Origin
Yuma, AZ
Afternoon in Yuma on Thursday
Local time
2:36 PM
MST
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 32m
Distance
248.6 mi
400 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Yuma, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Three Points, AZ
KoolShooters
The drive from Yuma, AZ to Three Points, AZ covers 248.6 miles and takes about 4h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Blue Star Memorial Highway, Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, North Sandario Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 177.9 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.52 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.3 miles from Yuma, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 248.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a 4h 32m drive with frequent turns across 248.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near I 8 / Kumeyaay Highway.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 32m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (I 8 / Kumeyaay Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 178.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 216 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Merge onto I 8 / Kumeyaay Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward Marana Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto West Marana Road
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 86 / West Ajo Highway
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 177.9 mi | 3h 2m |
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 36.3 mi | 36m |
| North Sandario Road | 19.9 mi | 32m |
| West Ajo Highway | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| North Sanders Road | 4 mi | 6m |
| West Avra Valley Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Marana Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Phoenix Bypass Route | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Yuma, AZ and Three Points, AZ.
Start on I 8 BUS
Continue on I 8 BUS
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 8
Continue on I 8
Keep slight right at fork
Continue on Phoenix Bypass Route
Continue on I 10
Take the exit
Turn right onto North Sandario Road
Turn right onto West Marana Road
Turn right onto Marana Main Street
Continue on West Marana Road
Turn left onto North Sanders Road
At end of road, turn left onto West Avra Valley Road
Turn right onto North Sandario Road
Enter roundabout onto North Sandario Road
Continue on North Sandario Road
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 86
Arrive at destination
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.
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 55 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.3 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Three Points, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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 248.6 miles and 4h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.3 mi from Yuma, AZ · 2h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 124.3 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 177.9 miles.
The final approach into Three Points, 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 Three Points, 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.
Regular Gas
$49.52 one way
$99.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $52.41 | $104.82 |
| premium | $5.59 | $54.72 | $109.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.89 | $109.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.6 | 0 | $26.10 | $11.93 |
| Efficient EV | 62.2 | 0 | $21.75 | $9.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.4 | 1 | $34.80 | $15.91 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Yuma on Thursday
Local time
2:36 PM
MST
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Three Points on Thursday
Local time
2:36 PM
MST
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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