Yuma, AZ to Winslow, AZ is 375.9 miles and takes about 6h 45m via Blue Star Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $75 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arizona, traversing the Desert Southwest region for its entirety. Expect a predominantly surface road experience, which means you'll likely be cruising at lower speeds and seeing more of the local landscape. It's a straightforward trip if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without extensive highway time.
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
187.9 miles from Yuma, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
114.2 mi
1h 59m
Arizona Veterans Highway
90.6 mi
1h 31m
Purple Heart Trail
55.9 mi
56m
Bob Stump Memorial Parkway
34.2 mi
39m
Arizona State Highway 85
28.1 mi
32m
Black Canyon Freeway
16.4 mi
16m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
10.4 mi
10m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi
9m
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 Winslow, 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: PhoenixUse 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 124AToward AZ 303 Loop NorthUse 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: FlagstaffUse the straight lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·16 sec
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
19
Merge onto I 17
16 mi·16 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi·1 hr 17 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
23
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi·43 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
25
Merge onto I 40
56 mi·56 min·Purple Heart Trail
26
Take the exit onto I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
0.4 mi·47 sec·I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
Exit 252Toward I 40 Business: Hipkoe Drive
27
Turn right onto I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
278 ft·4 sec·Hipkoe Drive
28
Turn left onto I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
0.3 mi·32 sec·West 3rd Steet
29
Continue on I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
1.5 mi·2 min·West 2nd Street
30
Turn left onto AZ 87; AZ 99
369 ft·13 sec·North Williamson Avenue
31
Turn left onto I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
296 ft·4 sec·East 3rd Street
32
Arrive at destination
I 40 Bus; AZ 99; US 66 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the roughly 6 hour and 45 minute drive time, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider an early morning departure from Yuma to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $75, planning your gas fill-ups at major points before hitting longer stretches on surface roads is advisable. Since the longest continuous stretch is 114.2 miles, ensure you have snacks and drinks before you begin that segment.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.9 miles from Yuma, AZ, or about 3h 30m 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 83 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.9 miles or 3h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winslow, 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 375.9 miles and 6h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.1 and 199.5 — 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
5
119.3 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|AZ 85 / Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Turn left onto AZ 85 / Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$76.76 one way
$153.53 round trip
$5.19/gal25.4 MPG avg132 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$81.66
$163.32
premium
$5.72
$84.64
$169.27
diesel
$5.35
$79.18
$158.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$102–$127
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.8
1
$39.47
$18.04
Efficient EV
94
1
$32.89
$15.04
EV Truck/SUV
150.4
1
$52.63
$24.06
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Yuma, AZ
Afternoon
in Yuma on Wednesday
Local time
12:05 PM
MST
Current temp
70°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Winslow, AZ
Afternoon
in Winslow on Wednesday
Local time
12:05 PM
MST
Current temp
49°F
Clear
S 7 mph0% chanceLive 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
21 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
6h 45m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
$10
near mile 272.2
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly on surface roads, with only 21% of the route on highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating local routes, with a significant stretch of 114.2 miles on the Blue Star Memorial Highway. Be prepared for more frequent town crossings and potentially lower average speeds compared to a freeway journey. The transition to surface roads after any highway segments means you'll notice a change in driving pace and the surrounding environment.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 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?
10/10
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 115.1 miles in near I 8 Business.
Driving Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 375.9 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 119.3 miles (AZ 85 / Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 152.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,813 ft141 ft
Total Climb
6,988 ft
Total Descent
2,277 ft
Highest Point
6,813 ft
~322.2 mi in
Elevation Range
6,672 ft
Notable High Points
6,813 ft at ~322.2 miles+446 ft prominence
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 Winslow, AZ, road signs point toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo, Gilda Bend and Albuquerque.
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
Winslow is a small town on Route 66 in Northern Arizona. While the town itself is of limited interest, it is a convenient gateway to a number of regional attractions.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 45m. Total distance: 375.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 45m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Winslow, 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 23 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 119.3 miles (AZ 85 / Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 152.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Winslow, AZ before the return drive.
