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Trip from Yuma, AZ to Payson, AZ

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 9m

Distance

272.6 mi

439 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 56m ★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 16m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 2m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
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city in and county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States

Yuma, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

town in Gila County, Arizona, United States

Payson, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Yuma, AZ to Payson, AZ covers 272.6 miles and takes about 5h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Blue Star Memorial Highway, Beeline Highway, Arizona State Highway 85 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 114.2 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $52.84 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

136.3 miles from Yuma, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway 114.2 mi 1h 59m
Beeline Highway 67.7 mi 1h 18m
Arizona State Highway 85 28.1 mi 32m
Papago Freeway 21.2 mi 24m
Red Mountain Freeway 12.9 mi 15m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway 11.7 mi 12m
North Beeline Highway 4.5 mi 5m
South Oglesby Road 3.7 mi 5m
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 Payson, 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

12 mi · 12 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 10

20 mi · 22 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
17

Continue on I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.1 mi · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147 Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East
20

Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

12 mi · 14 min · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Exit 13 Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson Use the slight right lane.
22

Turn left onto AZ 87

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Country Club Drive
23

Continue on AZ 87

4.5 mi · 5 min · North Beeline Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
24

Continue on AZ 87

68 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
25

Arrive at destination

AZ 87

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 136.3 miles from Yuma, AZ, or about 2h 29m 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 60 miles or 1h 3m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 136.3 miles or 2h 29m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Payson, 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 272.6 miles and 5h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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.

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mesa, AZ

136 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

Wellton, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Buckeye, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 136.3 miles from Yuma, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 152.4 and 199.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
8
186.6 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East

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 147 Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
6
186.7 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
187 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
199.5 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in

Take the exit toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson

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 13 Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.84 one way

$105.67 round trip

$4.92/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.20 $55.83 $111.66
premium $5.44 $58.35 $116.70
diesel $5.60 $60.09 $120.18

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 95.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 81.8 1 $28.62 $13.08
Efficient EV 68.2 0 $23.85 $10.90
EV Truck/SUV 109 1 $38.16 $17.45

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 Sep 1, 2026

Origin

Yuma, AZ

Late night in Yuma on Friday

Local time

3:02 AM

MST

Current temp

83°F

Mostly Clear

S 5 mph 8% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued August 31 at 6:58PM PDT until August 31 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued August 31 at 4:35PM PDT until September 1 at 12:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV

Destination

Payson, AZ

Late night in Payson on Friday

Local time

3:02 AM

MST

Current temp

59°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy

N 5 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued August 31 at 6:58PM PDT until August 31 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued August 31 at 4:35PM PDT until September 1 at 12:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV

101°F

Mesa, AZ

136 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

24 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

5h 9m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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.

Tonto National Monument

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...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour $10 near mile 225.6
Caution: Water is Required
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

272.6 mi in 5h 9m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 23% 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: 114.2 mi on Blue Star Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 152.4 miles in.

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 10 significant decision points across 272.6 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 152.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.6 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.7 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Elevation Profile

High-altitude sections with notable climbs

4,916 ft 141 ft

Total Climb

5,250 ft

Total Descent

475 ft

Highest Point

4,916 ft

~272.6 mi in

Elevation Range

4,775 ft

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 Payson, 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 Payson, AZ

Full guide →

Founded 1973

Payson is a town in Gila County, Arizona. Known as the "Heart of Arizona," it is a gateway to the Colorado Plateau and the Mogollon Rim in Northern and Eastern 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 5h 9m. Total distance: 272.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

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.

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 Payson, 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 152.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.6 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186.7 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes — Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Payson, AZ before the return drive.

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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Explore More

Return Trip

Payson, AZ to Yuma, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

272.7 mi 5h 9m

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