Origin
Scottsdale, AZ
Morning in Scottsdale on Sunday
Local time
6:44 AM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Scottsdale, AZ to San Carlos, 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 23m
Distance
107.2 mi
173 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 14m
★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scottsdale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
San Carlos, AZ
Andrea Hinojosa
Trip Overview
Scottsdale, AZ to San Carlos, AZ is 107.2 miles and takes about 2h 23m via Phoenix–Globe Highway, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward one-day trip primarily within Arizona's Desert Southwest region. You'll experience a mixed drive profile, transitioning from more developed areas near Scottsdale to a more rugged landscape as you approach San Carlos. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's an accessible journey for anyone looking to explore this part of the state without a significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.6 miles from Scottsdale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 43 mi | 55m |
| Superstition Freeway | 22.2 mi | 25m |
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 17.9 mi | 22m |
| Pima Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| Indian Route 170 | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Price Freeway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| East Ash Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Phoenix–Globe Highway
— 43 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale, AZ and San Carlos, AZ.
1
Start on this road
64 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
4
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Price Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 55A; 55B
Toward US 60 East, US 60 West: Globe, Phoenix
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 55A
Toward US 60 East: Globe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 60
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Live Oak Street
11
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
12
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
13
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Oak Street
15
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Hill Street
16
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
17
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
17 mi
·
20 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
19
Turn left onto BIA 170
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Indian Route 170
20
At end of road, turn left onto BIA 170
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Indian Route 170
21
Keep slight left at fork onto Aravaipa Road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Aravaipa Road
22
Arrive at destination
Aravaipa Road
Trip Plan
You can comfortably complete this 107.2-mile drive in a single day, leaving you with flexibility for when you depart. Aiming for a morning departure will give you ample daylight to reach San Carlos, AZ. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it's wise to fill up before leaving Scottsdale, as services might be more spaced out on the latter half of the journey. Pay attention to the 43-mile stretch on the Phoenix–Globe Highway; it's the longest continuous section, so ensure you're comfortable with your fuel level before entering it.
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 53.6 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.6 miles or 1h 7m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Carlos, 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 107.2 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Scottsdale, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Phoenix–Globe Highway for about 43 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.6 miles from Scottsdale, 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 1 and 82.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
8.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward US 60 East, US 60 West: Globe, Phoenix
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 55A; 55B
Toward US 60 East, US 60 West: Globe, Phoenix
8
8.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 East: Globe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 55A
Toward US 60 East: Globe
5
9.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
82.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.36 one way
$42.71 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $22.60 | $45.20 |
| premium | $5.59 | $23.60 | $47.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.67 | $47.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.26 | $5.15 |
| Efficient EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.38 | $4.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.9 | 0 | $15.01 | $6.86 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
San Carlos, AZ
Morning in San Carlos on Sunday
Local time
6:44 AM
MST
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
87°F
Superior, AZ
54 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
5 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 23m 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.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
National Monument
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 44.4
View on nps.gov
Tonto National Monument
National Monument
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
$10
near mile 70.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive, with about 35% of it being on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 43 miles along the Phoenix–Globe Highway, providing a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. You'll transition from freeway conditions on the Superstition Freeway to a more highway-focused experience on the Phoenix–Globe Highway and Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Expect varied scenery and road conditions as you move from the urban edge into more open desert terrain.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43 mi on Phoenix–Globe Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 1 miles in near AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 107.2 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 1 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 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.
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 Scottsdale, AZ to San Carlos, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Phoenix along the way.
Phoenix
8.5 mi in
|
~10m
About the Cities
Starting in Scottsdale, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1894
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
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 23m. Total distance: 107.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (35%). 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 43 miles on Phoenix–Globe 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 San Carlos, 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 1 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto 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 San Carlos, 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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