Bullhead City to Yuma is 205 miles and takes about 4h 26m via Route 95, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward drive across a familiar landscape. Expect a mixed driving profile, meaning you'll encounter both highway speeds and more local road conditions. With a recommended one-day travel time, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without a lengthy overnight commitment.
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
102.5 miles from Bullhead City, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Route 95
91.1 mi
1h 47m
Ben Hulse Highway
31.4 mi
36m
Ogilby Road
24.6 mi
43m
Mohave Valley Highway
20.5 mi
32m
Kumeyaay Highway
12.3 mi
13m
South Neighbours Boulevard
6.9 mi
7m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
4.5 mi
4m
28th Avenue
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Route 95
— 91.1 mi, about 1h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bullhead City, AZ and Yuma, AZ.
1
Start on 4th Street
20 ft·6 sec·4th Street
2
Turn left onto AZ 95
21 mi·32 min·Mohave Valley Highway
3
Continue on AZ 95
1.2 mi·2 min·Harbor Avenue
4
Continue on North K Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North K Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto Front Street
465 ft·14 sec·Front Street
6
Turn right onto J Street
0.3 mi·37 sec·J Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·15 sec
8
Merge onto I 40; US 95
0.8 mi·52 sec·Needles Freeway
9
Take the exit onto US 95
0.3 mi·22 sec·US 95
Toward US 95 South: East Broadway, Blythe
10
Turn right onto US 95; US 66 Hist
53 mi·1 hr 2 min·Route 95
11
Continue on US 95
0.6 mi·40 sec·Vidal Avenue
12
Continue on US 95
38 mi·45 min·Route 95
13
Continue on US 95
1.7 mi·1 min·North Intake Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·18 sec
15
Merge onto I 10
4.5 mi·4 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Toward SR-78 South
17
Turn left onto CA 78
6.9 mi·7 min·South Neighbours Boulevard
18
Turn right onto CA 78
3.0 mi·3 min·28th Avenue
19
Turn left onto CA 78
2.0 mi·2 min·Rannells Boulevard
20
Turn right onto CA 78
1.3 mi·1 min·32nd Avenue
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on CA 78
31 mi·36 min·Ben Hulse Highway
22
Turn left onto S34
25 mi·43 min·Ogilby Road
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
24
Merge onto I 8
12 mi·13 min·Kumeyaay Highway
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward 4th Avenue
26
Keep slight right at fork
173 ft·4 sec
Toward 4th Avenue
27
Turn straight onto I 8 BUS
0.1 mi·16 sec·Winterhaven Drive
28
Continue on I 8 BUS
0.3 mi·1 min·North 4th Avenue
29
Continue on I 8 BUS
51 ft·0 sec·North 4th Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
I 8 BUS
Trip Plan
For this 205-mile journey, leaving Bullhead City in the morning is a good plan, allowing you to reach Yuma with plenty of daylight remaining. Since it's a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to take your time. There's one recommended stop, so plan to utilize that point for a break or to refuel. Given the longest stretch is over 90 miles, ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before departing Bullhead City to avoid any unnecessary detours for gas along Route 95.
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 102.5 miles from Bullhead City, AZ, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 45 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.5 miles or 2h 11m 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 Yuma, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bullhead City, 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 Bullhead City, AZ
This is one driving day of about 205 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Bullhead City, 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 Route 95 for about 91.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 204.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|AZ 95 / Mohave Valley Highway
Turn left onto AZ 95 / Mohave Valley Highway
Navigation decision point
5
22.5 mi into trip|~36m in|J Street
Turn right onto J Street
Navigation decision point
5
23.8 mi into trip|~38m in|US 95
Take the exit onto US 95 toward US 95 South: East Broadway, Blythe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 95 South: East Broadway, Blythe
5
134.5 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|CA 78 / 32nd Avenue
Turn right onto CA 78 / 32nd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
204.6 mi into trip|~4h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 4th Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward 4th Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.84 one way
$81.68 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$43.22
$86.44
premium
$5.59
$45.12
$90.25
diesel
$5.61
$45.26
$90.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.5
0
$21.53
$9.84
Efficient EV
51.3
0
$17.94
$8.20
EV Truck/SUV
82
1
$28.70
$13.12
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Bullhead City, AZ
Night
in Bullhead City on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
NNW 6 to 22 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Yuma, AZ
Night
in Yuma on Saturday
Local time
9:27 PM
MST
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
NNW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
1 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
4h 26m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is a mixed bag, with about 45% of the journey on highways. You'll experience stretches of open road, including a significant 91.1-mile segment on Route 95 that offers a chance to settle into a rhythm. The profile suggests a blend of faster-paced driving and sections that might feel more like local byways, especially as you navigate through different towns and transition between main roads like Ben Hulse Highway and Ogilby Road. It's not a constant interstate grind, but rather a varied experience behind the wheel.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.1 mi on Route 95.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AZ 95 / Mohave Valley Highway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 205 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AZ 95 / Mohave Valley Highway): Navigation decision point; at 22.5 miles (J Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.8 miles (US 95): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bullhead City, AZ to Yuma, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Blythe along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 26m. Total distance: 205 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.1 miles on Route 95. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AZ 95 / Mohave Valley Highway): Navigation decision point; at 22.5 miles (J Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.8 miles (US 95): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Yuma, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
