How far is Yuma, AZ from Carefree, AZ?
The driving distance from Yuma, AZ to Carefree, AZ is about 213.8 miles (344 km), with a travel time of about 04h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 173.7 miles (279.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 04h 08m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Yuma and Carefree.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yuma and Carefree.
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1
Start on North 4th Avenue
1337 ft · 23 sec · North 4th Avenue
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2
Continue on Winterhaven Drive
658 ft · 16 sec · Winterhaven Drive
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3
Take the ramp slight right
1310 ft · 32 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Kumeyaay Highway
1026 ft · 12 sec · Kumeyaay Highway
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5
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
114.2 mi · 1 hr 59 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
1190 ft · 29 sec
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7
Continue on East Pima Street
3.3 mi · 6 min · East Pima Street
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8
Continue on Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
1.1 km · 2 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
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9
Turn left onto Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
1548 ft · 44 sec · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
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10
Continue on Arizona State Highway 85
28.1 mi · 33 min · Arizona State Highway 85
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11
Continue on Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
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12
Continue on South Oglesby Road
3.7 mi · 5 min · South Oglesby Road
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East: Phoenix
1.1 km · 2 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
11.7 mi · 13 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on Papago Freeway
8.1 mi · 9 min · Papago Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right
1 mi · 2 min
-
17
Continue on Agua Fria Freeway
21.3 mi · 25 min · Agua Fria Freeway
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18
Continue on Pima Freeway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Pima Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Cave Creek Road
2076 ft · 39 sec
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on Cave Creek Road, National Memorial Cemetery
154 m · 12 sec
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21
Turn slight left onto North Cave Creek Road
9.7 mi · 16 min · North Cave Creek Road
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22
Turn right onto East Carefree Highway
2.1 mi · 4 min · East Carefree Highway
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23
Turn left onto North Tom Darlington Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Tom Darlington Drive
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24
Turn slight right onto North Bloody Basin Road
2156 ft · 1 min · North Bloody Basin Road
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Tranquil Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Yuma and Carefree.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Blue Star Memorial Highway
Continue on Blue Star Memorial Highway
114 mi · 01h 59m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Yuma and Mostly Sunny near Carefree.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Yuma to Carefree?
The road trip is about 213.8 miles (344 km) and usually takes 04h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Gila Bend is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.8 miles from Yuma and 106.9 miles from Carefree.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 173.7 miles (279.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.1 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 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:42 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.33 one way or $74.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Yuma and Mostly Sunny near Carefree.
Stop Ideas Near Gila Bend
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Gila Bend Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gila Bend.
Maricopa
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Yuma and Carefree. Straight-line distance: 173.72 mi (279.58 km).
#1 Yuma
The most populous city in Yuma County, Arizona.
| Population | 99,811 |
| Coordinates | 32.7253200, -114.6244000 |
| Altitude | 43 |
| 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: 344 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $37.33 | $74.66 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $40.25 | $80.50 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $41.97 | $83.94 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $48.00 | $96.00 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.