Santa Clara, CA → Phoenix, AZ
618 mi · 12h 21m (driving)
Current Risk
Medium Risk
Fog expected
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Santa Clara
55°
Kings County
54°
San Bernardino County
50°
San Bernardino County
65°
Phoenix
56°
Trip Briefing
4 segments · 618 mi · 12h 22m
Weather
🌫️ Fog
54°F, wind 4 mph
Rest Stops
9
Restrooms, Truck svc, water
Cameras
3 live
Clear driving conditions expected
Rest stops in this segment:
- ● Love's Travel Stop
- ● TA
- ● Rest Area
Delays Expected
1 major incident reported · 28 construction zones on route
28 Construction Zones on Route
CA-166 eastbound: LShoulder closed for highway construction between Route 5 and Sabadan Street (South)
Kern, CA
I-5 southbound: Lane 4 of 4 closed for shoulder work between Parker Rd and Hasley Canyon Rd
Los Angeles, CA
Wintersburg Rd: Road construction - Road work, flagging operations, be prepared to stopSlow down in work zones
Wintersburg Rd: Road construction - Road work, flagging operations, be prepared to stopSlow down in work zones
Rooks Rd: Road construction - Sewer Install
Rooks Rd: Road construction - Sewer Install
+ 22 more zones along the route — see map for full list
Traffic Cameras
See recent road conditions along your route
Images are snapshots updated periodically by state DOTs. Timestamps shown in images indicate when each photo was captured.
Choose your route:
Selected Route
Via I-880 North → US-101 South → I-5 South → I-210 East → I-10
Cameras shown are along this computed route
Need a custom route?
I-880 - TVB75 -- I-880 : AT BASCOM AV SB LOOP ONRAMP - South
San Jose, CA · SB
I-5 - FRE-5-SHIELDS AVE
Firebaugh, CA ·
I-5 - FRE-5-AT RTE 33/145 SEP - South
Coalinga, CA · SB
I-5 - KER-5-N/O RTE 58 - South
Buttonwillow, CA · SB
I-5 - KER-5-AT GRAPEVINE UC - South
Lebec, CA · SB
I-210 - I-210 : (755) Hill-Maple - East
Pasadena, CA · EB
I-210 - I-210 : (108) 0.1 Miles East of County Line - East
Upland, CA · EB
I-10 - I-10 : (506) Ramsey Street - East
Banning, CA · EB
I-10 - I-10 : (533) West of Cottonwood Springs Road - Median
Mecca, CA ·
I-10 - I-10 : (559) East of SR-78 - East
Blythe, CA · EB
I-10 @New Hope (view 1)
AZ ·
I-10 @Palo Verde Pkwy
AZ ·
Live traffic on this route
Cameras, crashes and closures right now on the highways this drive uses.
Rest Stops Along Your Route
75 stops available
Swipe to see moreShowing 1-2 of 75
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⚡ Recent Weather Events on This Route
Premium users received alerts for these conditions:
- 🌫️Nov 9: Dense fog warning for morning departures - visibility below 1/4 mile
Don't miss the next alert →
Driving from Santa Clara, CA to Phoenix, AZ covers 618 miles in roughly 12h 21m of drive time, crossing state lines. We track 12 live traffic cameras, 75 rest areas and 1 reported incident along this corridor so you can plan around them. On a drive this length, weather can change dramatically between stops. Use the segment-by-segment forecast below to time your route.
7-Day Driving Outlook
Today
Nov 14
65° / 55°
No precip
Tomorrow
Nov 15
65° / 49°
No precip
Mon
Nov 16
62° / 53°
No precip
Tue
Nov 17
59° / 46°
No precip
Wed
Nov 18
58° / 49°
No precip
Thu
Nov 19
56° / 51°
No precip
Fri
Nov 20
58° / 46°
No precip
🗓️ Weekend Outlook
Saturday
Good to Go☁️ Overcast at origin, ☁️ Overcast at destination
Sunday
Use Caution🌧️ Heavy rain → 🌤️ Mainly clear. Use caution.
Plan This Route
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Current Conditions
Santa Clara, CA
55°F
Wind: 4 mph
Phoenix, AZ
56°F
Wind: 4 mph
Weather data updated in real-time
Driving from Santa Clara, CA to Phoenix, AZ
The 618-mile drive from Santa Clara, California to Phoenix, Arizona takes approximately 12h 21m under normal conditions. Weather along this route can vary significantly, especially through mountainous terrain where elevation changes can bring sudden weather shifts. Route Outlook helps you find the safest time to travel by showing you weather conditions at every point along your route, timed to when you'll actually be there.
This long-distance route crosses state lines from California into Arizona, connecting Santa Clara and Phoenix. Covering 618 miles, this is a substantial drive that will take you through diverse terrain and weather patterns. Planning ahead with real-time conditions along the entire route — not just at your destination — is essential for a safe trip.
Common Weather Hazards on This Route
- Dense fog, especially during early morning hours
- Extreme heat and dust storms in desert regions
- Flash floods during monsoon season (July through September)
Seasonal Driving Considerations
Mountain passes along this corridor can be treacherous from October through May, with chain requirements, road closures, and whiteout conditions at higher elevations. Summer brings its own challenges — afternoon thunderstorms are common above 7,000 feet, and construction season narrows lanes on key highways. Always check pass conditions before departing, and carry emergency supplies during the colder months.
Best Time to Drive Santa Clara to Phoenix
For long drives like this 618-mile journey, planning is essential. Consider breaking the trip into segments if weather looks challenging. The best approach is to check conditions for multiple departure times using Route Outlook's optimizer, which considers weather at each point when you'll actually be there.
Driving Strategy
Covering 618 miles from Santa Clara to Phoenix is a full-day or multi-day drive that requires advance planning. Break the route into manageable segments, planning fuel and rest stops every 2-3 hours. Weather that looks fine at departure may deteriorate significantly at the midpoint. Consider booking overnight accommodation if the forecast shows deteriorating conditions in the latter half. Route Outlook's segment-level weather data helps you identify exactly where and when conditions will change.
Pro Tip
Use Route Outlook's departure optimizer to find the best time to leave. Our 4D trajectory engine considers weather at each point along your route at the exact time you'll be there — not just at your destination. It also integrates live data from traffic cameras, DOT 511 feeds, and road weather sensors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Santa Clara to Phoenix?
The drive is approximately 618 miles and takes about 12h 21m under normal traffic and weather conditions. Severe weather can add significant time to your trip.
What's the best day to drive this route?
Based on current forecasts, Today (Nov 14) looks ideal. Low chance of precipitation with manageable conditions
Is it safe to drive from Santa Clara to Phoenix today?
Current conditions show medium risk along this route. Use caution and allow extra time. Reduce speed and increase following distance as conditions warrant.
Are there rest areas on the Santa Clara to Phoenix route?
Yes, there are 75 rest areas along this route. Facilities include restrooms, parking, and in some cases picnic areas and vending machines. Rest stops are spaced throughout the drive, so you'll never be too far from a break.
Can I see live traffic cameras on this route?
Yes, Route Outlook shows 12 live traffic cameras along this route, sourced from state DOT feeds. You can check road visibility, traffic flow, and pavement conditions in real time before and during your drive.
What highways does this route use?
This route primarily uses I-880 North, I-5 South, I-210 East, I-10. Conditions can vary between highway segments, so check live camera feeds and road condition reports for each stretch before departing.
Are there any road closures on this route right now?
There is currently 1 active incident along this route that may affect your drive. Check the incident details above for specific locations and expected durations.
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