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Trip from Ganado, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 27m

Distance

260.3 mi

419 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 14m ★
6 AM
5h 27m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 38m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Ganado, AZ, AZ

Ganado, AZ

Denitsa Kireva

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Scottsdale, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 324 miles, this journey from Ganado to Scottsdale takes you across the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect a travel time of approximately 4 hours and 53 minutes, making it a manageable, albeit full, day trip. You will primarily navigate the Purple Heart Trail, I-40, and Navajo Boulevard during your trek. With an estimated fuel cost of $63, it is wise to budget accordingly before you head out. While the route is doable in one day, the length suggests you should be prepared for steady time behind the wheel. Given the desert setting, ensure your vehicle is well-maintained for the nearly five-hour haul.

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

130.2 miles from Ganado, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
South Beeline Highway 72.8 mi 1h 26m
Purple Heart Trail 45.7 mi 45m
US 191 37.8 mi 56m
Heber Road 30.9 mi 36m
Payson-Show Low Highway 24.2 mi 30m
Hwy 260 15.9 mi 22m
Payson-Heber Highway 12.7 mi 17m
West 3rd Street North 4.9 mi 6m
Longest stretch: South Beeline Highway — 72.8 mi, about 1h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ganado, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.

1

Start on N9021

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Post Office Road
2

Continue on US 191

38 mi · 56 min · US 191
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
4

Merge onto I 40

46 mi · 45 min · Purple Heart Trail
5

Take the exit onto AZ 77

0.4 mi · 50 sec · AZ 77
Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber
6

Turn left onto I 40 Bus; AZ 77; US 66 Hist

1.2 mi · 2 min · Navajo Boulevard
7

Continue on US 180; AZ 77

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Holbrook-Springerville Highway
8

Continue on AZ 77

1.6 mi · 2 min · Show Low-Holbrook Highway
9

Turn right onto AZ 377

31 mi · 36 min · Heber Road
10

Turn straight onto AZ 377

2.9 mi · 3 min · Heber-Holbrook Highway
11

At end of road, turn right onto AZ 277

4.9 mi · 6 min · West 3rd Street North
12

Continue on AZ 277

1.9 mi · 3 min · Highway 277
13

At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Highway 260
14

Continue on AZ 260

16 mi · 22 min · Hwy 260
15

Continue on AZ 260

13 mi · 17 min · Payson-Heber Highway
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on AZ 260

24 mi · 30 min · Payson-Show Low Highway
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn left onto AZ 87

73 mi · 1 hr 26 min · South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto East McDowell Road

2.6 mi · 3 min · East McDowell Road
19

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
20

Merge onto AZ 101 Loop

2.3 mi · 2 min · Pima Freeway
21

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec
Exit 46 Toward Chaparral Road Use the slight right lane.
22

Turn left onto East Chaparral Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Chaparral Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
23

Turn left

64 ft · 4 sec
24

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For the best experience, plan for at least one stop to break up the nearly five-hour duration. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive, departing early in the morning will help you navigate the more technical sections while visibility is at its peak. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $63 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's performance and local pump prices. Since you have a single planned stop, use that time to stretch and refresh before tackling the remaining miles. A practical tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the turns on Navajo Boulevard before you depart, as the lack of highway miles means you will be relying on local signage throughout the trip.

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 130.2 miles from Ganado, AZ, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.8 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 57 miles or 1h 15m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 130.2 miles or 2h 42m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 29m

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 Ganado, 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 Ganado, AZ

This is one driving day of about 260.3 miles and 5h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Ganado, 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 South Beeline Highway for about 72.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Gila County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Payson, AZ

130 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.

Popular next leg

Payson, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ

78.4 mi · 1h 34m

Pacing Suggestions

Holbrook, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Snowflake, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 130.2 miles from Ganado, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before South Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Desert Dog Offroad Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Fountain Hills, Arizona

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+14808373966

Visit website

Imagine 3D Mini Golf

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Scottsdale, Arizona

Hours: 2–9 pm

+14802917906

Visit website

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 84 and 259.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
84 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | AZ 77

Take the exit onto AZ 77 toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South...
4
121.5 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | AZ 277 / West 3rd Street North

At end of road, turn right onto AZ 277 / West 3rd Street North

Navigation decision point

4
128.3 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in | AZ 260 / Highway 260

At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260 / Highway 260

Navigation decision point

5
256.6 mi into trip | ~5h 21m in

Take the ramp toward AZ 101 Loop North

Navigation decision point

Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
259.2 mi into trip | ~5h 24m 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

$51.86 one way

$103.71 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 91 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $54.88 $109.76
premium $5.59 $57.30 $114.59
diesel $5.61 $57.47 $114.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$52

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 91.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 78.1 0 $27.33 $12.49
Efficient EV 65.1 0 $22.78 $10.41
EV Truck/SUV 104.1 1 $36.44 $16.66

Gas CO2

91 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 20, 2026

Origin

Ganado, AZ

Late night in Ganado on Tuesday

Local time

3:24 AM

MDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Scottsdale, AZ

Late night in Scottsdale on Tuesday

Local time

2:24 AM

MST

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

66°F

Payson, AZ

130 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

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

43 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

5h 27m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, you should anticipate a more technical experience navigating local roads and secondary routes. The drive lacks long, uninterrupted highway stretches, meaning you will be making frequent adjustments to your speed and steering. As you transition from the high desert of Ganado toward the Scottsdale area, the road conditions shift frequently, requiring a steady hand. This is not a route for cruising on autopilot; it is a journey that keeps you engaged with the road surface and local traffic patterns.

Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.8 mi on South Beeline Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 84 miles in near AZ 77.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 27m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 84 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.5 miles (AZ 277 / West 3rd Street North): Navigation decision point; at 128.3 miles (AZ 260 / Highway 260): Navigation decision point.

Elevation Profile

High-altitude sections with notable climbs

6,510 ft 1,259 ft

Total Climb

502 ft

Total Descent

5,753 ft

Highest Point

6,510 ft

~18.6 mi in

Elevation Range

5,251 ft

Notable High Points

5,906 ft at ~111.6 miles +251 ft prominence

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 Ganado, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Heber along the way.

Heber

84 mi in | ~1h 42m | via AZ 77

About the Cities

Starting in Ganado, AZ

Full guide →

Top landmarks

  • • Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site — human settlement in Arizona, United States of America

Arriving in Scottsdale, AZ

Full guide →

Founded 1894

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

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 5h 27m. Total distance: 260.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (22%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 72.8 miles on South Beeline 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.

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 84 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 121.5 miles (AZ 277 / West 3rd Street North): Navigation decision point; at 128.3 miles (AZ 260 / Highway 260): Navigation decision point.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Scottsdale, AZ before the return drive.

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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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