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Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
153.4 mi
247 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cactus Flat, AZ
🇻🇳🇻🇳 Việt Anh Nguyễn 🇻🇳🇻🇳
Gilbert, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Cactus Flat, AZ to Gilbert, AZ covers 153.4 miles and takes about 3h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Center Street, Phoenix–Globe Highway, Superstition Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 66.5 miles on East Center Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.56 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
76.7 miles from Cactus Flat, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
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Expect a 3h 27m drive with frequent turns across 153.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
1,915 ft
Total Descent
3,807 ft
Highest Point
4,506 ft
~98.6 mi in
Elevation Range
3,270 ft
Notable High Points
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in near West Main Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 27m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.3 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.8 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 83.1 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward Gilbert Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto North Elm Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Center Street | 66.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 42.9 mi | 55m |
| Superstition Freeway | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| Bowie Junction-Safford Highway | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| West Thatcher Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| East Ash Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cactus Flat, AZ and Gilbert, AZ.
Start on US 191
Turn left onto West Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
Turn left onto US 70
Continue on US 70
Continue on US 70
Continue on US 70
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
Turn right onto South Hill Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Turn right onto North Broad Street
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
Take the exit
Turn left onto South Gilbert Road
Turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
Turn right onto North Elm Street
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.7 miles or 1h 41m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gilbert, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cactus Flat, 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 Cactus Flat, AZ
This is one driving day of about 153.4 miles and 3h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.7 mi from Cactus Flat, AZ · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76.7 miles from Cactus Flat, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East Center Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 miles.
The final approach into Gilbert, 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 Gilbert, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$30.56 one way
$61.12 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $32.34 | $64.68 |
| premium | $5.59 | $33.77 | $67.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.87 | $67.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46 | 0 | $16.11 | $7.36 |
| Efficient EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.42 | $6.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.48 | $9.82 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Cactus Flat on Wednesday
Local time
5:30 AM
MST
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 7:45PM MST until April 13 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Destination
Late night in Gilbert on Wednesday
Local time
5:30 AM
MST
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 7:45PM MST until April 13 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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