Origin
Payson, AZ
Morning in Payson on Tuesday
Local time
6:24 AM
MST
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Payson, AZ to Yuma, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 9m
Distance
272.7 mi
439 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 56m
★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 17m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 36m
8 PM
5h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Payson, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Yuma, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Payson to Yuma is 272.7 miles and takes about 5 hours 9 minutes via Blue Star Memorial Highway and Arizona State Highway 85, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will take you through the Desert Southwest, moving from one part of Arizona to another. It's a straightforward trip that's well within the scope of a single day, making it a good option if you want to get to your destination without an overnight stop. Consider this route for its simplicity and directness across a familiar 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
136.4 miles from Payson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 113.8 mi | 1h 57m |
| South Beeline Highway | 72.4 mi | 1h 25m |
| Arizona State Highway 85 | 28.5 mi | 33m |
| Papago Freeway | 21 mi | 24m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 12 mi | 13m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 11.9 mi | 12m |
| South Oglesby Road | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| East Pima Street | 2.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 113.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Payson, AZ and Yuma, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 87
72 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
2
Continue on AZ 87
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Country Club Drive
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
4
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West
Use the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
8
Continue on I 10
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 112
Toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on AZ 85
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
South Oglesby Road
12
Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
13
Continue on AZ 85
28 mi
·
33 min
·
Arizona State Highway 85
14
Take the exit onto AZ 85
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Toward AZ-85 South: Gila Bend
15
Continue on AZ 85
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Arizona State Highway 85
16
Continue on AZ 85
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
East Pima Street
17
Take the exit onto I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 8 West: San Diego
18
Merge onto I 8
114 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Giss Parkway
20
Keep slight left at fork
189 ft
·
4 sec
21
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
251 ft
·
4 sec
·
Harold C Giss Parkway
22
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Harold C Giss Parkway
23
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
120 ft
·
2 sec
·
Harold C Giss Parkway
24
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Harold C Giss Parkway
25
Turn right onto I 8 BUS; US 80 Hist
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
South 4th Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
I 8 BUS
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour driving time, starting early from Payson is advisable to maximize daylight. You'll have one primary stop suggested, but with the drive being manageable in a single day, you can be flexible. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 113.8-mile stretch on Blue Star Memorial Highway, as services might be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost of $54 should give you a good baseline for budgeting. Plan to take advantage of the flexibility this shorter drive offers by stopping when needed.
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 136.4 miles from Payson, AZ, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.8 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 60 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.4 miles or 2h 41m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yuma, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Payson, 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 Payson, AZ
This is one driving day of about 272.7 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Payson, 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 Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 113.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 136.4 miles from Payson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Blue Star Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.8 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 72.8 and 119.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
72.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward AZ 202 Loop West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
5
73.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
85.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 West
5
86.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
I 10 / Papago Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
119.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego
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 112
Toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.33 one way
$108.65 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $57.49 | $114.98 |
| premium | $5.59 | $60.03 | $120.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.21 | $120.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.8 | 1 | $28.63 | $13.09 |
| Efficient EV | 68.2 | 0 | $23.86 | $10.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.1 | 1 | $38.18 | $17.45 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Yuma, AZ
Morning in Yuma on Tuesday
Local time
6:24 AM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
89°F
Mesa, AZ
136 mi in
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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 9m 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?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 23% of the route on highways. You'll experience the longest stretch on Blue Star Memorial Highway, covering 113.8 miles without a major highway change. Expect to transition from highway cruising to more typical surface road driving as you progress. The significant portion on surface roads suggests a steady pace with more local traffic and intersections.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.8 mi on Blue Star 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 72.8 miles in.
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 14 significant decision points across 272.7 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 72.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 73.2 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Payson, AZ to Yuma, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward San Diego along the way.
San Diego
119.6 mi in
|
~2h 19m
About the Cities
Starting in Payson, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1973
Payson is a town in Gila County, Arizona. Known as the "Heart of Arizona," it is a gateway to the Colorado Plateau and the Mogollon Rim in Northern and Eastern Arizona.
Arriving in Yuma, AZ
Full guide →Yuma is the largest city and county seat of Yuma County, Arizona. It is in the southwest corner of the state, across the Colorado River from California and near two Mexican states of Baja California and Sonora.
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 9m. Total distance: 272.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.8 miles on Blue Star 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 Yuma, 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 72.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 73.2 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Yuma, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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