LeChee to Scottsdale is 206.5 miles and takes about 3h 39m via Arizona Veterans Highway and Purple Heart Trail, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. It's primarily a surface road experience, meaning you'll likely encounter more local traffic and varied speed limits than on a pure interstate. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
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
103.2 miles from LeChee, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between LeChee, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on Cooper Town Road
0.1 mi·33 sec·Cooper Town Road
2
Turn left onto West Winslow Industrial Spur
0.8 mi·1 min·West Winslow Industrial Spur
3
Continue on I 40 Bus Spur
1.1 mi·2 min·West 3rd Street
4
Turn left onto I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
0.1 mi·17 sec·Hipkoe Drive
5
Take the ramp onto I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
0.3 mi·44 sec·I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
6
Merge onto I 40; US 180; AZ 99
56 mi·56 min·Purple Heart Trail
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
9
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi·1 hr 33 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
10
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 17
10 mi·11 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 214CToward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop EastUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward AZ 101 Loop EastUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
22 mi·25 min·Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 46Toward Chaparral RoadUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
0.6 mi·1 min·East Chaparral Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
Turn left
64 ft·4 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time under four hours, this route is perfect for a single-day trip, offering plenty of flexibility. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. Given the 206.5-mile distance, you'll only need one fuel stop to stay within the estimated $41 budget, so plan this around the halfway point or when you see your first major services. Pay attention to posted speed limits, as much of this route is on surface roads where they can vary significantly. The longest stretch without a major highway is considerable, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering that segment.
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 103.2 miles from LeChee, AZ, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 45 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.2 miles or 1h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 55m
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 LeChee, 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 LeChee, AZ
This is one driving day of about 206.5 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from LeChee, 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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 93 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 58.2 and 205.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
58.2 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flags...
6
58.4 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
8
182.1 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 214C
Toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
7
182.6 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward AZ 101 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop East
7
205.4 mi into trip|~3h 37m 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
$36.59 one way
$73.19 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$39.19
$78.37
premium
$5.04
$40.99
$81.98
diesel
$4.80
$38.99
$77.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62
0
$21.68
$9.91
Efficient EV
51.6
0
$18.07
$8.26
EV Truck/SUV
82.6
1
$28.91
$13.22
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
LeChee, AZ
Late night
in LeChee on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 to 9 mph56% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:44PM PDT until July 18 at 7:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:29PM PDT until July 18 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Scottsdale, AZ
Late night
in Scottsdale on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
MST
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 0 to 5 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:44PM PDT until July 18 at 7:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:29PM PDT until July 18 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
14 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 39m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$25
near mile 49.8
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
$10
near mile 106.8
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$25
near mile 42.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, with highways making up 21% of the total mileage. The longest continuous stretch on a named highway is 93 miles along the Arizona Veterans Highway. Expect a more varied driving experience, likely with more intersections and changes in speed compared to interstate travel. This profile suggests you'll notice more frequent transitions between different types of roadways as you progress.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93 mi on Arizona Veterans 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 58.2 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 13 significant decision points across 206.5 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 58.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,913 ft1,259 ft
Total Climb
3,151 ft
Total Descent
6,870 ft
Highest Point
6,913 ft
~59 mi in
Elevation Range
5,654 ft
Notable High Points
6,913 ft at ~59 miles+309 ft prominence
4,651 ft at ~118 miles+953 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between LeChee, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 39m. Total distance: 206.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 58.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (5 total within detour distance). 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 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Scottsdale, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
