Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Yuma, AZ to Anthem, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 54m
Distance
207.3 mi
334 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 42m
★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 20m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 1m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 19m
8 PM
3h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Yuma, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Anthem, AZ
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
Yuma, AZ to Anthem, AZ is 207.3 miles and takes about 3h 54m via Blue Star Memorial Highway and Arizona State Highway 85, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona, traversing the Desert Southwest region for its entirety. You'll find the drive straightforward, suitable for a single-day excursion without much fuss. Plan for a relatively quick transit that gets you to your destination efficiently.
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
103.7 miles from Yuma, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 114.2 mi | 1h 59m |
| Bob Stump Memorial Parkway | 34.2 mi | 39m |
| Arizona State Highway 85 | 28.1 mi | 32m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 10.4 mi | 10m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 5.6 mi | 5m |
| South Oglesby Road | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| East Pima Street | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 114.2 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yuma, AZ and Anthem, AZ.
1
Start on I 8 BUS
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
North 4th Avenue
2
Continue on I 8 BUS
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Winterhaven Drive
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
4
Merge onto I 8
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Kumeyaay Highway
5
Continue on I 8
114 mi
·
1 hr 59 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit onto I 8 Business
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 8 Business
Toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
7
Continue on I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
East Pima Street
Toward AZ-85: Phoenix, Gilda Bend
8
Continue on AZ 85
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
9
Turn left onto AZ 85
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on AZ 85
28 mi
·
32 min
·
Arizona State Highway 85
11
Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
12
Continue on AZ 85
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South Oglesby Road
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 10
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.7 mi
·
2 min
Exit 124A
Toward AZ 303 Loop North
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto AZ 303 Loop
34 mi
·
39 min
·
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Use the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
19
Merge onto I 17
5.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 229
Toward Anthem Way
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto West Anthem Way
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Anthem Way
22
Turn slight left
291 ft
·
16 sec
23
Turn left onto North 41st Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North 41st Drive
24
Turn left
78 ft
·
6 sec
25
Turn right
241 ft
·
17 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Yuma in the morning to maximize daylight and ensure you reach Anthem with ample time. With a total duration of under 4 hours, you likely won't need a dedicated stop, but it's wise to fill up your fuel tank in Yuma before you leave, given the estimated $39 fuel cost. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Anthem, as services can be more spread out in this region. The 114.2-mile stretch on the Blue Star Memorial Highway means you'll have a long period of consistent driving before needing to adjust to different road types.
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 103.7 miles from Yuma, AZ, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.2 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 46 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.7 miles or 1h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anthem, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Yuma, 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 Yuma, AZ
This is one driving day of about 207.3 miles and 3h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Yuma, 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 114.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 103.7 miles from Yuma, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Blue Star Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 114.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Mohawk Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Mohawk Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Sentinel Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Maverik
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Sentinel Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.8 mi from route
Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 115.1 and 206.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
115.1 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
I 8 Business
Take the exit onto I 8 Business toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
7
152.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
7
163.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward AZ 303 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 124A
Toward AZ 303 Loop North
6
199.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
7
206.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward Anthem Way
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 229
Toward Anthem Way
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.18 one way
$80.36 round trip
$4.92/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.20 | $42.46 | $84.91 |
| premium | $5.44 | $44.37 | $88.75 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $45.70 | $91.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.2 | 0 | $21.77 | $9.95 |
| Efficient EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.14 | $8.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.9 | 1 | $29.02 | $13.27 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Yuma, AZ
Afternoon in Yuma on Friday
Local time
2:09 PM
MST
Current temp
115°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 25 at 12:57PM MST until August 28 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 25 at 12:57PM MST until August 29 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Anthem, AZ
Afternoon in Anthem on Friday
Local time
2:09 PM
MST
Current temp
111°F
Sunny
WSW 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 25 at 12:57PM MST until August 28 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 25 at 12:57PM MST until August 29 at 8:00PM 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
4 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 54m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a mix of highway and surface roads, with 33% of it on highways. You'll encounter a long stretch of 114.2 miles on the Blue Star Memorial Highway before transitioning to other roads. Expect a significant portion of the drive to be on surface roads, which may mean more varied speed limits and less direct travel compared to pure interstate cruising.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.2 mi on Blue Star Memorial 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 115.1 miles in near I 8 Business.
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 15 significant decision points across 207.3 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 115.1 miles (I 8 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,865 ft
141 ft
Total Climb
1,793 ft
Total Descent
68 ft
Highest Point
1,865 ft
~207.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,725 ft
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.
Between Yuma, AZ and Anthem, AZ, road signs point toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo and Gilda Bend.
85: Phoenix
115.1 mi in
|
~2h
|
via I 8 Business
Ajo
115.1 mi in
|
~2h
|
via I 8 Business
Gilda Bend
115.3 mi in
|
~2h
|
via I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
About the Cities
Starting in Yuma, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1888
Yuma is the largest city and county seat of Yuma County, Arizona. It is in the southwest corner of the state, across the Colorado River from California and near two Mexican states of Baja California and Sonora.
Top landmarks
- • Brown House — historic house in Yuma, Arizona, USA
- • Masonic Temple — in Yuma, Arizona
- • Gandolfo Theatre — former movie theater in Yuma, Arizona, United States
Arriving in Anthem, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1998
Anthem is a large unincorporated community, built by Del Webb homes, in Greater Phoenix, Arizona. It is usually known as Anthem, Arizona.
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 3h 54m. Total distance: 207.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.2 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Anthem, 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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.1 miles (I 8 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Anthem, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Anthem, AZ
Explore more options from Yuma, AZ or browse trips ending in Anthem, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.