How far is Rio Rico, AZ from Scottsdale, AZ?
The driving distance from Rio Rico, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ is about 174.1 miles (280.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.7 miles (242.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 46m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rio Rico and Scottsdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Rico and Scottsdale.
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1
Start on the route
62 m · 20 sec
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2
Turn right onto Yeso Court
89 m · 15 sec · Yeso Court
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3
Turn right onto Avenida Leon
1650 ft · 1 min · Avenida Leon
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Avenida Coatimundi
1544 ft · 44 sec · Avenida Coatimundi
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Pendleton Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · Pendleton Drive
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6
Turn left onto Rio Rico Drive
1.2 mi · 3 min · Rio Rico Drive
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7
Take the ramp right
1655 ft · 40 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Nogales–Tucson Highway
52 mi · 58 min · Nogales–Tucson Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Phoenix
3178 ft · 49 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto South Freeway
5.4 mi · 6 min · South Freeway
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11
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
50.7 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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13
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi · 39 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 202 Loop
847 ft · 14 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on AZ 202 Loop East
1.2 km · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left onto Santan Freeway
3.1 mi · 4 min · Santan Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North
1.2 mi · 1 min · Price Freeway
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18
Merge slight left onto Price Freeway
9.3 mi · 11 min · Price Freeway
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19
Continue on Pima Freeway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Pima Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Chaparral Road
2092 ft · 53 sec
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21
Turn left onto East Chaparral Road
1.1 km · 2 min · East Chaparral Road
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22
Turn left
19 m · 5 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Rico and Scottsdale.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Nogales–Tucson Highway
Merge slight left onto Nogales–Tucson Highway
52 mi · 00h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Rio Rico and Sunny near Scottsdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rio Rico to Scottsdale?
The road trip is about 174.1 miles (280.2 km) and usually takes 02h 46m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Avra Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.1 miles from Rio Rico and 87 miles from Scottsdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.7 miles (242.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:58 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.70 one way or $57.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rio Rico and Sunny near Scottsdale.
Stop Ideas Near Avra Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Avra Valley.
Tucson
Maricopa
Benson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rio Rico and Scottsdale. Straight-line distance: 150.71 mi (242.54 km).
#1 Rio Rico
Situated within the Santa Cruz River Valley at an elevation of 3481 feet, this census-designated place in Santa Cruz County functions largely as a residential community north of Nogales.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 31.4714800, -110.9764800 |
| Altitude | 1061 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Scottsdale
The fourth most populous city in Arizona and the center of the Scottsdale metropolitan area.
| Population | 262,647 |
| Coordinates | 33.5092100, -111.8990300 |
| Altitude | 383 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-111.898944, 33.509209)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $28.70 | $57.40 |
| Mid-grade | $5.03 | $30.91 | $61.82 |
| Premium | $5.36 | $32.93 | $65.86 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $38.51 | $77.02 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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