Origin
Apache Junction, AZ
Late night in Apache Junction on Saturday
Local time
2:36 AM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Apache Junction, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
45m
Distance
35.3 mi
57 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Apache Junction, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Phoenix, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Apache Junction, AZ to Phoenix, AZ is 35.3 miles and takes about 45m via Superstition Freeway, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a short, straightforward drive entirely within Arizona's Desert Southwest region. It's a practical connection between two points, ideal for a quick transit or a day trip. You'll primarily be on well-established freeways, making it an easy and efficient journey. Consider this route for its simplicity and speed, connecting you between the Apache Junction area and the greater Phoenix metropolitan area without much fuss.
About the Cities
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1868
Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona, the most populous city in the American Southwest. Warm and sunny winter weather have ensured a thriving tourism industry, and the city has become the region's primary political, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is extremely hot and dry in the summertime, so always have sunscreen with you! It had about 1,625,000 residents in 2021, and is the fifth largest city in the United States.
Top landmarks
- • Arizona State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Arizona
- • Phoenix Art Museum — art museum in Phoenix, Arizona
- • St. Mary's Basilica — Roman Catholic church in Phoenix, Arizona
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 45m. Total distance: 35.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 85% of the route utilizing major freeways. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a continuous segment of 22.6 miles on the Superstition Freeway. The journey transitions onto the Maricopa Freeway before concluding on local roads like South Ironwood Drive as you approach your destination. Expect a driving experience characterized by smooth, high-speed travel for the majority of the trip, with a brief shift in character as you enter the urban environment of Phoenix.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Superstition Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 22.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Superstition Freeway and Maricopa Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near South Ironwood Drive.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 35.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (South Ironwood Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South Ironwood Drive
Turn left onto South Ironwood Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward US 60 West: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 60 West: Phoenix
8
31.3 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
8
33.2 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
6
34.8 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Superstition Freeway | 22.6 mi | 26m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| South Ironwood Drive | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| South 7th Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| West Apache Trail | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| US 60 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| East Washington Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Apache Trail | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Superstition Freeway
— 22.6 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apache Junction, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on North Apache Trail
196 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Apache Trail
2
Continue on North Apache Trail
376 ft
·
23 sec
·
North Apache Trail
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 80 Hist
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Apache Trail
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto South Ironwood Drive
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South Ironwood Drive
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward US 60 West: Phoenix
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 60
23 mi
·
26 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 60
Toward I 10 North
8
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Maricopa Freeway
12
Turn right onto South 7th Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South 7th Street
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.7 mi from Apache Junction, AZ · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.7 miles from Apache Junction, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Phoenix, AZ if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.03 one way
$14.06 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $7.44 | $14.88 |
| premium | $5.59 | $7.77 | $15.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.79 | $15.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.71 | $1.69 |
| Efficient EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.09 | $1.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.94 | $2.26 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Late night in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
2:36 AM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
90°F
Guadalupe, AZ
18 mi in
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
33 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
45m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Apache Junction, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 35.3 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Superstition Freeway, Maricopa Freeway, South Ironwood Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.7 miles from Apache Junction, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.03 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 35.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 45m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (South Ironwood Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Apache Junction, AZ to Phoenix, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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