How far is Scottsdale, AZ from Cottonwood, AZ?
The driving distance from Scottsdale, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ is about 315.5 miles (507.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 210.6 miles (338.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 26m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
The most populous city in Coconino County, Arizona.
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 Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale and Cottonwood.
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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
22 mi · 25 min · Pima Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
2406 ft · 46 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 17 North: Flagstaff
1.6 km · 2 min
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7
Keep slight left
1359 ft · 33 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
23.2 mi · 25 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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9
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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10
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
13.4 mi · 14 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
77.3 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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12
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
1 km · 44 sec · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
2458 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
61.4 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Purple Heart Trail
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15
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 87 North: Second Mesa
2179 ft · 1 min
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16
Turn left onto Winslow–Kayenta Highway
39.1 mi · 45 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
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17
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi · 5 min · AZ 87
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18
Continue on Winslow–Kayenta Highway
16.7 mi · 19 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
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19
At the end of the road, turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
11.7 mi · 14 min · Arizona State Highway 264
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20
Turn left onto Indian Route 60
6.6 mi · 16 min · Indian Route 60
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21
Continue on Hopi Route 65
8.4 mi · 20 min · Hopi Route 65
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22
Continue on Navajo Route 65
1.3 mi · 3 min · Navajo Route 65
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23
Continue on Indian Route 65
2.8 mi · 7 min · Indian Route 65
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24
Continue on Navajo Route 65
1.9 mi · 5 min · Navajo Route 65
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25
At the end of the road, turn right onto Navajo Route 4
4 mi · 10 min · Navajo Route 4
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26
Continue on Indian Route 4
1.8 mi · 4 min · Indian Route 4
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27
Continue on Navajo Route 4
6.4 mi · 16 min · Navajo Route 4
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28
Turn right
1460 ft · 1 min
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Scottsdale and Cottonwood.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Arizona Veterans Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
77.3 mi · 01h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Scottsdale and Sunny near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Scottsdale to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 315.5 miles (507.8 km) and usually takes 06h 26m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Flagstaff is a useful midpoint, sitting about 157.8 miles from Scottsdale and 157.7 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 210.6 miles (338.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 104.9 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 7:30 AM MST. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $55.10 one way or $110.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Scottsdale and Cottonwood, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Scottsdale and Sunny near Cottonwood.
Stop Ideas Near Flagstaff
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
United States Postal Service
Flagstaff City Hall
Flagstaff Public Works Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Flagstaff.
Flagstaff Station
Flagstaff (Greyhound), Arizona
Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona
Williams, Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Scottsdale and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 210.57 mi (338.88 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 Cottonwood
City in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 12,762 |
| Coordinates | 36.0730600, -109.8923400 |
| Altitude | 1850 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-109.89234, 36.07306)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 508 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $55.10 | $110.21 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $59.41 | $118.82 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $61.95 | $123.90 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $70.85 | $141.71 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.