How far is Scottsdale, AZ from Rio Verde, AZ?
The driving distance from Scottsdale, AZ to Rio Verde, AZ is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 19.6 miles (31.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m 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 00h 52m.
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.
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 Rio Verde.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale and Rio Verde.
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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
4.6 mi · 5 min · Pima Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward Shea Boulevard
2408 ft · 59 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Shea Boulevard, Fountain Hills
84 m · 6 sec
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7
Turn straight onto East Shea Boulevard
8.7 mi · 14 min · East Shea Boulevard
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8
Turn left onto North Fountain Hills Boulevard
3.8 mi · 7 min · North Fountain Hills Boulevard
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9
Continue on East McDowell Mountain Road
8.1 mi · 20 min · East McDowell Mountain Road
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10
Continue on North Forest Road
1 km · 2 min · North Forest Road
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11
Turn left onto East Four Peaks Boulevard
1943 ft · 2 min · East Four Peaks Boulevard
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12
Turn right onto North Medelice Lane
592 ft · 26 sec · North Medelice Lane
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Medelice Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Scottsdale and Rio Verde.
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.
East Shea Boulevard
Turn straight onto East Shea Boulevard
8.72 mi · 00h 14m
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.
Clear leaving Scottsdale and Clear near Rio Verde.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Scottsdale to Rio Verde?
The road trip is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Fountain Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.9 miles from Scottsdale and 13.9 miles from Rio Verde.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 19.6 miles (31.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 4:44 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.58 one way or $9.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Scottsdale and Clear near Rio Verde.
Stop Ideas Near Fountain Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
City of Mesa Customer Service
Mesa Police Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fountain Hills.
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 Rio Verde. Straight-line distance: 19.55 mi (31.47 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 Rio Verde
Located in the high Sonoran Desert of Maricopa County at an elevation of 1617 feet, this unincorporated community is situated northeast of Scottsdale near the Verde River.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.7225400, -111.6756900 |
| Altitude | 493 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rio Verde (-111.67569, 33.72254)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 45 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $4.58 | $9.16 |
| Mid-grade | $5.03 | $4.93 | $9.87 |
| Premium | $5.36 | $5.26 | $10.51 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $6.15 | $12.29 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026