This 369.5-mile journey from Holbrook, AZ to Yuma, AZ is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take about 7 hours and 16 minutes of driving time. Designed as a single-day trip, it navigates through the Desert Southwest region, staying within Arizona for its entirety. You'll primarily be on roads like the Blue Star Memorial Highway and South Beeline Highway. With a projected fuel cost of $74 and a need for about two stops, this route offers a straightforward, turn-heavy local drive experience. It's a good option if you're looking for a solid day's travel without needing to break it up overnight.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
184.7 miles from Holbrook, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
113.8 mi
1h 57m
South Beeline Highway
73.1 mi
1h 26m
Heber Road
30.9 mi
36m
Arizona State Highway 85
28.5 mi
33m
Payson-Show Low Highway
24.2 mi
30m
Papago Freeway
21 mi
24m
Hwy 260
15.9 mi
22m
Payson-Heber Highway
12.7 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 113.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Holbrook, AZ and Yuma, AZ.
1
Start on I 40 Bus; AZ 77; US 66 Hist
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Navajo Boulevard
2
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.5 mi·56 sec·Holbrook-Springerville Highway
3
Continue on AZ 77
1.6 mi·2 min·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
4
Turn right onto AZ 377
31 mi·36 min·Heber Road
5
Turn straight onto AZ 377
2.9 mi·3 min·Heber-Holbrook Highway
6
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 277
4.9 mi·6 min·West 3rd Street North
7
Continue on AZ 277
1.9 mi·3 min·Highway 277
8
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260
0.2 mi·19 sec·Highway 260
9
Continue on AZ 260
16 mi·22 min·Hwy 260
10
Continue on AZ 260
13 mi·17 min·Payson-Heber Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on AZ 260
24 mi·30 min·Payson-Show Low Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto AZ 87
73 mi·1 hr 26 min·South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on AZ 87
0.5 mi·47 sec·North Country Club Drive
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
15
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
12 mi·13 min·Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 WestUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 10
1.3 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
19
Continue on I 10
20 mi·22 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 10
12 mi·12 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 112Toward AZ 85: Yuma, San DiegoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on AZ 85
3.6 mi·5 min·South Oglesby Road
23
Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist
1.0 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
24
Continue on AZ 85
28 mi·33 min·Arizona State Highway 85
25
Take the exit onto AZ 85
0.6 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Toward AZ-85 South: Gila Bend
26
Continue on AZ 85
0.3 mi·43 sec·Arizona State Highway 85
27
Continue on AZ 85
2.4 mi·5 min·East Pima Street
28
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
29
Merge onto I 8
114 mi·1 hr 57 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Giss Parkway
31
Keep slight left at fork
189 ft·4 sec
32
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
251 ft·4 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
33
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Harold C Giss Parkway
34
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
120 ft·2 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
35
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.3 mi·36 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
36
Turn right onto I 8 BUS; US 80 Hist
0.3 mi·35 sec·South 4th Avenue
37
Arrive at destination
I 8 BUS
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 16-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Holbrook, AZ, to maximize daylight. With two planned stops and a significant portion on local roads, pacing yourself is key; aim for one stop around the halfway point to refuel and stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 113.8-mile stretch on Blue Star Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. The $74 fuel estimate is a good budget baseline, but always have a little extra for unexpected detours or longer breaks.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 184.7 miles from Holbrook, AZ, or about 3h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.8 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 81 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.7 miles or 3h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 13m
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 Holbrook, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Holbrook, AZ
This is one driving day of about 369.5 miles and 7h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Holbrook, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 169.5 and 216.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
169.5 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Take the exit toward AZ 202 Loop West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
5
169.9 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
181.9 mi into trip|~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 West
5
182.9 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|I 10 / Papago Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
216.4 mi into trip|~4h 26m 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
$73.61 one way
$147.22 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg129 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$77.90
$155.80
premium
$5.59
$81.33
$162.67
diesel
$5.61
$81.58
$163.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
110.9
1
$38.80
$17.74
Efficient EV
92.4
1
$32.33
$14.78
EV Truck/SUV
147.8
1
$51.73
$23.65
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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
Holbrook, AZ
Evening
in Holbrook on Saturday
Local time
6:10 PM
MST
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yuma, AZ
Evening
in Yuma on Saturday
Local time
6:10 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
11 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
7h 16m 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.
Petrified Forest National Park
National Park
A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood...
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
$10
near mile 140.1
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' profile for this 369.5-mile route, with only 22% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 113.8 miles along the Blue Star Memorial Highway. This suggests a driving experience that involves more frequent navigation changes and potentially slower speeds compared to a pure interstate cruise. You'll be spending a significant amount of time on local roads, including Heber Road, which will likely offer a more intimate connection with the landscape as you pass through.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
37 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?
8/10
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 169.5 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 369.5 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 169.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 169.9 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Holbrook, AZ to Yuma, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward San Diego along the way.
Holbrook is a town on Route 66 in the Mogollon Rim in Eastern Arizona, once known as the "town too rough for women and churches." The town makes a convenient base for visiting Petrified Forest National Park.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 16m. Total distance: 369.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 16m 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.
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 169.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 169.9 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Petrified Forest National Park and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 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.
