The drive from Scottsdale, AZ to Sierra Vista, AZ covers 190.3 miles and takes about 3h 27m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mostly surface roads.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.6 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.91 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
95.2 miles from Scottsdale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi
55m
Tucson-Benson Highway
41.4 mi
43m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
37.8 mi
38m
State Route 90
14.9 mi
17m
Price Freeway
9.4 mi
10m
Huachuca Boulevard
9.1 mi
10m
North Freeway
6.1 mi
6m
Pima Freeway
4.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale, AZ and Sierra Vista, 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
9.4 mi·10 min·Price Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 61BToward AZ 202 Loop WestUse the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
3.1 mi·3 min·Santan Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·41 sec
Exit 55A-BToward I 10 West: Tucson, Phoenix
9
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 55BToward I 10 East: TucsonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
55 mi·55 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
6.1 mi·6 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
41 mi·43 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 302Toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
15
Turn right onto AZ 90
1.2 mi·1 min·South State Highway 90
16
Continue on AZ 90
9.1 mi·10 min·Huachuca Boulevard
17
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi·14 min·State Route 90
18
Continue on AZ 90
2.2 mi·3 min·North Huachuca Boulevard
19
Continue on AZ 90
3.0 mi·3 min·State Route 90
20
Continue on Buffalo Soldier Trail
0.4 mi·35 sec·Buffalo Soldier Trail
21
Continue on Buffalo Solder Trail
0.8 mi·1 min·Buffalo Solder Trail
22
Turn straight onto Buffalo Soldier Trail
0.3 mi·39 sec·Buffalo Soldier Trail
23
Turn left onto West Fry Boulevard
380 ft·9 sec·West Fry Boulevard
24
Continue on West Fry Boulevard
0.1 mi·19 sec·West Fry Boulevard
25
Turn left
59 ft·4 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 95.2 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 42 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.2 miles or 1h 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 2h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sierra Vista, 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 190.3 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Scottsdale, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 160.7 — 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
15.3 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 202 Loop West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 61B
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
6
19.3 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: Tucson, Phoenix
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 55A-B
Toward I 10 West: Tucson, Phoenix
8
19.8 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 55B
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
6
160.7 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 302
Toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.91 one way
$75.82 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$40.12
$80.24
premium
$5.59
$41.89
$83.78
diesel
$5.61
$42.02
$84.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
5 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Camelback Miller Plaza - Tesla Supercharger
Scottsdale, AZ
Tesla
12 DCFC
CHAPMAN FORD POWER LINK N
Scottsdale, AZ
ChargePoint Network
2 DCFC
CHAPMAN FORD POWER LINK S
Scottsdale, AZ
ChargePoint Network
2 DCFC
Chapman Hyundai Scottsdale
Scottsdale, AZ
Non-Networked
2 DCFC
CHAPMAN HYUNDAI DETAIL CHARGER
Scottsdale, AZ
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 3
Tesla: 1
Non-Networked: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.1
0
$19.98
$9.13
Efficient EV
47.6
0
$16.65
$7.61
EV Truck/SUV
76.1
0
$26.64
$12.18
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Scottsdale, AZ
Morning
in Scottsdale on Sunday
Local time
7:42 AM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sierra Vista, AZ
Morning
in Sierra Vista on Sunday
Local time
7:42 AM
MST
Current temp
51°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
37 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
3h 27m 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.
Saguaro National Park
National Park
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$25
near mile 131.3
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 52.5
It was a journey of conquest filled with exploration, wonder - and cruelty. Inspired by tales of vast cities of gold, 339 European soldiers and over a thousand Aztec allies embarked on an epic journey...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 190.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
190.3 mi in 3h 27m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.
Only 21% 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: 54.6 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 1 miles in near AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 190.3 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 15.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Sierra Vista, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Phoenix along the way.
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
Sierra Vista (Spanish: Mountain View) is a city in Southeast Arizona and the commercial hub of the region, making it a convenient base from which to explore the area. It is perhaps best known for historic Fort Huachuca, established in 1877 during the Apache Wars. Although still an active U.S. Army military base, its two military museums and historic cemetery are open to the general public.
The landscape around the city is typical for the Southwestern United States, and the nearby mountains and canyons can be explored on foot, by bike, or on horseback. Because it is a major stopover point on avian migration routes, the area is popular with avid birdwatchers and naturalists, and is known as the "Hummingbird Capital of America".
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 27m. Total distance: 190.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.6 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson 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 Sierra Vista, 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 1 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Sierra Vista, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
