Origin
Sahuarita, AZ
Evening in Sahuarita on Saturday
Local time
7:52 PM
MST
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sahuarita, 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
2h 29m
Distance
137.2 mi
221 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 20m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sahuarita, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Scottsdale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 137.2-mile drive from Sahuarita, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 29 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on highways like the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway and the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, with a 17% share of the route on these major roads. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $27, making it an economical option. Given its relatively short duration and lack of designated stops, this route offers a straightforward passage through the Desert Southwest region of Arizona.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
68.6 miles from Sahuarita, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.5 mi | 55m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 38.1 mi | 38m |
| Nogales–Tucson Highway | 16 mi | 19m |
| Price Freeway | 10.5 mi | 12m |
| South Freeway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Pima Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| Santan Freeway | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| East Sahuarita Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sahuarita, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on East Sahuarita Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
East Sahuarita Road
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 19 North: Tucson
3
Merge onto I 19
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Nogales–Tucson Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
5
Merge onto I 10
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 161A-B
Toward AZ 202 Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 161B
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Santan Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto Price Freeway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Price Freeway
Exit 50A
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Price Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 46
Toward Chaparral Road
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto East Chaparral Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left
64 ft
·
4 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2 hour and 29-minute drive, departing in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon heat and traffic as you approach Scottsdale. With only 137.2 miles and no recommended stops, you have the flexibility to take your time and make spontaneous breaks. The $27 fuel cost is a reasonable estimate, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Keep an eye on your navigation system, especially during the 'turn-heavy' sections, to ensure you're on track for your destination in Scottsdale.
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 68.6 miles from Sahuarita, AZ, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.6 miles or 1h 15m 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
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 Sahuarita, 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 Sahuarita, AZ
This is one driving day of about 137.2 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Sahuarita, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.6 miles from Sahuarita, 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 27.9 and 136.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
27.9 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
116.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward AZ 202 Loop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 161A-B
Toward AZ 202 Loop
8
116.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 161B
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
7
120.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
|
Price Freeway
Take the exit onto Price Freeway toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 50A
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
136.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m 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
$27.33 one way
$54.66 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $28.93 | $57.85 |
| premium | $5.59 | $30.20 | $60.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.29 | $60.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.2 | 0 | $14.41 | $6.59 |
| Efficient EV | 34.3 | 0 | $12.00 | $5.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.9 | 0 | $19.21 | $8.78 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Evening in Scottsdale on Saturday
Local time
7:52 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
40 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 29m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 137.2-mile journey, rather than a continuous highway cruise. While 17% of the route utilizes major highways, the majority involves more frequent transitions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.5 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, providing a brief period of more consistent travel. This profile suggests a driving experience that requires attention to navigation as you weave through local roads and connect between larger thoroughfares.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.5 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 27.9 miles in near I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 137.2 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 27.9 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 2h 29m. Total distance: 137.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.5 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. 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 27.9 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 116.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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