Origin
Catalina, AZ
Afternoon in Catalina on Sunday
Local time
4:44 PM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Catalina, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
107.6 mi
173 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 3m
★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Catalina, AZ
Allie
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
Traveling from Catalina to Phoenix covers 107.9 miles of the Desert Southwest and typically takes about 1 hour and 53 minutes. Because this is a relatively short distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $21 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. You will navigate primarily through local roads like North Elkins Road, Edwin Road, and Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard. Since this route avoids major interstates entirely, it offers a distinct alternative to the typical highway travel found throughout the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
53.8 miles from Catalina, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. With a 0% highway share, you will spend the entire 107.9 miles navigating surface streets rather than cruising on high-speed interstates. The experience feels much more intimate than a standard commute, requiring you to navigate curves and local intersections consistently. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, the drive maintains a steady, technical pace from start to finish. Expect to stay engaged as the road winds through the desert landscape, providing a driving experience defined by its local character.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pinal Pioneer Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pinal Pioneer Parkway and Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 107.6 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.9 miles (AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79): Lane positioning matters here; at 103.6 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 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway
Turn right onto AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
4.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79
Turn left onto AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
103.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m 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
105.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m 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
107.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pinal Pioneer Parkway | 35.9 mi | 41m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 23.2 mi | 23m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| Florence-Coolidge Highway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway | 7 mi | 9m |
| Junction I-10-Mesa Highway | 7 mi | 8m |
| South Pinal Parkway Avenue | 5 mi | 6m |
| Tucson-Globe Highway | 3.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
— 35.9 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Catalina, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on East Pinto Place
491 ft
·
27 sec
·
East Pinto Place
2
Turn left onto North Elkins Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Elkins Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Edwin Road
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Edwin Road
4
Turn left onto Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
5
Turn right onto AZ 77
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Tucson-Globe Highway
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto AZ 79; US 80 Hist
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
State Route 79
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
36 mi
·
41 min
·
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Pinal Parkway Avenue
Use the none lane.
9
Turn left onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
10
Enter roundabout onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
119 ft
·
2 sec
·
AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
11
Continue on AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
407 ft
·
7 sec
·
AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
12
Enter roundabout onto AZ 287
260 ft
·
4 sec
·
Florence-Coolidge Highway
13
Continue on AZ 287
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Florence-Coolidge Highway
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on AZ 87
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
Use the none lane.
15
Turn left onto AZ 387
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
16
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 387
520 ft
·
10 sec
·
Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
18
Merge onto I 10
23 mi
·
23 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 10
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Maricopa Freeway
23
Turn right onto South 7th Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South 7th Street
Use the none lane.
24
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 1-hour and 53-minute trek, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the route is short enough to drive in one go. Keep in mind that because you are utilizing local roads like Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard instead of major highways, traffic patterns may shift depending on the time of day. Ensure your gas tank is prepared for the $21 fuel cost before you head out, as local roads may offer fewer refueling options than an interstate corridor. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to double-check your GPS settings to ensure you are routed via the intended local roads, as navigation systems often default to faster highway alternatives.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.8 miles from Catalina, AZ, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.8 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 47m
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 Catalina, 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 Catalina, AZ
This is one driving day of about 107.6 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Catalina, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Pinal Pioneer Parkway for about 35.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.8 mi from Catalina, AZ · 1h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 53.8 miles from Catalina, 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
$21.41 one way
$42.83 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $22.61 | $45.23 |
| premium | $5.59 | $23.67 | $47.34 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.90 | $47.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.3 | 0 | $11.30 | $5.16 |
| Efficient EV | 26.9 | 0 | $9.42 | $4.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43 | 0 | $15.06 | $6.89 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
4:44 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
55°F
Florence, AZ
54 mi in
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
8 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 11m 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 Catalina, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 107.6 miles and takes about 2h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pinal Pioneer Parkway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, 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 53.8 miles from Catalina, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.41 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 107.6 miles you will encounter 17 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 0.9 miles (AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79): Lane positioning matters here; at 103.6 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Catalina, AZ to Phoenix, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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