Origin
Yuma, AZ
Evening in Yuma on Thursday
Local time
5:10 PM
MST
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Yuma, AZ to Quartzsite, AZ
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
84 mi
135 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 41m
★
6 AM
1h 49m
8 AM
2h 5m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 53m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 4m
8 PM
1h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Yuma, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Quartzsite, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 84-mile drive from Yuma, AZ to Quartzsite, AZ is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in under two hours. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. You'll primarily be on local roads like San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway, East 16th Street, and South Central Boulevard, with no interstate driving involved. Expect a fuel cost of around $17 for this journey. The route stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. It's a practical option if you're looking for a short, direct connection between these two Arizona towns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42 miles from Yuma, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 84 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
You'll find this drive to be a turn-heavy local experience, rather than an open highway cruise. With a 0% highway share, expect to navigate through more developed areas and smaller roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 66.4 miles along the San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway, which offers a good segment of consistent driving. The profile suggests a route that requires your attention with frequent turns, so it’s best suited for drivers who prefer a more engaged driving experience over long, straight stretches. It's a journey that keeps you connected to the local landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 66.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Yuma, AZ to Quartzsite, AZ is easy. At 1h 49m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (I 8 / Kumeyaay Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 8 / Kumeyaay Highway
Merge onto I 8 / Kumeyaay Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
2.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward US 95: 16th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 95: 16th Street
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
83.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
I 10 BUS; US 95 / West Main Street
Turn left onto I 10 BUS; US 95 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway | 66.4 mi | 1h 21m |
| East 16th Street | 10.9 mi | 15m |
| South Central Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 5m |
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| West Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North 4th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Kumeyaay Highway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Winterhaven Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway
— 66.4 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yuma, AZ and Quartzsite, 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
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 95: 16th Street
7
Keep slight left at fork
235 ft
·
7 sec
8
Turn left onto US 95
11 mi
·
15 min
·
East 16th Street
9
Continue on US 95
66 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway
10
Continue on US 95
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
South Central Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto I 10 BUS; US 95
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
12
Turn left onto Oldham Lane
41 ft
·
1 sec
·
Oldham Lane
13
Arrive at destination
Oldham Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 1-hour and 49-minute duration, this trip is best tackled in one go, making flexibility your best friend. You can leave Yuma anytime, but consider an early start to avoid potential midday heat in the Desert Southwest. Since there are no specific recommended stops and the drive is relatively short, you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before you depart Yuma, as services might be more spread out on the local roads. The $17 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to top off before heading out.
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 42 miles from Yuma, AZ, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.4 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42 miles or 54m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Quartzsite, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Yuma, AZ
This is one driving day of about 84 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Yuma, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway for about 66.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42 mi from Yuma, AZ · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42 miles from Yuma, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.4 miles.
Arriving in Quartzsite, AZ
The final approach into Quartzsite, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.73 one way
$33.47 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $17.71 | $35.42 |
| premium | $5.59 | $18.49 | $36.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.55 | $37.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.2 | 0 | $8.82 | $4.03 |
| Efficient EV | 21 | 0 | $7.35 | $3.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.6 | 0 | $11.76 | $5.38 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Quartzsite, AZ
Evening in Quartzsite on Thursday
Local time
5:10 PM
MST
Current temp
84°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 49m 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 Quartzsite, AZ covers 84 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway, East 16th Street, South Central Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42 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 $16.73 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.
The drive from Yuma, AZ to Quartzsite, AZ is easy. At 1h 49m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (I 8 / Kumeyaay Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Yuma, AZ to Quartzsite, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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