This 362.5-mile drive from Douglas, AZ, to Yuma, AZ, is a substantial journey that can be completed in about 6 hours and 37 minutes. While it's technically doable in a single day, the considerable distance and turn-heavy local driving profile suggest that splitting it into two days might offer a more relaxed experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $72. You'll be traveling through the Desert Southwest region for the entirety of your journey, as both your starting and ending points are within Arizona. This route provides a good opportunity to experience the varied landscapes of southern Arizona.
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
181.2 miles from Douglas, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
118.9 mi
2h 2m
Phoenix Bypass Route
58.9 mi
58m
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.5 mi
55m
Tucson-Benson Highway
41.4 mi
43m
16th Street
21.8 mi
27m
State Route 90
17.1 mi
20m
Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
12.7 mi
15m
AZ 80
10.1 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 118.9 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Douglas, AZ and Yuma, AZ.
1
Start on East 10th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East 10th Street
2
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
0.5 mi·49 sec·G Avenue
3
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
22 mi·27 min·16th Street
4
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
0.6 mi·1 min·Old Douglas Road
5
Merge onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
10 mi·15 min·AZ 80; US 80 Hist
6
Turn left onto AZ 90
12 mi·14 min·Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
7
Continue on AZ 90
2.1 mi·2 min·State Route 90
8
Continue on AZ 90
1.0 mi·1 min·Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
9
Turn right onto AZ 90
4.4 mi·6 min·State Route 90 Bypass
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on AZ 90
3.0 mi·3 min·State Route 90
11
Continue on AZ 90
2.2 mi·3 min·South Huachuca Boulevard
12
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi·13 min·State Route 90
13
Continue on AZ 90
9.0 mi·10 min·Huachuca Boulevard
14
Continue on AZ 90
1.3 mi·2 min·South State Highway 90
15
Turn left
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
16
Merge onto I 10
41 mi·43 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi·6 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi·4 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi·51 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·35 sec
Exit 199Toward I 8 West: San Diego
21
Continue on I 8
59 mi·58 min·Phoenix Bypass Route
22
Continue on I 8
119 mi·2 hr 2 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Giss Parkway
24
Keep slight left at fork
189 ft·4 sec
25
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
251 ft·4 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
26
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Harold C Giss Parkway
27
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
120 ft·2 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
28
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.3 mi·36 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
29
Turn right onto I 8 BUS; US 80 Hist
0.3 mi·35 sec·South 4th Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
I 8 BUS
Trip Plan
Given the 6 hours and 37 minutes of estimated driving time and the turn-heavy nature of the route, consider an early morning departure from Douglas to maximize daylight hours. While a single-day trip is possible, breaking it up would allow for more flexibility and less fatigue. Plan for one significant stop along the way to break up the longest stretch of 118.9 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between the main roads, as services might be more spaced out on the local segments. The fuel cost is estimated at $72, so budget accordingly.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 181.2 miles from Douglas, AZ, or about 3h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.9 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.2 miles or 3h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 34m
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 Douglas, 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 Douglas, AZ
This is one driving day of about 362.5 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Douglas, 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 Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 118.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 48.4 and 182.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
48.4 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass
Turn right onto AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
80.2 mi into trip|~1h 45m in
Turn left toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
5
80.8 mi into trip|~1h 47m in|I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway
Merge onto I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
132 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
182.7 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 8 West: San Diego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 199
Toward I 8 West: San Diego
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.21 one way
$144.43 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg127 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$76.42
$152.85
premium
$5.59
$79.79
$159.59
diesel
$5.61
$80.04
$160.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$97–$122
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.8
1
$38.06
$17.40
Efficient EV
90.6
1
$31.72
$14.50
EV Truck/SUV
145
1
$50.75
$23.20
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% 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
Douglas, AZ
Evening
in Douglas on Saturday
Local time
6:08 PM
MST
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yuma, AZ
Evening
in Yuma on Saturday
Local time
6:08 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.
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
40 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
6h 37m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Saguaro National Park
National Park
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 112.5
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
It was a journey of conquest filled with exploration, wonder - and cruelty. Inspired by tales of vast cities of gold, 339 European soldiers and over a thousand Aztec allies embarked on an epic journey...
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 187.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only about 15% of the journey on highways. The majority of your time will be spent on local roads, including stretches of the Blue Star Memorial Highway, Phoenix Bypass Route, and Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 118.9 miles on the Blue Star Memorial Highway, so be prepared for frequent changes in direction and speed. This isn't a high-speed interstate cruise; rather, it's a more intimate exploration of the local road network.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.9 mi on Blue Star Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 48.4 miles in near AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass.
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 362.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 48.4 miles (AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 80.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.8 miles (I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
On the drive from Douglas, AZ to Yuma, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscon along the way.
Douglas is a town in Cochise County, Southeast Arizona. While known primarily as a gateway to Mexico, its small downtown core has a few well-preserved examples of early 20th-century architecture. The town is also noted as the temporary residence of Thornton Wilder, who wrote most of his classic 1967 novel The Eighth Day while based here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 37m. Total distance: 362.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 37m 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 118.9 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 48.4 miles (AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 80.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.8 miles (I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Saguaro National Park, Coronado National Memorial and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 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.
