Traveling from Scottsdale to Chino Valley covers 114.6 miles and takes approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, making it a straightforward day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the Pima Freeway, the Black Canyon Freeway, and AZ 69 to navigate between these two points in the Desert Southwest. Expect to budget about $23 for fuel to complete the one-way journey. Since both locations reside within the same regional climate, the drive offers a consistent transition rather than a drastic environmental change. This route is ideal if you want a manageable trip that gets you from the Phoenix metro area to the higher elevations of Chino Valley without an exhausting time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.3 miles from Scottsdale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Black Canyon Freeway
23.2 mi
24m
Pima Freeway
22 mi
25m
AZ 69
21.6 mi
25m
Arizona Veterans Highway
13.4 mi
13m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi
9m
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
8.8 mi
10m
Fain Road
7.6 mi
9m
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
5.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Black Canyon Freeway
— 23.2 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale, AZ and Chino Valley, AZ.
1
Start on this road
64 ft·6 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
0.7 mi·1 min·East Chaparral Road
3
Turn left
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop NorthUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
22 mi·25 min·Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·45 sec
Exit 23C-BToward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, FlagstaffUse the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 17 North: FlagstaffUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
8
Merge onto I 17
23 mi·24 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69
22 mi·25 min·AZ 69
Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
12
Turn right onto Fain Road
7.6 mi·9 min·Fain Road
13
Continue on AZ 89A
5.9 mi·6 min·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 317Toward AZ 89: Prescott, Chino Valley
15
Turn right onto AZ 89
0.5 mi·36 sec·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
16
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
103 ft·1 sec·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
17
Continue on AZ 89
0.9 mi·1 min·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
18
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
136 ft·1 sec·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
19
Continue on AZ 89
3.7 mi·4 min·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
20
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
150 ft·2 sec·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
21
Continue on AZ 89
0.8 mi·53 sec·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
22
Enter roundabout onto AZ 89
151 ft·2 sec·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
23
Continue on AZ 89
2.8 mi·3 min·Prescott–Ash Fork Highway
24
Arrive at destination
AZ 89
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just over two hours, you have significant flexibility with your departure time to avoid heavy traffic. Aim to hit the road early if you want to bypass the congestion often found on the Pima and Black Canyon Freeways during peak commute hours. Because there are no mandatory stops built into this 114.6-mile trip, you are free to pace yourself based on your own comfort level and fuel needs. Keep in mind that with $23 allocated for gas, you should easily reach your destination on a single tank. As a specific tip, check local traffic reports for the Black Canyon Freeway before you leave Scottsdale to ensure your 23.2-mile stretch remains clear for a smooth start.
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 57.3 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.2 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.3 miles or 1h 5m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chino Valley, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 114.6 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Scottsdale, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Black Canyon Freeway for about 23.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 105.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in
Turn left toward AZ 101 Loop North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
8
23 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
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 23C-B
Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagsta...
7
23.5 mi into trip|~28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
6
70.2 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|AZ 69
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69 toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
6
105.3 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward AZ 89: Prescott, Chino Valley
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 317
Toward AZ 89: Prescott, Chino Valley
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.83 one way
$45.66 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$24.16
$48.32
premium
$5.59
$25.23
$50.45
diesel
$5.61
$25.30
$50.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.4
0
$12.03
$5.50
Efficient EV
28.7
0
$10.03
$4.58
EV Truck/SUV
45.8
0
$16.04
$7.33
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Scottsdale, AZ
Night
in Scottsdale on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
MST
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chino Valley, AZ
Night
in Chino Valley on Saturday
Local time
9:26 PM
MST
Current temp
41°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
51 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
2h 10m 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
~46 min detour
$10
near mile 94.8
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 90.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile, blending fast-paced interstate travel with more localized highway segments. Roughly 58% of your journey is spent on major highways, providing a steady flow of traffic for most of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 23.2-mile segment on the Black Canyon Freeway, which allows for consistent cruising before the route transitions onto AZ 69. As you move away from the city, the road personality shifts from high-speed, multi-lane transit to the more rhythmic feel of a state highway. You should be prepared for this change in pace as the road narrows and the character of the surrounding landscape begins to evolve.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.2 mi on Black Canyon Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 0.7 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 14 significant decision points across 114.6 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 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Scottsdale, AZ and Chino Valley, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Prescott.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 114.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). 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 23.2 miles on Black Canyon 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 Chino Valley, 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 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Chino Valley, AZ before heading back.
