Origin
Lake of the Woods, AZ
Night in Lake of the Woods on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
MST
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake of the Woods, 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
3h 42m
Distance
176.2 mi
283 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 30m
★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 52m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 53m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake of the Woods, AZ
Allan González
Scottsdale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a 176.2-mile journey from Lake of the Woods to Scottsdale, Arizona, a drive that will take approximately 3 hours and 42 minutes. This route is well-suited for a single day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $35, it's an economical option for exploring more of the Desert Southwest. The drive primarily utilizes major roads like the Globe-Show Low Highway and the Superstition Freeway, offering a straightforward path to Scottsdale. You'll experience a turn-heavy local drive feel, so be prepared for frequent adjustments.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.1 miles from Lake of the Woods, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Show Low Highway | 83.5 mi | 1h 35m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 42.9 mi | 55m |
| Superstition Freeway | 21.9 mi | 25m |
| Pima Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| West White Mountain Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Price Freeway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| South White Mountain Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Globe-Show Low Highway
— 83.5 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake of the Woods, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 260
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
West White Mountain Boulevard
2
Continue on AZ 260
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South White Mountain Road
3
Turn left onto East Woolford
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Woolford
4
Continue on South Central Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Central Avenue
5
Turn left onto West Whipple Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Whipple Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Deuce of Clubs
7
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
83 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Globe-Show Low Highway
8
Turn right onto US 60
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Ash Street
9
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Hill Street
10
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Oak Street
11
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Broad Street
12
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
13
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
14
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Live Oak Street
15
Continue on US 60
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
2 min
Exit 176B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Price Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 46
Toward Chaparral Road
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto East Chaparral Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left
64 ft
·
4 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3 hour and 42-minute duration, this drive is best tackled as a single-day excursion. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in choosing your break point. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 83.5-mile stretch on the Globe-Show Low Highway, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $35, so factor that into your budget.
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 88.1 miles from Lake of the Woods, AZ, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.5 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 39 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.1 miles or 1h 46m 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 4m
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 of the Woods, 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 of the Woods, AZ
This is one driving day of about 176.2 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Lake of the Woods, 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 Globe-Show Low Highway for about 83.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.1 miles from Lake of the Woods, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Globe-Show Low Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 175.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
5.6 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
East Woolford
Turn left onto East Woolford
Navigation decision point
5
7.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260 / West Deuce of Clubs
At end of road, turn left onto US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260 / West Deuce of Clubs
Navigation decision point
7
165.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 176B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
5
167.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
|
AZ 101 Loop / Price Freeway
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop / Price Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
175.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m 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
$35.10 one way
$70.20 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $37.15 | $74.30 |
| premium | $5.59 | $38.78 | $77.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.90 | $77.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.9 | 0 | $18.50 | $8.46 |
| Efficient EV | 44.1 | 0 | $15.42 | $7.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.67 | $11.28 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Scottsdale, AZ
Night in Scottsdale on Saturday
Local time
9:30 PM
MST
Current temp
92°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
24 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
3h 42m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 133.9
View on nps.gov
Tonto National Monument
National Monument
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$10
near mile 109.6
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 offers a dynamic driving experience, characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive.' While 19% of the journey is on highways, much of the 176.2 miles involves navigating varied local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.5 miles along the Globe-Show Low Highway, which provides a period of consistent travel before transitioning. Expect a mix of speeds and road conditions as you move from the more open highways to the more winding local segments.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.5 mi on Globe-Show Low 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 5.6 miles in near East Woolford.
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 3h 42m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (East Woolford): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles (US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260 / West Deuce of Clubs): Navigation decision point; at 165.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
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 3h 42m. Total distance: 176.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (19%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.5 miles on Globe-Show Low 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (East Woolford): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles (US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260 / West Deuce of Clubs): Navigation decision point; at 165.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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