Ely, NV to Scottsdale, AZ Road Trip Guide

This 510-mile journey from Ely, NV to Scottsdale, AZ traverses three distinct physiographic provinces: the Basin and Range, the Colorado Plateau, and the Sonoran Desert. The route follows US-93, US-6, US-89, and I-17, with a total driving time of approximately 8 hours without stops.

Ely sits at 6,435 feet, while Scottsdale lies at 1,259 feet—a dramatic descent that shapes the climate, vegetation, and driving conditions. The road passes through the Nevada Test and Training Range, the Grand Staircase-Escalante region, and the Verde Valley.

The route showcases extreme geological diversity. From Ely's treeless sagebrush steppe, you climb into Utah's red rock country, passing the Paria Plateau and the Painted Desert. The descent into the Verde Valley reveals cacti-studded foothills before reaching the manicured desert of Scottsdale.

Key attractions include Cathedral Gorge State Park (near Pioche), the Kanab area (Bone Cave, Jackson Flat Reservoir), and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument east of Flagstaff. For local commerce, stop at the Kanab Mercantile for handmade soap or the Pioche Mining Museum.

For a deeper dive into finding unique stops, read how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

• Cathedral Gorge State Park: 111 Cathedral Gorge State Park Rd, Panaca, NV 89042
• Kanab Mercantile: 284 100 E, Kanab, UT 84741
• Pioche Mining Museum: 700 Main St, Pioche, NV 89043
• Sunset Crater Volcano NM: 6082 Sunset Crater Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

Infrastructure safety is adequate; all highways are paved and well-marked. Emergency services are available in Pioche, Kanab, and Flagstaff. Cell coverage is intermittent between Pioche and Kanab. Download offline maps. Carry extra water and a first-aid kit.

For families, the best stops include: Cathedral Gorge for hiking (easy trails), Kanab's dinosaur tracks at the Bureau of Land Management site, and the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff for kids 6+. Pet-friendly stops: Pioche City Park (off-leash area), Kanab's dog park at 475 E Kanab Creek Dr, and rest areas along I-17 with pet stations.

To manage fatigue, plan stops every 2 hours. Rest zones: Pioche (30 min), Kanab (1 hour), Flagstaff (1.5 hours). Caffeine stops include Coffee Hub in Kanab (30 S 100 E) and Macy's European Coffeehouse in Flagstaff (14 S Beaver St).

• Family Stop: Cathedral Gorge Nature Trail (1.5 miles, easy)
• Family Stop: Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitor Center, 745 E Hwy 89, Kanab, UT
• Pet Stop: Pioche City Park, 300 N Main St, Pioche, NV 89043
• Rest Alert: Download offline maps for US-93 section

Culinary infrastructure: Best meals include pie at the Pioche Coffee Shop, Navajo tacos at Kanab's Rocking V Cafe, and green chile burgers at the Diablo Burger in Flagstaff. For a sit-down dinner in Scottsdale, try The Mission on Marshall Way.

Fuel stops are sparse between Ely and Kanab. The longest stretch without services is 110 miles from Pioche to Kanab. Fill up in Ely at the Chevron on US-93, and again in Pioche at the Shell station. After Kanab, fuel is available every 30-50 miles.

Road quality varies: US-93 in Nevada is well-maintained but narrow in places; US-89 in Utah is scenic but winding; I-17 in Arizona is a modern freeway. Watch for wildlife on US-89 near the Vermilion Cliffs. Weather can cause closures—check NPS road alerts for Grand Staircase-Escalante.

• Ely Fuel: Chevron, 400 Ave A, Ely, NV 89301
• Pioche Fuel: Shell, 694 N Main St, Pioche, NV 89043
• Kanab Fuel: Sinbad's, 86 S 100 E, Kanab, UT 84741
• Flagstaff Fuel: Maverik, 3016 E Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86004