Try downloading Google Earth. It will give you not only the shortest route, but also calculate the mileage and estimated journey time. See related link.
Scottsdale to Palm Springs is a driving distance of 278 miles.
Driving Distance: 268 mi , Duration: 3 hours 57 mins, Route: I-10 W
The driving distance from Palm Springs, CA, USA to Carlsbad, CA, USA is 102.19mi / 164.46km
Driving Distance: 770 mi , Duration: 11 hours 7 mins , Route: I-40 W
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Palm Springs, CA is 1,444 miles.
The driving distance from Palm Springs, CA to Houston, TX is 1,442 miles.
The driving distance from Winnipeg, MB, Canada to Palm Springs, CA, USA is 1997.28mi / 3214.31km
The driving distance between Ontario CA and Palm Springs CA is about 73.1 road miles.
The driving distance from Palm Springs, CA, USA to San Francisco, CA, USA is 487.5mi / 784.55km
The driving distance is 465 mi using I-5 as a route. "as the crow flies" is 392 miles
268 miles
3040 km