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Trip from Avondale, AZ to San Tan Valley, AZ

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 27m

Distance

65.4 mi

105 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 20 min
4 AM
1h 20m ★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 32m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 40m
8 PM
1h 23m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Avondale, AZ, AZ

Avondale, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Downtown San Tan Valley, AZ, AZ

San Tan Valley, AZ

Mark Direen

Trip Overview

The drive from Avondale, AZ to San Tan Valley, AZ covers 65.4 miles and takes about 1h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Papago Freeway, US 60, Maricopa Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 19.4 miles on Papago Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.03 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 27m. Total distance: 65.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 27m highway drive covering 65.4 miles, with most of the trip on Papago Freeway and US 60. The longest continuous stretch is about 19.4 miles on Papago Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Papago Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 19.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Papago Freeway and US 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near South Dysart Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.4 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (South Dysart Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 27 miles (US 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | South Dysart Road

At end of road, turn left onto South Dysart Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
2 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Phoenix

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
8
27 mi into trip | ~32m in | US 60

Take the exit onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 154 Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
7
45.7 mi into trip | ~54m in

Take the exit toward AZ Loop 202 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 190B Toward AZ Loop 202 South
7
49.3 mi into trip | ~59m in

Take the exit toward AZ 24 East

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 34A Toward AZ 24 East

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Avondale, AZ and San Tan Valley, AZ, road signs point toward Globe and Az Loop 202 South.

Globe

27 mi in | ~32m | via US 60

Az Loop 202 South

45.7 mi in | ~54m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Papago Freeway 19.4 mi 22m
US 60 18.7 mi 21m
Maricopa Freeway 4.8 mi 5m
North Ironwood Road 3.4 mi 5m
Santan Freeway 2.9 mi 3m
Gateway Freeway 2.5 mi 3m
East Combs Road 2 mi 3m
North Gantzel Road 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Papago Freeway — 19.4 mi, about 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Avondale, AZ and San Tan Valley, AZ.

1

Start on this road

27 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto North Central Avenue

89 ft · 9 sec · North Central Avenue
3

Turn left onto East Western Avenue

0.5 mi · 57 sec · East Western Avenue
Use the left lane.
4

At end of road, turn left onto South Dysart Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Dysart Road
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix Use the right lane.
6

Merge onto I 10

15 mi · 17 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
8

Continue on I 10

3.2 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 10; US 60

4.8 mi · 5 min · Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit onto US 60

19 mi · 21 min · US 60
Exit 154 Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 190B Toward AZ Loop 202 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto AZ 202 Loop

2.9 mi · 3 min · Santan Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 2 min
Exit 34A Toward AZ 24 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on AZ 24

1.6 mi · 1 min · Gateway Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 24 sec · this road
Exit 2
17

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 44 sec · this road
18

Continue on AZ 24

0.6 mi · 59 sec · Gateway Freeway
19

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 43 sec · this road
Exit 3
20

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 37 sec · this road
21

Continue on AZ 24

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Gateway Freeway
22

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 34 sec · this road
Exit 4
23

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 40 sec · this road
24

Continue on AZ 24

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Gateway Expressway
25

Continue on AZ 24

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Gateway Expressway
Exit 5
26

Turn right onto North Ironwood Road

3.4 mi · 5 min · North Ironwood Road
Use the left lane.
27

Continue on North Gantzel Road

2.0 mi · 3 min · North Gantzel Road
28

Turn left onto East Combs Road

2.0 mi · 3 min · East Combs Road
29

Turn right onto North Schnepf Road

2.0 mi · 4 min · North Schnepf Road
30

Arrive at destination

East Skyline Drive

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 32.7 mi from Avondale, AZ · 39m into the drive

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tempe, AZ

33 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

Phoenix, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tempe, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32.7 miles from Avondale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in San Tan Valley, AZ

The final approach into San Tan Valley, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.03 one way

$26.06 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $13.79 $27.58
premium $5.59 $14.40 $28.79
diesel $5.61 $14.44 $28.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$13

Estimated CO2 emission: 22.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 19.6 0 $6.87 $3.14
Efficient EV 16.4 0 $5.72 $2.62
EV Truck/SUV 26.2 0 $9.16 $4.19

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (65% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Avondale, AZ

Night in Avondale on Thursday

Local time

9:39 PM

MST

Current temp

90°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Tan Valley, AZ

Night in San Tan Valley on Thursday

Local time

9:39 PM

MST

Current temp

90°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

1h 27m 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 Avondale, AZ to San Tan Valley, AZ covers 65.4 miles and takes about 1h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Papago Freeway, US 60, Maricopa Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.7 miles from Avondale, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.03 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.4 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (South Dysart Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 27 miles (US 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Avondale, AZ and San Tan Valley, AZ, road signs point toward Globe and Az Loop 202 South.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.

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