How far is Yuma, AZ from Payson, AZ?
The driving distance from Yuma, AZ to Payson, AZ is about 272.7 miles (438.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 216.7 miles (348.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 19m 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 05h 09m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Yuma and Payson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Yuma and Payson.
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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
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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
19.8 mi · 23 min · Papago Freeway
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16
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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17
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
12.5 mi · 15 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
1828 ft · 47 sec
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22
Turn left onto North Country Club Drive
2799 ft · 1 min · North Country Club Drive
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23
Continue on North Beeline Highway
4.5 mi · 5 min · North Beeline Highway
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24
Continue on Beeline Highway
67.7 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Beeline Highway
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Beeline Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Yuma and Payson.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Yuma and Sunny near Payson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Yuma to Payson?
The road trip is about 272.7 miles (438.8 km) and usually takes 05h 09m 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?
Buckeye is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136.3 miles from Yuma and 136.4 miles from Payson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 216.7 miles (348.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 56 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 6:40 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.63 one way or $95.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Yuma and Sunny near Payson.
Stop Ideas Near Buckeye
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Arizona Department of Economic Security
City of Buckeye, Government Offices
City of Buckeye, City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buckeye.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Yuma and Payson. Straight-line distance: 216.72 mi (348.77 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 Payson
Town in Gila County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 15,947 |
| Coordinates | 34.2308700, -111.3251400 |
| Altitude | 1500 |
| Country | United States |
End: Payson (-111.32514, 34.23087)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 439 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $47.63 | $95.26 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $51.35 | $102.70 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $53.54 | $107.09 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $61.24 | $122.48 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.