How far is Carefree, AZ from Yuma, AZ?
The driving distance from Carefree, AZ to Yuma, AZ is about 214.6 miles (345.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 173.7 miles (279.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 22m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carefree and Yuma.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carefree and Yuma.
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1
Start on North Tranquil Trail
3 m · 1 sec · North Tranquil Trail
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2
Continue on North Bloody Basin Road
2056 ft · 1 min · North Bloody Basin Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Tom Darlington Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Tom Darlington Drive
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4
Turn right onto East Carefree Highway
2.1 mi · 4 min · East Carefree Highway
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5
Turn left onto North Cave Creek Road
9.7 mi · 17 min · North Cave Creek Road
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6
Take the ramp right toward AZ 101 Loop West
120 m · 7 sec
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7
Continue on AZ 101 Loop West
2110 ft · 42 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Pima Freeway
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9
Continue on Agua Fria Freeway
21.5 mi · 25 min · Agua Fria Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 West: Los Angeles
3245 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Papago Freeway
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12
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 13 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego
1.1 mi · 2 min
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14
Continue on South Oglesby Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · South Oglesby Road
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15
Continue on Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
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16
Continue on Arizona State Highway 85
28.1 mi · 33 min · Arizona State Highway 85
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17
Take the exit slight right toward AZ-85 South: Gila Bend
3011 ft · 1 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
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18
Continue on Arizona State Highway 85
1775 ft · 43 sec · Arizona State Highway 85
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19
Continue on East Pima Street
2.4 mi · 5 min · East Pima Street
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 8 West: San Diego
1.1 km · 2 min
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21
Merge slight left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
113.8 mi · 1 hr 57 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Giss Parkway
1126 ft · 27 sec
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23
Keep slight left
58 m · 5 sec
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Harold C Giss Parkway
76 m · 5 sec · Harold C Giss Parkway
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25
Exit the rotary onto Harold C Giss Parkway
1 km · 1 min · Harold C Giss Parkway
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Harold C Giss Parkway
37 m · 2 sec · Harold C Giss Parkway
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27
Exit the roundabout onto Harold C Giss Parkway
1534 ft · 37 sec · Harold C Giss Parkway
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28
Turn right onto South 4th Avenue
1384 ft · 35 sec · South 4th Avenue
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 4th Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carefree and Yuma.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Blue Star Memorial Highway
114 mi · 01h 57m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Carefree and Sunny near Yuma.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carefree to Yuma?
The road trip is about 214.6 miles (345.3 km) and usually takes 03h 22m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Gila Bend is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.8 miles from Carefree and 107.8 miles from Yuma.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 173.7 miles (279.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:16 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.48 one way or $74.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Carefree and Sunny near Yuma.
Stop Ideas Near Gila Bend
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Gila Bend Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gila Bend.
Maricopa
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carefree and Yuma. Straight-line distance: 173.72 mi (279.58 km).
#1 Carefree
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 3,974 |
| Coordinates | 33.8222600, -111.9182000 |
| Altitude | 726 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Yuma
The most populous city in Yuma County, Arizona.
| Population | 99,811 |
| Coordinates | 32.7253200, -114.6244000 |
| Altitude | 43 |
| Country | United States |
End: North 4th Avenue (-114.624481, 32.725349)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 345 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $37.48 | $74.96 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $40.41 | $80.82 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $42.13 | $84.27 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $48.19 | $96.38 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Arizona · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.