How far is Cave Creek, AZ from Scottsdale, AZ?

The driving distance from Cave Creek, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ is about 28.1 miles (45.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 22.6 miles (36.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
28.18 mi
00h 38m
Flight
22.59 mi
36.36 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cave Creek.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
22.59 mi
Kilometers
36.36 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
28.18 mi
Kilometers
45.35 km
Drive Time
00h 38m

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 00h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Scottsdale
Sat, Apr 11, 9:05 AM MST
Return by in Cave Creek
Sat, Apr 11, 9:43 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cave Creek
2026-04-11T08:27
Arrive Scottsdale
Sat, Apr 11, 9:05 AM MST
Route Timing
00h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:38 AM to 7:38 PM MST

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:14 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Cave Creek
10:00 PM MST
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Paradise Valley
AZ

Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

From Cave Creek
13.1 mi
00h 19m
To Scottsdale
15 mi
00h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday Night

Clear

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 11:00 AM MST
Wind
5 mph SSW
Destination
87°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cave Creek and Scottsdale.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cave Creek and Scottsdale.

  1. 1

    Start on East Cave Creek Road

    63 m · 11 sec · East Cave Creek Road

  2. 2

    Continue on East Cave Creek Road

    1.8 mi · 4 min · East Cave Creek Road

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto North Tom Darlington Drive

    52 m · 7 sec

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto North Tom Darlington Drive

    1366 ft · 28 sec · North Tom Darlington Drive

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto North Tom Darlington Drive

    1.7 mi · 4 min · North Tom Darlington Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on North Scottsdale Road

    9.8 mi · 16 min · North Scottsdale Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto AZ 101 Loop East

    2195 ft · 58 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway

    11.2 mi · 13 min · Pima Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Chaparral Road

    2144 ft · 56 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto East Chaparral Road

    3153 ft · 1 min · East Chaparral Road

  11. 11

    Turn left

    19 m · 5 sec

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cave Creek and Scottsdale.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
12 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
42.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pima Freeway
11.2 mi · 40%
North Scottsdale Road
9.8 mi · 35%
North Tom Darlington Drive
1.99 mi · 7%
East Cave Creek Road
1.79 mi · 6%
East Chaparral Road
0.6 mi · 2%
AZ 101 Loop East
0.42 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Pima Freeway

Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway

11.2 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 38m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.5 mi
22.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Paradise Valley
00h 19m from Cave Creek
Leave By
7:14 PM MST
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Clear leaving Cave Creek and Sunny near Scottsdale.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cave Creek to Scottsdale?

The road trip is about 28.1 miles (45.3 km) and usually takes 00h 38m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Paradise Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.1 miles from Cave Creek and 15 miles from Scottsdale.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 22.6 miles (36.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:14 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.90 one way or $9.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Clear around Cave Creek and Sunny near Scottsdale.

Stop Ideas Near Paradise Valley

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Paradise Valley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Mastro's City Hall
Food stop 11.3 mi away

Mastro's City Hall

Scottsdale , AZ
6991 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, United States
Rating 4.6/5 1,194 reviews Fine dining restaurant,Restaurant,Steak house
Scottsdale City Council
Meeting point 11.9 mi away

Scottsdale City Council

Scottsdale , AZ
3939 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, United States
Rating 2.4/5 7 reviews City government office
Scottsdale City Hall
Nearby stop 11.9 mi away

Scottsdale City Hall

Scottsdale , AZ
City Hall, 3939 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, United States
Rating 4.2/5 9 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Paradise Valley.

BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

12 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

14 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

16 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
RAIL

Maricopa

53 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cave Creek and Scottsdale. Straight-line distance: 22.59 mi (36.36 km).

Cave Creek

#1 Cave Creek

Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Population5,986
Coordinates33.8333716, -111.9507042
Altitude648
CountryUnited States
Scottsdale

#2 Scottsdale

The fourth most populous city in Arizona and the center of the Scottsdale metropolitan area.

Population262,647
Coordinates33.5092100, -111.8990300
Altitude383
CountryUnited States
Start: East Cave Creek Road (-111.950718, 33.833318)
End: (-111.898944, 33.509209)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 45 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.99 gal
3.76 L · about $4.90
Round trip
$9.80
1.98 gal · 7.52 L
Estimated CO2
8.8 kg one way
Round trip: 17.6 kg / 39 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $4.90 $9.80
Mid-grade $5.34 $5.28 $10.57
Premium $5.57 $5.51 $11.02
Diesel $6.37 $6.30 $12.60

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 · Apr 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Cave Creek and Scottsdale. The current time is 08:27:15.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.