Origin
Scottsdale, AZ
Afternoon in Scottsdale on Wednesday
Local time
3:57 PM
MST
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Scottsdale, AZ to Cave Creek, AZ
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
40m
Distance
26.2 mi
42 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 37m
★
6 AM
0h 40m
8 AM
0h 47m
10 AM
0h 43m
12 PM
0h 42m
3 PM
0h 43m
5 PM
0h 47m
8 PM
0h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scottsdale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Cave Creek, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Scottsdale to Cave Creek, you are looking at a manageable 26.2-mile trek through the Desert Southwest. Expect to spend about 40 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the Pima Freeway, North Scottsdale Road, and North Tom Darlington Drive to complete your journey. With a modest fuel budget of $5, this route is as economical as it is accessible. Because both cities are located within the same region, you can anticipate a consistent desert atmosphere throughout the drive. It is a straightforward trip that fits easily into a morning or afternoon schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
13.1 miles from Scottsdale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that transitions from faster highway speeds to more localized road travel. You will spend roughly 43% of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 11.3 miles on the Pima Freeway. As you navigate away from the freeway, the road character shifts, providing a change of pace as you transition onto North Scottsdale Road and North Tom Darlington Drive. The experience is balanced, offering a blend of efficient transit and suburban connectivity. You will find the transition between these road types keeps the drive engaging without feeling like a monotonous interstate slog.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pima Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 11.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 26.2 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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 straight / slight right lanes.
7
12.2 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward Scottsdale Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 34
Toward Scottsdale Road
5
12.7 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
North Scottsdale Road
Turn right onto North Scottsdale Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
24.4 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
East Cave Creek Road
Turn left onto East Cave Creek Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pima Freeway | 11.3 mi | 13m |
| North Scottsdale Road | 9.7 mi | 15m |
| North Tom Darlington Drive | 2 mi | 4m |
| East Cave Creek Road | 1.7 mi | 4m |
| East Chaparral Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pima Freeway
— 11.3 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale, AZ and Cave Creek, 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
3
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 34
Toward Scottsdale Road
Use the slight right lane.
6
Turn straight onto Pima Freeway
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Pima Freeway
7
Turn right onto North Scottsdale Road
9.7 mi
·
15 min
·
North Scottsdale Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on North Tom Darlington Drive
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Tom Darlington Drive
Use the left lane.
9
Turn straight onto North Tom Darlington Drive
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Tom Darlington Drive
10
Turn left onto East Cave Creek Road
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
East Cave Creek Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Arrive at destination
East Cave Creek Road
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is only 40 minutes, you have maximum flexibility when choosing your departure time. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the short distance allows you to reach your destination quickly and comfortably. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will remain low at approximately $5, so you don't need to worry about complex refueling logistics during the drive. To make the most of your trip, try to time your departure to avoid peak local traffic, as the mix of freeway and arterial roads can get busy. Use the simplicity of this 26.2-mile route to your advantage by keeping your schedule open and spontaneous.
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 13.1 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.3 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 26 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.1 miles or 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cave Creek, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Scottsdale, AZ.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Scottsdale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 26.2 miles and 40m.
At 26.2 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Pima Freeway for about 11.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.1 mi from Scottsdale, AZ · 16m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.1 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cave Creek, AZ
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Cave Creek, AZ if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.22 one way
$10.44 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $5.52 | $11.05 |
| premium | $5.59 | $5.77 | $11.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.78 | $11.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.75 | $1.26 |
| Efficient EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.29 | $1.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.67 | $1.68 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (67% 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
Cave Creek, AZ
Afternoon in Cave Creek on Wednesday
Local time
3:57 PM
MST
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
7 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
40m 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 Cave Creek, AZ covers 26.2 miles and takes about 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pima Freeway, North Scottsdale Road, North Tom Darlington Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.1 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 $5.22 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 26.2 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Scottsdale, AZ to Cave Creek, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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