Origin
Paulden, AZ
Night in Paulden on Saturday
Local time
9:23 PM
MST
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Paulden, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
123.9 mi
199 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 12m
★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paulden, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Scottsdale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 123.9-mile drive from Paulden to Scottsdale, Arizona, is a manageable 2-hour and 21-minute journey, making it an ideal day trip. You'll spend about 34% of your time on highways, with a fuel cost estimated at $25. The route primarily utilizes the Black Canyon Freeway and the Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway, offering a mixed driving experience across the Desert Southwest. It’s a straightforward trip that doesn’t require an overnight stay, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Plan for a smooth transition as you head south into the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.9 miles from Paulden, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pima Freeway | 21.8 mi | 25m |
| Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway | 21.3 mi | 26m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 20.7 mi | 22m |
| Prescott–Ash Fork Highway | 17.9 mi | 20m |
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 16.7 mi | 16m |
| Fain Road | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| Prescott–Flagstaff Highway | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 5.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Pima Freeway
— 21.8 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paulden, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 89
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
2
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
150 ft
·
2 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
3
Continue on AZ 89
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
4
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
171 ft
·
2 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
5
Continue on AZ 89
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
6
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
80 ft
·
0 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
7
Continue on AZ 89
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
8
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
138 ft
·
2 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
9
Continue on AZ 89
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
10
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
148 ft
·
2 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
11
Continue on AZ 89
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
·
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
12
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward AZ 89A|none
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward AZ 89A
14
Continue on AZ 89A
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
15
Continue on Fain Road
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Fain Road
16
Turn left onto AZ 69
21 mi
·
26 min
·
Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
17
Merge onto I 17
17 mi
·
16 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
18
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 214C
Toward AZ 101 Loop West, AZ 101 Loop East
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward AZ 101 Loop East
Use the slight left lane.
24
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 46
Toward Chaparral Road
Use the slight right lane.
26
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
27
Turn left
64 ft
·
4 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 21-minute drive, leaving Paulden in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Scottsdale. With only 123.9 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $25, this trip offers plenty of flexibility for spontaneous stops if needed, though none are strictly necessary. Pay attention to the transition from more rural highway driving to the increasing urban environment as you get closer to Scottsdale. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches where services might be less frequent.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.9 miles from Paulden, AZ, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.8 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 27 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.9 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 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 Paulden, 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 Paulden, AZ
This is one driving day of about 123.9 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Paulden, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pima Freeway for about 21.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.9 miles from Paulden, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 145 decision points cluster between mile 17.9 and 122.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
17.9 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Turn left toward AZ 89A|none
Navigation decision point
Toward AZ 89A|none
6
18.2 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward AZ 89A
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward AZ 89A
8
99.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m 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
100 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m 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
122.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m 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
$24.68 one way
$49.36 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $26.12 | $52.24 |
| premium | $5.59 | $27.27 | $54.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.36 | $54.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.2 | 0 | $13.01 | $5.95 |
| Efficient EV | 31 | 0 | $10.84 | $4.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.35 | $7.93 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Scottsdale, AZ
Night in Scottsdale on Saturday
Local time
9:23 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
54 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
2h 21m 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.
Tuzigoot National Monument
National Monument
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...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$10
near mile 25.6
Caution: High Levels of Visitation
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$10
near mile 34.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience on this route, with a significant portion featuring highway speeds. You'll encounter 34% highway driving, interspersed with other road types. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 21.8 miles on the Pima Freeway. This drive offers a mix of fast freeway sections and other road types, so be prepared for changing conditions as you progress south. The character of the road shifts, offering different driving dynamics throughout the 123.9 miles.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.8 mi on Pima Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 123.9 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 17.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 99.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 2h 21m. Total distance: 123.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (34%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.8 miles on Pima Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 18.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 99.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Tuzigoot National Monument and Montezuma Castle National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Scottsdale, AZ before heading back.
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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