Traveling from Catalina to Scottsdale covers 107.4 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily manage the entire journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $21 on fuel for this one-way transit through the Desert Southwest. Since there are no scheduled stops required by the route, you have the flexibility to drive straight through or build in your own breaks along the way. Both your starting point and destination sit within the same desert region, ensuring a consistent landscape throughout your travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.5 miles from Catalina, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
35.9 mi
41m
Superstition Freeway
21.9 mi
25m
North Pinal Parkway
15.6 mi
19m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
12.1 mi
15m
South Pinal Parkway Avenue
6.2 mi
8m
Pima Freeway
4.9 mi
5m
Tucson-Globe Highway
3.2 mi
4m
Price Freeway
2.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
— 35.9 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Catalina, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on East Pinto Place
491 ft·27 sec·East Pinto Place
2
Turn left onto North Elkins Road
0.4 mi·1 min·North Elkins Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Edwin Road
0.3 mi·43 sec·Edwin Road
4
Turn left onto Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
0.1 mi·28 sec·Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
5
Turn right onto AZ 77
3.2 mi·4 min·Tucson-Globe Highway
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto AZ 79; US 80 Hist
0.4 mi·28 sec·State Route 79
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
36 mi·41 min·Pinal Pioneer Parkway
8
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
6.2 mi·8 min·South Pinal Parkway Avenue
9
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
16 mi·19 min·North Pinal Parkway
10
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
0.3 mi·42 sec·Oracle Junction–Florence Highway
11
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
0.5 mi·33 sec·US 80 Hist
Toward US 60 West: Apache Junction, Mesa, PhoenixUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto US 60; US 80 Hist
12 mi·15 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
22 mi·25 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.6 mi·2 min
Exit 176BToward AZ 101 Loop NorthUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
2.6 mi·3 min·Price Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
4.9 mi·5 min·Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 46Toward Chaparral RoadUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto East Chaparral Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Chaparral Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left
64 ft·4 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 1 hour and 50 minute trek, check your vehicle’s fuel levels before departing to ensure you stay within your $21 budget. Since this is a turn-heavy route, give yourself plenty of time to navigate local intersections rather than expecting high-speed momentum. Flexibility is a major advantage here; since you have zero mandatory stops, you can decide exactly where to pause for a rest based on your own schedule. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition between North Elkins Road and the other local connectors, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive requires careful navigation. Planning to leave during off-peak hours can make the local road segments much more manageable.
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 53.5 miles from Catalina, AZ, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 24 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.5 miles or 1h 6m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scottsdale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Catalina, 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 Catalina, AZ
This is one driving day of about 107.1 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Catalina, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pinal Pioneer Parkway for about 35.9 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 106 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~3m in|AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway
Turn right onto AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
4.1 mi into trip|~7m in|AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79
Turn left onto AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
62.4 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|US 80 Hist
Turn left onto US 80 Hist toward US 60 West: Apache Junction, Mesa, Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 60 West: Apache Junction, Mesa, Phoen...
7
96.9 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 176B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
106 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward Chaparral Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward Chaparral Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.34 one way
$42.67 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$22.58
$45.16
premium
$5.59
$23.57
$47.15
diesel
$5.61
$23.65
$47.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.1
0
$11.25
$5.14
Efficient EV
26.8
0
$9.37
$4.28
EV Truck/SUV
42.8
0
$14.99
$6.85
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (65% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Catalina, AZ
Late night
in Catalina on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
MST
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Scottsdale, AZ
Late night
in Scottsdale on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
89°F
Florence, AZ
54 mi in
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
2 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
2h 13m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. This route relies entirely on local roads like North Elkins Road, Edwin Road, and Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard, meaning your highway share is 0%. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on North Elkins Road is 0 miles, you should be prepared for frequent maneuvering and constant engagement with the road. The lack of highway miles gives this drive a very different feel compared to typical cross-country transit. You will be navigating local infrastructure for the duration of the 107.4-mile trip, so keep your focus sharp on the changing road conditions.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.9 mi on Pinal Pioneer Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pinal Pioneer Parkway and Superstition Freeway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway.
Driving Effort6/10
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 107.1 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 0.9 miles (AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.4 miles (US 80 Hist): Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Between Catalina, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ, road signs point toward Mesa and Phoenix.
Scottsdale is a city in the state of Arizona. Scottsdale is home to many galleries, high quality resorts, and golf courses. It is also one of the wealthier parts of the Phoenix Metro Area.
Top landmarks
•Taliesin West — Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
•Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art — art museum
•Little Red Schoolhouse — now used as the Scottsdale Historical Museum, NRHP-listed
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 107.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.9 miles on Pinal Pioneer Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Scottsdale, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.4 miles (US 80 Hist): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Scottsdale, AZ before heading back.
