-mile stretch on Grand Avenue, as this is your best opportunity to settle into a consistent pace before returning to the local turn-heavy sections.

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 11 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, or about 19m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.1 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 21.9 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 11 miles or 19m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, 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 21.9 miles and 36m.

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 Grand Avenue for about 7.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 11 mi from Scottsdale, AZ · 19m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Phoenix, AZ

11 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

Maryvale, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Phoenix, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 11 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Glendale, AZ

The final approach into Glendale, 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 Glendale, 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

$4.36 one way

$8.72 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 8 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$4.60	$9.20
premium	$5.59	$4.82	$9.63
diesel	$5.64	$4.87	$9.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 7.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	6.6	$2.30	$1.05
Efficient EV	5.5	$1.92	$0.88
EV Truck/SUV	8.8	$3.07	$1.40

Gas CO2

8 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (63% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Scottsdale, AZ

Afternoon in Scottsdale on Sunday

Local time

4:07 PM

MST

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Glendale, AZ

Afternoon in Glendale on Sunday

Local time

4:07 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

1 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

36m 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 Glendale, AZ covers 21.9 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Grand Avenue, Papago Freeway, East McDowell Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 11 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 $4.36 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.

The route from Scottsdale, AZ to Glendale, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Scottsdale, AZ or browse trips ending in Glendale, AZ.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.

Explore maps for Scottsdale, AZ or Glendale, AZ on MapSof.net.

Trip from Scottsdale, AZ to Glendale, AZ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Glendale, AZ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Scottsdale, AZ

Glendale, AZ

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

36m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

Explore More

Continue From Glendale, AZ

More from Scottsdale, AZ

More trips to Glendale, AZ