How far is Scottsdale, AZ from Cave Creek, AZ?
The driving distance from Scottsdale, AZ to Cave Creek, AZ is about 26.2 miles (42.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22.6 miles (36.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 20m 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 40m.
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.
Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Scottsdale and Cave Creek.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale and Cave Creek.
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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
1.7 mi · 4 min · North Tom Darlington Drive
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9
Turn straight onto North Tom Darlington Drive
1426 ft · 30 sec · North Tom Darlington Drive
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10
Turn left onto East Cave Creek Road
1.7 mi · 5 min · East Cave Creek Road
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Cave Creek Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Scottsdale and Cave Creek.
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.
Sunny leaving Scottsdale and Clear near Cave Creek.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Scottsdale to Cave Creek?
The road trip is about 26.2 miles (42.1 km) and usually takes 00h 40m 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 Scottsdale and 13 miles from Cave Creek.
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 3.6 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 7:10 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.55 one way or $9.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Scottsdale and Clear near Cave Creek.
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 Cave Creek. Straight-line distance: 22.59 mi (36.36 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 Cave Creek
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 5,986 |
| Coordinates | 33.8333716, -111.9507042 |
| Altitude | 648 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cave Creek (-111.950704, 33.833372)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 42 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $4.55 | $9.11 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $4.91 | $9.82 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $5.12 | $10.24 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $5.86 | $11.71 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.