Traveling from Yuma to Cottonwood covers 278.3 miles, making for a manageable 5-hour and 12-minute journey through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Since this trip is well within the range of a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate via the Blue Star Memorial Highway, the Arizona Veterans Highway, and the Bob Stump Memorial Parkway. Budgeting approximately $55 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip. Given the route’s duration, it works best as a direct push, though planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the time behind the wheel.
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
139.2 miles from Yuma, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 12m. Total distance: 278.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a shift in pace as you move through this turn-heavy local drive, which features a 28% highway share. While you begin with a significant 114.2-mile stretch on the Blue Star Memorial Highway, the route quickly transitions into more technical sections that require your full attention. The road’s personality is distinct from a standard interstate grind, offering a more varied driving experience that demands engagement. Be prepared for the changing road conditions as you head north, as the character of the pavement and the geometry of the route evolve significantly throughout the 278.3-mile trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 43 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.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,646 ft141 ft
Total Climb
4,911 ft
Total Descent
1,727 ft
Highest Point
4,646 ft
~258.5 mi in
Elevation Range
4,506 ft
Notable High Points
4,646 ft at ~258.5 miles+788 ft prominence
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.
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 22 significant decision points across 278.3 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 22 key points
These 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
163.5 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward AZ 303 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 124A
Toward AZ 303 Loop North
6
199.5 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
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 Cottonwood, AZ, road signs point toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo, Gilda Bend, Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A and Payson - among others.
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
Finnie Flat
264.1 mi in|~4h 50m
260 To 89A
264.1 mi in|~4h 50m
Payson
264.1 mi in|~4h 50m
Jerome
264.1 mi in|~4h 50m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
114.2 mi
1h 59m
Arizona Veterans Highway
38.2 mi
38m
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
34.2 mi
39m
Arizona State Highway 85
28.1 mi
32m
Black Canyon Freeway
16.4 mi
16m
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
12.3 mi
18m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
10.4 mi
10m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi
9m
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 Cottonwood, 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: PhoenixUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 10
10 mi·10 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.7 mi·2 min
Exit 124AToward AZ 303 Loop NorthUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
34 mi·39 min·Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 17 North: FlagstaffUse the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
19
Merge onto I 17
16 mi·16 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
25 mi·24 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome
24
Turn left onto AZ 260
421 ft·11 sec·Finnie Flat Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Continue on AZ 260
0.5 mi·58 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
Use the straight lane.
26
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
27
Continue on AZ 260
0.4 mi·41 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
28
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
29
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
30
Continue on AZ 260
1.1 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
31
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft·2 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
32
Continue on AZ 260
1.0 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
33
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
145 ft·6 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
34
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
35
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
36
Continue on AZ 260
2.1 mi·2 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
37
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
144 ft·6 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
38
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
39
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
188 ft·8 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
40
Continue on AZ 260
4.7 mi·7 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
41
Continue on AZ 260
420 ft·12 sec·South Main Street
42
Continue on AZ 89A
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
43
Arrive at destination
US 89A Historic
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 12-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the midday sun and potential traffic. Since you only have one planned stop, use that time to refuel and stretch your legs, as the turn-heavy nature of the later sections can be taxing. Keep your $55 fuel budget in mind, especially if you encounter varying prices between rural stretches and more populated areas. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected road work. Above all, prioritize steady progress during that initial 114.2-mile stretch on the Blue Star Memorial Highway to ensure you reach Cottonwood comfortably before nightfall.
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 139.2 miles from Yuma, AZ, or about 2h 32m 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 61 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.2 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cottonwood, 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 278.3 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 139.2 mi from Yuma, AZ
· 2h 32m into the drive
The midpoint is around 139.2 miles from Yuma, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Blue Star Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 114.2 miles.
Arriving in Cottonwood, AZ
The final approach into Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Tuzigoot National Monument
National Monument
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
$10
near mile 268.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.44 one way
$110.88 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$58.67
$117.35
premium
$5.59
$61.26
$122.52
diesel
$5.61
$61.45
$122.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.5
1
$29.22
$13.36
Efficient EV
69.6
0
$24.35
$11.13
EV Truck/SUV
111.3
1
$38.96
$17.81
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Morning
in Yuma on Thursday
Local time
11:43 AM
MST
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cottonwood, AZ
Morning
in Cottonwood on Thursday
Local time
11:43 AM
MST
Current temp
81°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
6 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
5h 12m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Yuma, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 278.3 miles and takes about 5h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Blue Star Memorial Highway, Arizona Veterans Highway, Bob Stump Memorial Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.2 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 $55.44 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 278.3 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 Cottonwood, AZ, road signs point toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo, Gilda Bend, Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A and Payson - among others.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes. The route ranges from 141 ft to 4,646 ft elevation with about 4,911 ft of total climbing. There is 1 notable high point along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle National Monument.
