Sacaton Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Lake Havasu City, AZ to Flowing Wells, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 35m
Distance
308.5 mi
496 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 22m
★
6 AM
5h 35m
8 AM
6h 2m
10 AM
5h 44m
12 PM
5h 42m
3 PM
5h 46m
5 PM
6h 0m
8 PM
5h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Flowing Wells, AZ
Brent Singleton
Trip Overview
This 308.5-mile journey from Lake Havasu City, AZ, to Flowing Wells, AZ, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 35 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of routes, primarily using the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway and the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, with about 12% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $61. Expect a more local driving feel rather than an interstate cruise. This route is entirely within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent regional experience.
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
154.2 miles from Lake Havasu City, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 104.7 mi | 1h 45m |
| Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway | 54.6 mi | 1h 3m |
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 52.3 mi | 53m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| Papago Freeway | 24.2 mi | 27m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| Riverside Drive | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Rio Vista Highway | 4.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 104.7 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Havasu City, AZ and Flowing Wells, AZ.
1
Start on Mescal Loop
51 ft
·
7 sec
·
Mescal Loop
2
Turn left onto Smoketree Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Smoketree Avenue North
3
Turn left onto North Acoma Boulevard
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
North Acoma Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto AZ 95
17 mi
·
20 min
·
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on AZ 95
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Riverside Drive
6
Turn straight onto AZ 95
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
7
Continue on AZ 95
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Rio Vista Highway
8
Turn left onto AZ 95
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
California Avenue
9
Continue on AZ 95
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
10
Continue on AZ 95
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
11
Continue on AZ 95
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
North Central Boulevard
12
Turn left onto I 10 BUS
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
13
Turn right onto I 10 Bus
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Riggles Road
14
Take the ramp onto I 10 Business
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10 Business
15
Merge onto I 10
105 mi
·
1 hr 45 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 10
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
18
Continue on I 10
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 10; US 60
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 10
52 mi
·
53 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 252
Toward El Camino Del Cerro, Ruthrauff Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto North Casa Grande Highway
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Casa Grande Highway
25
Turn left onto West Ruthrauff Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Ruthrauff Road
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right
139 ft
·
10 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 35-minute duration, this trip is comfortably achievable in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time and avoid potential afternoon heat. With only one recommended stop, you'll have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 104.7-mile stretch on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, as services might be more spread out. Planning your fuel stops strategically will ensure a smoother journey to Flowing Wells.
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 154.2 miles from Lake Havasu City, AZ, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.7 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 68 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.2 miles or 2h 52m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flowing Wells, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Havasu City, 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 Lake Havasu City, AZ
This is one driving day of about 308.5 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Lake Havasu City, 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 Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 104.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 154.2 miles from Lake Havasu City, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Bouse Wash Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Bouse Wash Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Burnt Well Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Burnt Well Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Sacaton Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Xpress Fuel Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pride Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Danny's Big Rig Resort
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pride Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.5 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.7 mi from route
Jack Hardie Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+19284538686
Visit websiteEnchanted Island Amusement Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
mile 198.3
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: 11 am–4 pm
+16022541200
Visit websiteLake Havasu Museum of History & Havasu Rocks
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Hours: 11 am–3 pm
+19288544938
Visit websiteVillago Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
mile 242.4
Casa Grande, Arizona
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+15204218600
Visit websiteArizona Science Center
3.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
mile 198.3
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm
+16027162000
Visit websiteDorrance DOME
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
mile 198.3
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm
Visit websiteSundance Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
mile 176.3
Buckeye, Arizona
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 306.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Acoma Boulevard
Turn left onto North Acoma Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
3.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
AZ 95 / Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
Turn left onto AZ 95 / Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
75 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
203.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
|
I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
306.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 32m in
Take the exit toward El Camino Del Cerro, Ruthrauff Road
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 252
Toward El Camino Del Cerro, Ruthrauff Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.46 one way
$122.91 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $65.04 | $130.08 |
| premium | $5.59 | $67.91 | $135.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $68.11 | $136.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.6 | 1 | $32.39 | $14.81 |
| Efficient EV | 77.1 | 0 | $26.99 | $12.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.4 | 1 | $43.19 | $19.74 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Origin
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Evening in Lake Havasu City on Saturday
Local time
6:15 PM
MST
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Flowing Wells, AZ
Evening in Flowing Wells on Saturday
Local time
6:15 PM
MST
Current temp
89°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
5 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 35m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
National Monument
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 244.7
View on nps.gov
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
$25
near mile 308.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting frequent changes in direction rather than long, straight stretches. While only 12% of the route is on highways, you'll experience a significant 104.7-mile segment on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. The Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway also plays a part in connecting these segments. Be prepared for a drive that requires more active navigation, with a profile that leans towards local roads and intersections rather than high-speed cruising.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.7 mi on Pearl Harbor 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North Acoma Boulevard.
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 308.5 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.2 miles (North Acoma Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (AZ 95 / Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 75 miles (I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Lake Havasu City, AZ
Full guide →Lake Havasu City is a city in Mohave County in western Arizona. It is known best for being the home of the 1831 London Bridge, which Robert McCulloch, the founder of the city, bought from the British government in 1967.
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 35m. Total distance: 308.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.7 miles on Pearl Harbor 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 Flowing Wells, 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 0.2 miles (North Acoma Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (AZ 95 / Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 75 miles (I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Saguaro National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Flowing Wells, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Flowing Wells, AZ
More trips to Flowing Wells, AZ
Explore more options from Lake Havasu City, AZ or browse trips ending in Flowing Wells, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.