Origin
Coolidge, AZ
Night in Coolidge on Saturday
Local time
11:03 PM
MST
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Coolidge, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
51.3 mi
83 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 6m
★
6 AM
1h 11m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 15m
12 PM
1h 14m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 22m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Coolidge, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Scottsdale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 51.3-mile drive from Coolidge, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 11 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $10, it's an economical option for exploring the Desert Southwest. The route is primarily highway-focused, utilizing major roads like Junction I-10-Mesa Highway and Price Freeway. You'll experience a straightforward journey with no designated stops, making it ideal for those who prefer to reach their destination efficiently. This route is perfect for a quick transition between two points within Arizona.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Junction I-10-Mesa Highway | 24.7 mi | 33m |
| Price Freeway | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| South Arizona Avenue | 5.8 mi | 9m |
| Pima Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| Santan Freeway | 2 mi | 2m |
| North Arizona Boulevard | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| East Chaparral Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Central Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
— 24.7 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coolidge, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on West Central Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Central Avenue
2
Turn right onto AZ 87; AZ 287
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Arizona Boulevard
3
Turn left onto AZ 87
25 mi
·
33 min
·
Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
4
Continue on AZ 87; BIA 56
226 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Hunt Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto AZ 87
5.8 mi
·
9 min
·
South Arizona Avenue
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Santan Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 50A
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Price Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 46
Toward Chaparral Road
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto East Chaparral Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
13
Turn left
64 ft
·
4 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.6 miles from Coolidge, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 26.8 and 50.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
26.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
AZ 87 / South Arizona Avenue
Turn right onto AZ 87 / South Arizona Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
32.6 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Turn left toward AZ 202 Loop West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
5
32.9 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
34.9 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 50A
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
50.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
$10.22 one way
$20.44 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $10.82 | $21.63 |
| premium | $5.59 | $11.29 | $22.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.33 | $22.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.39 | $2.46 |
| Efficient EV | 12.8 | 0 | $4.49 | $2.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.18 | $3.28 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Scottsdale, AZ
Night in Scottsdale on Saturday
Local time
11:03 PM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
32 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
1h 11m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 51.3-mile journey, with 79% of the route on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 24.7 miles along Junction I-10-Mesa Highway. As you travel, you'll transition from roads like South Arizona Avenue onto the Price Freeway and then connect with the I-10 system, indicating a progression through more developed areas. This route offers a consistent driving experience, largely characterized by efficient, multi-lane travel.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 24.7 mi on Junction I-10-Mesa Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Junction I-10-Mesa Highway and Price Freeway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 26.8 miles in near AZ 87 / South Arizona Avenue.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 51.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 26.8 miles (AZ 87 / South Arizona Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.9 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Scottsdale, AZ
Full guide →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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 11m. Total distance: 51.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 24.7 miles on Junction I-10-Mesa Highway. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 26.8 miles (AZ 87 / South Arizona Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 32.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.9 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Scottsdale, AZ before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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