Origin
Scottsdale, AZ
Afternoon in Scottsdale on Sunday
Local time
4:07 PM
MST
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Scottsdale, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
25m
Distance
14.1 mi
23 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 23m
★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 30m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 26m
3 PM
0h 27m
5 PM
0h 29m
8 PM
0h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scottsdale, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
Connecting Scottsdale and Phoenix is a straightforward 18.2-mile journey that typically takes about 22 minutes to complete. Because this trip is entirely within the Desert Southwest, you won't experience any major shifts in regional landscape. It is perfectly suited as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging or splitting your travel time. With fuel costs estimated at just $4, this commute is highly economical for those looking to move between the two cities quickly. Whether you are traveling for business or a local outing, this brief drive offers a simple, efficient connection between these two hubs.
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
7 miles from Scottsdale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience, as this route features 0% highway share. Your path will primarily utilize East Chaparral Road, North Scottsdale Road, and North Goldwater Boulevard to navigate between the cities. Since there are no highway miles, you will spend your time on surface streets, with the longest stretch being 0 miles on East Chaparral Road. You should prepare for a steady pace through local traffic patterns rather than the open-road cruising found on major freeways. This route requires your full attention at intersections and turns as you transition across the metropolitan area.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East McDowell Road is the longest continuous segment at about 2.2 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 around 7.4 miles in near AZ 143 / Hohokam Expressway.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 14.1 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 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; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
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
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
6
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
7
12.2 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 145A
Toward 7th Street
9
12.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 7th Street South, Downtown Cultural/Sports Facilitles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward 7th Street South, Downtown Cultural/Spor...
Towns Along This Route
Between Scottsdale, AZ and Phoenix, AZ, road signs point toward 7Th Street South and Cultural/Sports Facilitles.
7Th Street South
12.5 mi in
|
~21m
Cultural/Sports Facilitles
12.5 mi in
|
~21m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| North 7th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| East Indian School Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Papago Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
East McDowell Road
— 2.2 mi, about 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on this road
64 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto East Chaparral Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Chaparral Road
3
Turn left onto North Scottsdale Road
216 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Scottsdale Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn slight right onto North Goldwater Boulevard
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Goldwater Boulevard
Toward North Goldwater Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto East Indian School Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Indian School Road
6
Turn left onto North 64th Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North 64th Street
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto East McDowell Road
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
East McDowell Road
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto AZ 143
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Hohokam Expressway
Toward AZ 202 Loop West, AZ 143 South
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
11
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 10
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
Papago Freeway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 145A
Toward 7th Street
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward 7th Street South, Downtown Cultural/Sports Facilitles
Use the left lane.
15
Turn straight onto North 7th Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North 7th Street
16
Turn right onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
17
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip is a short 22-minute duration, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any stops along the way, as the route is direct and requires no fuel refills beyond the initial $4 budget. Keep in mind that because this is a local drive, you should account for typical city traffic fluctuations that could impact your travel time. My best advice is to familiarize yourself with the turn-heavy nature of the route before you pull away from the curb. Enjoy the ease of this quick transit, and don't feel pressured to rush through the transition from Scottsdale to Phoenix.
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 7 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 2.2 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 14.1 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, 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 14.1 miles and 25m.
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 East McDowell Road for about 2.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7 mi from Scottsdale, AZ · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 14.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
The final approach into Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, 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
$2.81 one way
$5.61 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $2.96 | $5.93 |
| premium | $5.59 | $3.10 | $6.20 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.13 | $6.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.2 | 0 | $1.48 | $0.68 |
| Efficient EV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.23 | $0.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.97 | $0.90 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
4:07 PM
MST
Current temp
61°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
3 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
25m 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 Phoenix, AZ covers 14.1 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East McDowell Road, Red Mountain Freeway, North 64th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7 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 $2.81 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 14 significant decision points across 14.1 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 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; at 10.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Scottsdale, AZ and Phoenix, AZ, road signs point toward 7Th Street South and Cultural/Sports Facilitles.
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