Origin
Benson, AZ
Evening in Benson on Sunday
Local time
5:48 PM
MST
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Benson, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
2h 51m
Distance
159.9 mi
257 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 40m
★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Benson, AZ
Александр Романов
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
Traveling from Benson to Phoenix covers 160.1 miles across the Desert Southwest, typically taking about 2 hours and 32 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will navigate via East 4th Street, I-10 West, and the South Freeway to reach the Phoenix area. Budgeting around $31 for fuel should comfortably cover your travel costs. Whether you are heading to the city for business or leisure, the drive is straightforward and efficient. It offers a reliable connection between these two Arizona locations, making it a practical choice for your travel itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.9 miles from Benson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that requires your full attention as you transition between road types. While you will spend time on I-10 West and the South Freeway, the journey includes local segments like East 4th Street, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 0 miles. You should be prepared for a mix of driving environments rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The road’s personality shifts from local surface streets to high-traffic freeway corridors as you approach the Phoenix metro area. Staying alert through these transitions is key to a smooth experience behind the wheel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 54.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 159.9 miles you will encounter 7 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 1.7 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.1 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.9 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 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist toward I 10 West: Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tucson
6
55.1 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
155.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m 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
157.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m 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
159.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.5 mi | 55m |
| I 10 Bus | 43.6 mi | 46m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 38.1 mi | 38m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| South Freeway | 6 mi | 6m |
| East 4th Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| South 7th Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| East Washington Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benson, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on South San Pedro Street
16 ft
·
6 sec
·
South San Pedro Street
2
Turn left onto I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East 4th Street
3
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
44 mi
·
46 min
·
I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 10 West: Tucson
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
12 mi
·
13 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
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid peak traffic. Plan for at least one stop during your 160.1-mile journey to stretch your legs and refresh before entering the city. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, keeping that $31 budget in mind as you navigate the transition from rural desert roads to the South Freeway. Because the route involves multiple road types, check your GPS frequently when leaving Benson to ensure you get onto I-10 West efficiently. Taking advantage of the route's brevity allows you to arrive in Phoenix with plenty of energy for your afternoon or evening plans.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.9 miles from Benson, AZ, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.9 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Benson, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Benson, AZ
This is one driving day of about 159.9 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Benson, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.9 mi from Benson, AZ · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.9 miles from Benson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
The final approach into Phoenix, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Phoenix, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.82 one way
$63.65 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $33.60 | $67.21 |
| premium | $5.59 | $35.17 | $70.34 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.52 | $71.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48 | 0 | $16.79 | $7.68 |
| Efficient EV | 40 | 0 | $13.99 | $6.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64 | 0 | $22.39 | $10.23 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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
Evening in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
5:48 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
18 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
2h 51m 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 Benson, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 159.9 miles and takes about 2h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, I 10 Bus, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.9 miles from Benson, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.82 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 159.9 miles you will encounter 7 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 1.7 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.1 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.9 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Benson, AZ to Phoenix, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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