The drive from Yuma, AZ to Colorado City, AZ covers 450 miles and takes about 8h 51m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Route 95, US 95, Las Vegas Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.2 miles on Route 95.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $89.65 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
225 miles from Yuma, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Route 95
91.2 mi
1h 47m
US 95
78.6 mi
1h 25m
Las Vegas Freeway
73.3 mi
1h 13m
Veterans Memorial Highway
45.1 mi
50m
Ben Hulse Highway
31.4 mi
36m
Ogilby Road
24.5 mi
43m
Purple Heart Highway
17.6 mi
20m
SR 59
13.1 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
Route 95
— 91.2 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yuma, AZ and Colorado City, AZ.
1
Start on I 8 BUS
0.3 mi·22 sec·North 4th Avenue
2
Continue on I 8 BUS
0.2 mi·33 sec·Winterhaven Drive
3
Turn left
0.2 mi·20 sec
4
Merge onto I 8
6.9 mi·7 min·Kumeyaay Highway
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 8
5.4 mi·5 min·Kumeyaay Highway
Toward Weigh Station
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward Ogilby Road
7
Turn right onto CR S34; US 80 Hist
24 mi·43 min·Ogilby Road
8
At end of road, turn right onto CA 78
31 mi·36 min·Ben Hulse Highway
9
Continue on CA 78
1.3 mi·1 min·32nd Avenue
10
Turn left onto CA 78
2.0 mi·2 min·Rannells Boulevard
11
Turn right onto CA 78
3.0 mi·3 min·28th Avenue
12
Turn left onto CA 78
6.8 mi·7 min·South Neighbours Boulevard
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
14
Merge onto I 10
4.5 mi·4 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US-95 North
16
Turn left onto US 95
1.8 mi·2 min·South Intake Boulevard
17
Continue on US 95
38 mi·45 min·Route 95
18
Continue on US 95
0.6 mi·40 sec·Vidal Avenue
19
Continue on US 95
53 mi·1 hr 2 min·Route 95
20
Take the exit onto US 95
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 95
21
Merge onto I 40; US 95
10 mi·11 min·Needles Freeway
22
Take the exit onto US 95; CR 66; US 66 Hist
0.3 mi·17 sec·US 95; CR 66; US 66 Hist
Exit 133Toward US 95 North: Searchlight, Las Vegas
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 95; CR 66; US 66 Hist
78 mi·1 hr 24 min·US 95; CR 66; US 66 Hist
Exit 133Toward US 95 North: Searchlight, Las VegasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on NV 173
0.2 mi·21 sec·Veterans Memorial Highway
25
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·32 sec
Toward I 11 North, US 93 North, US 95 North: Las Vegas, Henderson
26
Merge onto I 11; US 93; US 95
1.3 mi·1 min·Boulder City Bypass
27
Continue on I 11; US 93; US 95
18 mi·20 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi·30 sec
Exit 72Toward NV 159: Charleston BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn right onto NV 159
0.6 mi·1 min·East Charleston Boulevard
30
Turn left onto South Lamb Boulevard
6.8 mi·11 min·South Lamb Boulevard
Use the left lane.
31
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City
32
Merge onto I 15; US 93
73 mi·1 hr 13 min·Las Vegas Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 15
45 mi·50 min·Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.6 mi·48 sec
Toward SR 9: HurricaneUse the slight right lane.
35
Merge onto SR 9
9.1 mi·13 min·West State Street
36
Turn right onto South 300 West
512 ft·21 sec·South 300 West
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Turn left onto West 100 South
9.3 mi·12 min·West 100 South
38
Continue on SR 59
13 mi·16 min·SR 59
Use the straight lane.
39
Continue on AZ 389
0.2 mi·29 sec·Short Creek–Fredonia Highway
40
Turn left onto CR 375
1.2 mi·2 min·West Arizona Avenue
41
At end of road, turn right onto CR 377
0.5 mi·53 sec·North Central Street
42
Turn right onto West Township Avenue
449 ft·17 sec·West Township Avenue
43
Turn left onto Heritage Lane
69 ft·3 sec·Heritage Lane
44
Arrive at destination
Heritage Lane
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 225 miles from Yuma, AZ, or about 4h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.2 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 99 miles or 2h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 225 miles or 4h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 225 miles or 4h 34m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colorado City, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Yuma, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Yuma, AZ
Aim for roughly 225 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Colorado City, AZ
Aim for roughly 225 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 99 miles from Yuma, AZ.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Route 95 for about 91.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 191.6 and 415.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
191.6 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|US 95; CR 66; US 66 Hist
Take the exit onto US 95; CR 66; US 66 Hist toward US 95 North: Searchlight, Las Vegas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 133
Toward US 95 North: Searchlight, Las Vegas
9
191.9 mi into trip|~3h 58m in|US 95; CR 66; US 66 Hist
Keep slight right at fork onto US 95; CR 66; US 66 Hist toward US 95 North: Searchlight, Las Vegas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133
Toward US 95 North: Searchlight, Las Vegas
6
270 mi into trip|~5h 23m in
Take the ramp toward I 11 North, US 93 North, US 95 North: Las Vegas, Henderson
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 11 North, US 93 North, US 95 North: La...
7
289.4 mi into trip|~5h 46m in
Take the exit toward NV 159: Charleston Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 72
Toward NV 159: Charleston Boulevard
6
415.7 mi into trip|~8h 3m in
Take the exit toward SR 9: Hurricane
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward SR 9: Hurricane
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$89.65 one way
$179.29 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg157 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$94.87
$189.74
premium
$5.59
$99.05
$198.11
diesel
$5.61
$99.35
$198.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$90
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$220–$330
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 157.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
135
1
$47.25
$21.60
Efficient EV
112.5
1
$39.38
$18.00
EV Truck/SUV
180
2
$63.00
$28.80
Gas CO2
157 kg
EV CO2
53 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Yuma, AZ
Afternoon
in Yuma on Saturday
Local time
1:27 PM
MST
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Colorado City, AZ
Afternoon
in Colorado City on Saturday
Local time
1:27 PM
MST
Current temp
76°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
11 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
8h 51m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pipe Spring National Monument
National Monument
The rich history of Pipe Spring and its flowing water comes alive as you explore the traditions of the Kaibab Paiute and the Mormon settlers through the museum, historic fort, cabins, and garden. Hike...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
450 mi in 8h 51m — 59% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: Route 95.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.2 mi on Route 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 191.6 miles in near US 95; CR 66; US 66 Hist.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 31 significant decision points across 450 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 191.6 miles (US 95; CR 66; US 66 Hist): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.9 miles (US 95; CR 66; US 66 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Yuma, AZ and Colorado City, AZ, road signs point toward Las Vegas and Henderson.
Colorado City is a city of 4,900 people (2018) straddling the Utah/Arizona border, although most of the city is on the Arizona side. The Utah portion is known as Hildale.
Colorado City is the largest and best-known polygamist community in the United States, and there are few facilities for travelers.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.2 miles on Route 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 225 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Colorado City, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 191.6 miles (US 95; CR 66; US 66 Hist): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 191.9 miles (US 95; CR 66; US 66 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pipe Spring National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colorado City, AZ before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
