Trip from Yuma, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

Drive Time

2h 50m

Distance

186.8 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Same-day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Yuma, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 186.8 miles and takes about 2h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Winterhaven Drive, Kumeyaay Highway, Blue Star Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.41 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

93.4 miles from Yuma, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 50m drive with frequent turns across 186.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

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.

Winterhaven Drive is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Winterhaven Drive	0 mi	0m
Kumeyaay Highway	0 mi	0m
Blue Star Memorial Highway	0 mi	0m
85	0 mi	0m
East Pima Street	0 mi	0m
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway	0 mi	0m
Highway 85	0 mi	0m
South Oglesby Road	0 mi	0m

Longest stretch: Winterhaven Drive — 0 mi, about 0m

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on North 4th Avenue

2

Continue on Winterhaven Drive

3

Take the ramp slight right

4

Merge slight left onto Kumeyaay Highway

5

Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway

6

Take the exit slight right toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo

7

Continue on East Pima Street

8

Continue on Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway

9

Turn left onto Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway

10

Continue on Arizona State Highway 85

11

Continue on Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway

12

Continue on South Oglesby Road

13

Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East: Phoenix

14

Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

15

Continue on Papago Freeway

16

Take the exit slight right toward 7th Avenue

17

Keep slight right to continue on 7th Avenue South, Arizona State University Downtown Phoenix Campus, Downtown Cultural/Sport Facilities

18

Turn straight onto North 7th Avenue

19

Turn left onto West Roosevelt Street

20

Turn right onto North 1st Avenue

21

Keep slight right to continue on North 1st Avenue

22

Turn left onto West Adams Street

23

Turn right onto North 1st Street

24

Turn right onto East Washington Street

25

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 93.4 miles from Yuma, AZ.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 93.4 miles

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Last hour of driving

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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from Yuma, AZ

This is one driving day of about 186.8 miles and 2h 50m.

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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Buckeye, AZ

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.

Popular next leg

Buckeye, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

40.4 mi · 43m

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

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.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 93.4 mi from Yuma, AZ

Buckeye, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Buckeye, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.4 miles from Yuma, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$4.95	$36.41	$72.82
midgrade	$5.34	$39.26	$78.51
premium	$5.57	$40.93	$81.87
diesel	$6.37	$46.82	$93.64

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 65.4 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Yuma, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 186.8 miles and takes about 2h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Winterhaven Drive, Kumeyaay Highway, Blue Star Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 93.4 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 $36.41 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.