Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Yuma, AZ to Marana, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 47m
Distance
218.6 mi
352 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 35m
★
6 AM
3h 48m
8 AM
4h 13m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 54m
3 PM
3h 58m
5 PM
4h 12m
8 PM
3h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Yuma, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Marana, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Yuma, AZ to Marana, AZ is 218.6 miles and takes about 3h 47m via Blue Star Memorial Highway and Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape. Since it's a single-day drive, you can leave whenever works best for you. The route primarily uses surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace compared to interstate travel. It's a straightforward drive with only one recommended stop, making it easy to plan.
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
109.3 miles from Yuma, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 177.9 mi | 3h 2m |
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 36.3 mi | 36m |
| North Sandario Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Phoenix Bypass Route | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Moore Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North 4th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Kumeyaay Highway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Swanson Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 177.9 mi, about 3h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yuma, AZ and Marana, 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
178 mi
·
3 hr 2 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 178A
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
7
Continue on Phoenix Bypass Route
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
Phoenix Bypass Route
Exit 178A
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
8
Continue on I 10
36 mi
·
36 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 236
Toward Marana Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto North Sandario Road
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
North Sandario Road
11
Enter roundabout onto North Sandario Road
126 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Sandario Road
12
Continue on North Sandario Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Sandario Road
13
At end of road, turn right onto West Moore Road
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Moore Road
14
Turn left onto North Whitney Lane
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Whitney Lane
15
Turn right onto West Swanson Street
0.2 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Swanson Street
16
Turn left onto North Steele Drive
214 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Steele Drive
17
Arrive at destination
North Steele Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 47-minute duration, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Leaving Yuma in the morning will give you ample time to reach Marana before evening. Plan for one stop to break up the 218.6 miles, perhaps around the halfway point or where you see convenient facilities. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $46, and it's always wise to top off before heading into more rural stretches. The route's surface road nature means you won't be dealing with high-speed merges, but stay aware of local traffic patterns.
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 109.3 miles from Yuma, AZ, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.9 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 48 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.3 miles or 1h 52m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marana, 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 218.6 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 177.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 109.3 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 177.9 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
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
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
Maricopa-Stanfield Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Xpress Fuel Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pride Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Sentinel Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 178.7 and 218.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
178.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 178A
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
7
216 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward Marana Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 236
Toward Marana Road
5
216.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
|
North Sandario Road
Enter roundabout onto North Sandario Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
217.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
|
West Moore Road
At end of road, turn right onto West Moore Road
Navigation decision point
5
218.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
|
North Steele Drive
Turn left onto North Steele Drive
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.64 one way
$89.28 round trip
$5.19/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.52 | $47.49 | $94.98 |
| premium | $5.72 | $49.22 | $98.44 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $46.04 | $92.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.6 | 0 | $22.95 | $10.49 |
| Efficient EV | 54.7 | 0 | $19.13 | $8.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.4 | 1 | $30.60 | $13.99 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Wednesday
Local time
12:05 PM
MST
Current temp
103°F
Sunny
S 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Marana, AZ
Afternoon in Marana on Wednesday
Local time
12:05 PM
MST
Current temp
99°F
Sunny
W 7 mph
0% chance
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
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 47m 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.
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 180.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 0% highway, meaning you'll be on surface roads for the entire 218.6 miles. The longest continuous stretch without a significant turn or change in road designation is 177.9 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. You'll notice the transition to more local cruising as you move away from any potential highway segments. Expect a consistent pace, as the profile is mostly surface roads.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 177.9 mi on Blue Star Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 178.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 47m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 178.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 216 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.6 miles (North Sandario Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,988 ft
141 ft
Total Climb
2,371 ft
Total Descent
524 ft
Highest Point
1,988 ft
~218.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,847 ft
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 Marana, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1977
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 47m. Total distance: 218.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 177.9 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 178.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 216 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.6 miles (North Sandario Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Marana, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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