Scottsdale to Colorado City is 376.2 miles and takes about 7 hours 26 minutes via Arizona Veterans Highway, with a fuel budget near $78 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent feel from start to finish. It's primarily a surface road experience, so don't expect high-speed highway cruising for the majority of the trip. With two planned stops and a recommended single day, this is a straightforward drive for those looking to cover ground efficiently within the state.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
188.1 miles from Scottsdale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 26m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale, AZ and Colorado City, 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 left at fork onto I 17
77 mi·1 hr 17 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
12
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi·43 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
14
Merge onto I 40
5.1 mi·5 min·Purple Heart Trail
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 89 North: Page
16
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus
0.5 mi·50 sec·Country Club Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn right onto US 89
2.3 mi·3 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 89
19
Continue on US 89
38 mi·44 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
20
Enter roundabout onto US 89
156 ft·2 sec·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
21
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi·2 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
22
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi·27 sec·US 89
23
Continue on US 89
57 mi·1 hr 6 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
24
Turn left onto US 89A
84 mi·1 hr 53 min·Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway
25
Continue on US 89A
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
26
Turn left onto AZ 389
0.6 mi·1 min·West Pratt Street
27
Continue on AZ 389
30 mi·34 min·Short Creek–Fredonia Highway
28
Turn right onto CR 377
1.4 mi·2 min·South Central Street
29
Turn left onto West Township Avenue
449 ft·17 sec·West Township Avenue
30
Turn left onto Heritage Lane
69 ft·3 sec·Heritage Lane
31
Arrive at destination
Heritage Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour 26-minute duration, starting early from Scottsdale is your best bet to complete this trip in a single day. You have two stops factored into the plan, which should be sufficient for breaks and fuel, especially considering the longest stretch without services is 90.6 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $78 budget is an estimate and surface roads can sometimes take longer than anticipated. The predominantly surface road nature means you'll likely encounter more local traffic and varying speed limits, so stay alert.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 188.1 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 83 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.1 miles or 3h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colorado City, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Scottsdale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 376.2 miles and 7h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Scottsdale, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 90.6 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 154.5 — 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
154 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Turn left onto US 180; I 40 Bus / Country Club Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
154.5 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|US 89 / Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Turn right onto US 89 / Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.66 one way
$133.33 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$71.39
$142.78
premium
$5.04
$74.68
$149.35
diesel
$4.80
$71.03
$142.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.9
1
$39.50
$18.06
Efficient EV
94.1
1
$32.92
$15.05
EV Truck/SUV
150.5
1
$52.67
$24.08
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Scottsdale, AZ
Evening
in Scottsdale on Saturday
Local time
6:28 PM
MST
Current temp
71°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 mph90% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:45PM MST until July 17 at 1:45AM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:30PM MST until July 17 at 12:45AM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Colorado City, AZ
Evening
in Colorado City on Saturday
Local time
6:28 PM
MST
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 3 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:45PM MST until July 17 at 1:45AM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:30PM MST until July 17 at 12:45AM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
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
7h 26m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
$25
near mile 168.6
The rich history of Pipe Spring and its flowing water comes alive as you explore the traditions of the Kaibab Paiute and the Mormon settlers through the museum, historic fort, cabins, and garden. Hike...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10
near mile 363.2
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$25
near mile 155.7
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
$25
near mile 181.6
Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based & backcountry recreation. The recreation area stretches for hundreds of mil...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$30
near mile 272.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 14% of this 376.2-mile drive on highways, with the bulk of the miles on surface roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. After the highway portion, expect more rural cruising as you transition to and navigate the Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway and Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway. The profile is mostly surface roads, so plan for varying speed limits and a more relaxed pace.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.6 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 376.2 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
7,512 ft1,259 ft
Total Climb
10,966 ft
Total Descent
7,244 ft
Highest Point
7,512 ft
~322.4 mi in
Elevation Range
6,253 ft
Notable High Points
4,084 ft at ~80.6 miles+178 ft prominence
6,714 ft at ~161.2 miles+18 ft prominence
5,860 ft at ~241.8 miles+1,452 ft prominence
7,512 ft at ~322.4 miles+2,471 ft prominence
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 Colorado City, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Albuquerque.
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
Colorado City is a city of 4,900 people (2018) straddling the Utah/Arizona border, although most of the city is on the Arizona side. The Utah portion is known as Hildale.
Colorado City is the largest and best-known polygamist community in the United States, and there are few facilities for travelers.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 26m. Total distance: 376.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.6 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 Colorado City, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Pipe Spring National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colorado City, AZ before the return drive.
