If you are planning to travel from Tolleson to Yuma, expect a drive covering 175.6 miles that typically takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes. This trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $34 for fuel to cover the distance across the Desert Southwest. Because the path relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you will experience a more direct, community-oriented transit. Use this route if you prefer a steady, manageable pace over the high-speed intensity of a typical highway haul.
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
87.5 miles from Tolleson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
113.8 mi
1h 57m
Arizona State Highway 85
28.5 mi
33m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
11.9 mi
12m
Papago Freeway
7.7 mi
8m
South Oglesby Road
3.6 mi
5m
East Pima Street
2.4 mi
5m
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Harold C Giss Parkway
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 113.8 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tolleson, AZ and Yuma, AZ.
1
Start on this road
191 ft·16 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto North 93rd Avenue
174 ft·13 sec·North 93rd Avenue
3
Turn left onto West Van Buren Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West Van Buren Street
4
Turn right onto North 99th Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·North 99th Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto West Papago Freeway
0.4 mi·46 sec·West Papago Freeway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
7
Merge onto I 10
7.7 mi·8 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
12 mi·12 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 112Toward AZ 85: Yuma, San DiegoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on AZ 85
3.6 mi·5 min·South Oglesby Road
11
Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist
1.0 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
12
Continue on AZ 85
28 mi·33 min·Arizona State Highway 85
13
Take the exit onto AZ 85
0.6 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Toward AZ-85 South: Gila Bend
14
Continue on AZ 85
0.3 mi·43 sec·Arizona State Highway 85
15
Continue on AZ 85
2.4 mi·5 min·East Pima Street
16
Take the exit onto I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
0.7 mi·1 min·I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 8 West: San Diego
17
Merge onto I 8
114 mi·1 hr 57 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward Giss Parkway
19
Keep slight left at fork
189 ft·4 sec
20
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
251 ft·4 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
21
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·Harold C Giss Parkway
22
Enter roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
120 ft·2 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
23
Continue on Harold C Giss Parkway
0.3 mi·36 sec·Harold C Giss Parkway
24
Turn right onto I 8 BUS; US 80 Hist
0.3 mi·35 sec·South 4th Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
I 8 BUS
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 2 hour and 40 minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop during your transit to manage the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, which can be more demanding than open highway driving. Keep your fuel budget of $34 in mind as you prepare to depart, ensuring your tank is ready for the full 175.6 miles. Because you are navigating local streets, pay close attention to signage on North 93rd Avenue and North 99th Avenue to stay on course. Taking your time through these residential and local zones will make for a much smoother and less stressful arrival in Yuma.
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 87.5 miles from Tolleson, AZ, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.8 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 39 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.5 miles or 1h 46m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yuma, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tolleson, 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 Tolleson, AZ
This is one driving day of about 175 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Tolleson, 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 Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 113.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 21.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North 93rd Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto North 93rd Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|North 99th Avenue
Turn right onto North 99th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|West Papago Freeway
Turn left onto West Papago Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in|I 10 / Papago Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
21.9 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 112
Toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.86 one way
$69.72 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$36.89
$73.79
premium
$5.59
$38.52
$77.04
diesel
$5.61
$38.64
$77.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.5
0
$18.38
$8.40
Efficient EV
43.8
0
$15.31
$7.00
EV Truck/SUV
70
0
$24.50
$11.20
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Tolleson, AZ
Late night
in Tolleson on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
MST
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Yuma, AZ
Late night
in Yuma on Sunday
Local time
12:35 AM
MST
Current temp
87°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
2 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 17m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 175.6-mile journey is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature rather than a long, monotonous interstate grind. With 0% of the route on major highways, you will navigate via North 93rd Avenue, West Van Buren Street, and North 99th Avenue. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches on these roads, you can anticipate a drive that requires your full attention at every intersection and turn. Expect the road personality to remain consistent as you move through the Desert Southwest landscape. You will find this route feels more like a series of connected local segments than a singular, fast-paced sprint.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.8 mi on Blue Star Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North 93rd Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 175 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North 93rd Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.8 miles (North 99th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (West Papago Freeway): 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.
On the drive from Tolleson, AZ to Yuma, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward San Diego along the way.
San Diego
21.9 mi in|~26m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 175 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.8 miles on Blue Star Memorial 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 Yuma, 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: near the start (North 93rd Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.8 miles (North 99th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (West Papago Freeway): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Yuma, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
