Cottonwood, AZ to Yuma, AZ is 483.5 miles and takes about 9h 31m via Blue Star Memorial Highway, Arizona Veterans Highway, and Purple Heart Trail, with a fuel budget near $96 and an overnight recommendation. This trip traverses the Desert Southwest, offering a journey through arid landscapes. With a recommended two-day drive, you'll have ample time to experience the changing scenery without feeling rushed. Plan for a comfortable pace, breaking up the nearly 10-hour drive into manageable segments.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
241.8 miles from Cottonwood, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
113.8 mi
1h 57m
Arizona Veterans Highway
93 mi
1h 33m
Purple Heart Trail
61.2 mi
1h 2m
Winslow–Kayenta Highway
55.5 mi
1h 4m
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
32.2 mi
37m
Arizona State Highway 85
28.5 mi
33m
Black Canyon Freeway
13.9 mi
14m
Arizona State Highway 264
11.7 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 113.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood, AZ and Yuma, AZ.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi·42 sec·this road
2
Continue on this road
498 ft·27 sec·this road
3
Turn left onto N4
6.4 mi·15 min·Navajo Route 4
4
Continue on Indian Route 4
1.8 mi·4 min·Indian Route 4
5
Continue on N4
4.0 mi·9 min·Navajo Route 4
6
Turn left onto N65
1.9 mi·4 min·Navajo Route 65
7
Continue on Indian Route 65
2.8 mi·6 min·Indian Route 65
8
Continue on N65
1.3 mi·3 min·Navajo Route 65
9
Continue on H65
8.4 mi·20 min·Hopi Route 65
10
Continue on Indian Route 60
6.6 mi·16 min·Indian Route 60
11
Turn right onto AZ 264
12 mi·14 min·Arizona State Highway 264
12
Turn left onto AZ 87
17 mi·19 min·Winslow–Kayenta Highway
13
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi·4 min·AZ 87
14
Continue on AZ 87
39 mi·44 min·Winslow–Kayenta Highway
15
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
16
Merge onto I 40; US 180
61 mi·1 hr 2 min·Purple Heart Trail
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
19
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi·1 hr 33 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
20
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
23
Continue on I 17
3.4 mi·3 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·38 sec
Exit 221Toward AZ 303 Loop SouthUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn right onto AZ 303 Loop
0.6 mi·1 min·AZ 303 Loop
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.6 mi·45 sec
27
Continue on this road
411 ft·7 sec·this road
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·21 sec
29
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
0.2 mi·12 sec·Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
30
Take the exit
0.7 mi·47 sec
31
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·19 sec·this road
32
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
32 mi·36 min·Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 104BToward I 10 West: Los AngelesUse the slight right lane.
34
Merge onto I 10
11 mi·11 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 112Toward AZ 85: Yuma, San DiegoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on AZ 85
3.6 mi·5 min·South Oglesby Road
37
Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist
1.0 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
38
Continue on AZ 85
28 mi·33 min·Arizona State Highway 85
39
Take the exit onto AZ 85
0.6 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Toward AZ-85 South: Gila Bend
40
Continue on AZ 85
0.3 mi·43 sec·Arizona State Highway 85
41
Continue on AZ 85
2.4 mi·5 min·East Pima Street
42
Take the exit onto I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 8 West: San Diego
43
Merge onto I 8
114 mi·1 hr 57 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
44
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Giss Parkway
45
Keep slight left at fork
189 ft·4 sec
46
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
251 ft·4 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
47
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Harold C Giss Parkway
48
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
120 ft·2 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
49
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.3 mi·36 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
50
Turn right onto I 8 BUS; US 80 Hist
0.3 mi·35 sec·South 4th Avenue
51
Arrive at destination
I 8 BUS
Trip Plan
Given the 9.5-hour duration, splitting this drive over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early on your first day to cover a significant portion, perhaps around 250-300 miles, allowing for a relaxed evening stop. Your second day will then involve the remaining miles, concluding in Yuma. Watch for fuel stops, as the longest stretch is over 100 miles, and the 'turn-heavy' nature can sometimes make it harder to find services immediately off the main path. Be mindful of the $96 fuel cost when budgeting for your trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 241.8 miles from Cottonwood, AZ, or about 5h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.8 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 106 miles or 2h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 241.8 miles or 5h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 241.8 miles or 5h 4m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 28m
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 Cottonwood, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cottonwood, AZ
Aim for roughly 242 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Yuma, AZ
Aim for roughly 242 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 106 miles from Cottonwood, AZ.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 113.8 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 166.7 and 330.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
166.7 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
7
283.7 mi into trip|~5h 47m in
Take the exit toward AZ 303 Loop South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 221
Toward AZ 303 Loop South
6
284.1 mi into trip|~5h 47m in|AZ 303 Loop
Turn right onto AZ 303 Loop
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
318.9 mi into trip|~6h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 104B
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
8
330.4 mi into trip|~6h 41m in
Take the exit toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 112
Toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$96.32 one way
$192.64 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg169 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$101.93
$203.87
premium
$5.59
$106.43
$212.85
diesel
$5.61
$106.75
$213.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$96
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$226–$336
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 169.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
145
1
$50.77
$23.21
Efficient EV
120.9
1
$42.31
$19.34
EV Truck/SUV
193.4
2
$67.69
$30.94
Gas CO2
169 kg
EV CO2
57 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
Cottonwood, AZ
Evening
in Cottonwood on Saturday
Local time
7:15 PM
MDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yuma, AZ
Evening
in Yuma on Saturday
Local time
6:15 PM
MST
Current temp
87°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
18 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
9h 31m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
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...
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$25
near mile 150.7
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$25
near mile 150.7
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...
15 mi from route
~36 min detour
$10
near mile 217.6
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$25
near mile 150.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction rather than a straight interstate cruise. With only 26% of the drive on highways, expect to navigate a variety of road types. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 113.8 miles on the Blue Star Memorial Highway, offering a more consistent pace before transitioning to more varied local roads. This profile suggests a drive that requires attention to navigation and a willingness to adapt to changing road conditions.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.8 mi on Blue Star Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 166.7 miles in.
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 27 significant decision points across 483.5 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 166.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 283.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 284.1 miles (AZ 303 Loop): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cottonwood, AZ and Yuma, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff, Phoenix and San Diego.
Flagstaff
166.6 mi in|~3h 47m
Phoenix
166.7 mi in|~3h 48m
San Diego
330.4 mi in|~6h 41m
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
9h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.8 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 242 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Yuma, 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. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 166.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 283.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 284.1 miles (AZ 303 Loop): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.5 hours each way, a round trip means 19.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Yuma, AZ before the return drive.
