Origin
Yuma, AZ
Afternoon in Yuma on Sunday
Local time
4:59 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Yuma, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
3h 30m
Distance
185.9 mi
299 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 18m
★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 55m
10 AM
3h 39m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Yuma, AZ
cottonbro studio
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
Traveling between Yuma and Phoenix covers 186.8 miles across the Desert Southwest, a journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $36 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your itinerary. Navigating via Winterhaven Drive, Kumeyaay Highway, and the Blue Star Memorial Highway, you will stay entirely within the state of Arizona. This straightforward connection is ideal for those who prefer a direct path between the two desert hubs without the need for complex planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
92.9 miles from Yuma, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route lacks any highway-specific stretches. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on Winterhaven Drive is 0 miles, you will find yourself navigating frequent turns throughout the entire 186.8-mile journey. This character makes the trip feel more involved and hands-on than a standard highway drive. While the lack of interstate miles might increase the time spent behind the wheel, it offers a unique perspective on the regional terrain. Stay alert as you transition between these local roads, as the road personality remains consistently technical rather than monotonous.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Blue Star Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 114.2 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 115.1 miles in near I 8 Business.
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 185.9 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: at 115.1 miles (I 8 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 miles (AZ 85 / Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 152.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
5
115.1 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
I 8 Business
Take the exit onto I 8 Business toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
5
119.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
AZ 85 / Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Turn left onto AZ 85 / Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
152.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
7
184 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward 7th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 144A
Toward 7th Avenue
9
184.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State Universi...
Towns Along This Route
Between Yuma, AZ and Phoenix, AZ, road signs point toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo and Gilda Bend.
85: Phoenix
115.1 mi in
|
~2h
|
via I 8 Business
Ajo
115.1 mi in
|
~2h
|
via I 8 Business
Gilda Bend
115.3 mi in
|
~2h
|
via I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 114.2 mi | 1h 59m |
| Arizona State Highway 85 | 28.1 mi | 32m |
| Papago Freeway | 19.2 mi | 22m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| South Oglesby Road | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| East Pima Street | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway | 2 mi | 3m |
| North 1st Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 114.2 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yuma, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on I 8 BUS
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
North 4th Avenue
2
Continue on I 8 BUS
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Winterhaven Drive
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
4
Merge onto I 8
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Kumeyaay Highway
5
Continue on I 8
114 mi
·
1 hr 59 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit onto I 8 Business
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 8 Business
Toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
7
Continue on I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
East Pima Street
Toward AZ-85: Phoenix, Gilda Bend
8
Continue on AZ 85
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
9
Turn left onto AZ 85
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on AZ 85
28 mi
·
32 min
·
Arizona State Highway 85
11
Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
12
Continue on AZ 85
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South Oglesby Road
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 10
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 10
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 144A
Toward 7th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue
445 ft
·
16 sec
·
North 7th Avenue
19
Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Roosevelt Street
20
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
North 1st Avenue
21
Keep slight right at fork onto North 1st Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Avenue
22
Turn left onto West Adams Street
0.1 mi
·
40 sec
·
West Adams Street
23
Turn right onto North 1st Street
408 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 1st Street
24
Turn right onto East Washington Street
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Washington Street
25
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 50-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid the peak heat of the day. Budgeting $36 for gas covers your fuel needs, but it is wise to fill up before you leave Yuma to ensure you aren't searching for stations on smaller stretches. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break to stretch your legs and reset, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive can be more fatiguing than a straight highway path. Keep a close eye on your navigation system, as the frequent road transitions require your full attention to stay on the correct path toward Phoenix. Taking this drive in one go is very achievable, provided you keep your pace steady and account for the extra time required on local roads.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 92.9 miles from Yuma, AZ, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.2 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 80 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.9 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 49m
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 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Yuma, AZ
This is one driving day of about 185.9 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Yuma, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 114.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.9 mi from Yuma, AZ · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.9 miles from Yuma, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Blue Star Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 114.2 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.00 one way
$73.99 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $39.07 | $78.14 |
| premium | $5.59 | $40.89 | $81.78 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $41.30 | $82.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.8 | 0 | $19.52 | $8.92 |
| Efficient EV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.27 | $7.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.03 | $11.90 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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
4:59 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
2 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
3h 30m 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 Yuma, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 185.9 miles and takes about 3h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Blue Star Memorial Highway, Arizona State Highway 85, Papago Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92.9 miles from Yuma, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.00 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 185.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.1 miles (I 8 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 119.3 miles (AZ 85 / Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 152.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Yuma, AZ and Phoenix, AZ, road signs point toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo and Gilda Bend.
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