Drive Time
2h 13m
Distance
107 mi
172 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
The drive from Scottsdale, AZ to Catalina, AZ covers 107 miles and takes about 2h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Chaparral Road, AZ 101, Pima Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.86 one way before food or hotel costs.
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 .
Expect a 2h 13m drive with frequent turns across 107 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Chaparral Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| AZ 101 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pima Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Price Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 60 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Superstition Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| AZ 79 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale, AZ and Catalina, AZ.
Start on the route
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
Take the ramp right toward AZ 101 Loop South
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
Continue on Price Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East, US 60 West: Globe, Phoenix
Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Globe
Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson
Keep slight right to continue on AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson
Continue on South Pinal Parkway Avenue
Continue on Pinal Pioneer Parkway
Continue on State Route 79
Turn right onto Tucson-Globe Highway
Turn left onto Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
Turn right onto Edwin Road
Turn right onto North Elkins Road
Turn right onto East Pinto Place
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catalina, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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.
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 53.5 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$20.86 one way
$41.71 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $22.49 | $44.97 |
| premium | $5.57 | $23.45 | $46.89 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $26.82 | $53.63 |
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.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Scottsdale on Saturday
Local time
6:36 AM
MST
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Catalina on Saturday
Local time
6:36 AM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
56°F
Queen Creek, AZ
54 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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