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Trip from Lake Havasu City, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 3m

Distance

213.4 mi

343 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 50m ★
6 AM
4h 3m
8 AM
4h 29m
10 AM
4h 13m
12 PM
4h 10m
3 PM
4h 14m
5 PM
4h 28m
8 PM
3h 56m

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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city in Mohave County, Arizona, United States

Lake Havasu City, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Scottsdale, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 220.9 miles across the Desert Southwest, this journey from Lake Havasu City to Scottsdale takes approximately 4 hours and 4 minutes to complete. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $44 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Navigating through local roads like Smoketree Avenue North and North Acoma Boulevard, as well as the Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway, offers a unique alternative to standard interstate travel. It is a straightforward trip that rewards drivers who prefer local scenery over high-speed transit. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of pace, the route provides a clear, reliable path through the Arizona desert landscape.

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

106.7 miles from Lake Havasu City, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m 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
Papago Freeway 21.2 mi 24m
Riverside Drive 7.1 mi 8m
Rio Vista Highway 4.4 mi 5m
East McDowell Road 3.3 mi 5m
North Acoma Boulevard 3.1 mi 5m
North Central Boulevard 3.1 mi 3m
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 Scottsdale, 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

1.4 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.1 mi · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147 Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East
21

Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

2.6 mi · 3 min · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 3 Toward AZ 143 South: Washington Street, McDowell Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward McDowell Road Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24

Merge onto AZ 143

478 ft · 9 sec · Hohokam Expressway
25

Turn right onto East McDowell Road

3.3 mi · 5 min · East McDowell Road
Use the left lane.
26

Turn left onto North Scottsdale Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · North Scottsdale Road
Use the left lane.
27

Turn right onto East Osborn Road

0.5 mi · 57 sec · East Osborn Road
Use the right lane.
28

Enter roundabout onto East Osborn Road

90 ft · 1 sec · East Osborn Road
29

Continue on East Osborn Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Osborn Road
30

Turn left onto North Hayden Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · North Hayden Road
Use the left lane.
31

Turn right onto East Chaparral Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Chaparral Road
Use the right lane.
32

Turn right

64 ft · 4 sec
33

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a 4-hour and 4-minute drive, plan for at least one deliberate stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the journey. Starting your trip early in the day is recommended to ensure you have plenty of daylight to navigate the turn-heavy segments comfortably. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $44 estimate assumes standard conditions, and local roads can sometimes lead to fluctuating consumption rates. Because you are staying entirely on local routes, take advantage of the flexibility this provides to pause whenever you see a safe place to pull over. Specifically, pay close attention to the transitions between Smoketree Avenue North and the Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway, as these local junctions can be easy to miss if you are not tracking your navigation closely.

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 106.7 miles from Lake Havasu City, AZ, or about 2h 4m 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 47 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 106.7 miles or 2h 4m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 13m

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 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 213.4 miles and 4h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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.

town in La Paz County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Quartzsite, AZ

107 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

Parker, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Salome, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.7 miles from Lake Havasu City, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Top Restaurant

Alo Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Scottsdale, Arizona

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 213.4

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14808784172

Visit website

China Red Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Litchfield Park, Arizona

2.9 mi

Alo Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 213.4

Scottsdale, Arizona

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14808784172

Visit website

China Red Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 182.9

Litchfield Park, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16235357599

Visit website

Otro Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 198.2

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+16022660831

Visit website

The Little Gym of Litchfield Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 182.9

Goodyear, Arizona

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+16232505718

Visit website

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 website

Enchanted Island Amusement Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 198.2

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+16022541200

Visit website

Lake 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 website

Imagine 3D Mini Golf

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 213.4

Scottsdale, Arizona

Hours: 2–9 pm

+14802917906

Visit website

Arizona Science Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 198.2

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+16027162000

Visit website

Dorrance DOME

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 198.2

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

TeenyTown Playland

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 182.9

Litchfield Park, Arizona

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+16237766002

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 204.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.
8
201.5 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East

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 147 Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
8
201.9 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
204.5 mi into trip | ~3h 47m in

Take the exit toward AZ 143 South: Washington Street, McDowell 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 3 Toward AZ 143 South: Washington Street, McDowel...
7
204.8 mi into trip | ~3h 47m in

Keep slight left at fork toward McDowell Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward McDowell Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.51 one way

$85.02 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $44.99 $89.98
premium $5.59 $46.97 $93.95
diesel $5.61 $47.12 $94.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 64 0 $22.41 $10.24
Efficient EV 53.4 0 $18.67 $8.54
EV Truck/SUV 85.4 1 $29.88 $13.66

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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

Lake Havasu City, AZ

Night in Lake Havasu City on Saturday

Local time

9:47 PM

MST

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Scottsdale, AZ

Night in Scottsdale on Saturday

Local time

9:47 PM

MST

Current temp

88°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

4 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

4h 3m 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 tactile, engaging experience behind the wheel, as this route consists entirely of local roads rather than major interstates. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend your time navigating technical turns and local thoroughfares rather than cruising on monotonous, straight stretches. The drive demands your focus as you transition between local boulevards and the Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway. Because the road is turn-heavy, you will find it requires more active steering than a typical highway trek. This character makes the 220.9-mile journey feel more personal and connected to the terrain, providing a distinct contrast to the fast-paced, high-speed travel often found on larger, more developed road systems.

Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 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?

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 3.3 miles in near AZ 95 / Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 213.4 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 3.3 miles (AZ 95 / Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 201.5 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.9 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Arriving in Scottsdale, AZ

Full guide →

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.

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 4h 3m. Total distance: 213.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

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 Scottsdale, 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 3.3 miles (AZ 95 / Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 201.5 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 201.9 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Scottsdale, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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