How far is Scottsdale, AZ from Carefree, AZ?
The driving distance from Scottsdale, AZ to Carefree, AZ is about 24.3 miles (39.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.7 miles (34.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 35m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Scottsdale and Carefree.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale and Carefree.
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1
Start on the route
19 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
1.1 km · 1 min · East Chaparral Road
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3
Turn left onto AZ 101 Loop North
1909 ft · 51 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
11.2 mi · 13 min · Pima Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Scottsdale Road
1841 ft · 45 sec
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6
Turn straight onto Pima Freeway
579 ft · 14 sec · Pima Freeway
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7
Turn right onto North Scottsdale Road
9.7 mi · 15 min · North Scottsdale Road
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8
Continue on North Tom Darlington Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Tom Darlington Drive
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9
Turn slight right onto North Bloody Basin Road
2156 ft · 1 min · North Bloody Basin Road
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Tranquil Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Scottsdale and Carefree.
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.
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.
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.
Clear leaving Scottsdale and Clear near Carefree.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Scottsdale to Carefree?
The road trip is about 24.3 miles (39.1 km) and usually takes 00h 35m 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 12.2 miles from Scottsdale and 12.1 miles from Carefree.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.7 miles (34.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.6 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 7:18 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.26 one way or $8.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Scottsdale and Clear near Carefree.
Stop Ideas Near Paradise Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
Scottsdale City Council
Scottsdale City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Paradise Valley.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Scottsdale and Carefree. Straight-line distance: 21.65 mi (34.85 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Carefree
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 3,974 |
| Coordinates | 33.8222600, -111.9182000 |
| Altitude | 726 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carefree (-111.9182, 33.82226)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 39 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $4.26 | $8.52 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $4.59 | $9.18 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $4.79 | $9.57 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $5.47 | $10.95 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.