Origin
Catalina, AZ
Afternoon in Catalina on Sunday
Local time
4:47 PM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Catalina, AZ to Surprise, AZ
Drive Time
2h 44m
Distance
134.4 mi
216 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 34m
★
6 AM
2h 45m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 52m
12 PM
2h 50m
3 PM
2h 53m
5 PM
3h 5m
8 PM
2h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Catalina, AZ
Allie
Surprise, AZ
Kostiantyn Zavhorodnii
Trip Overview
The drive from Catalina, AZ to Surprise, AZ covers 134.4 miles and takes about 2h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pinal Pioneer Parkway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Papago Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.9 miles on Pinal Pioneer Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.75 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
67.2 miles from Catalina, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 2h 44m highway drive covering 134.4 miles, with most of the trip on Pinal Pioneer Parkway and Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 35.9 miles on Pinal Pioneer Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 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. 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 AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 134.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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 103.6 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 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.
6
103.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / slight left lanes.
7
119.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
128.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 60
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward US 60
7
133.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
Santa Fe Drive
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
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 |
| Papago Freeway | 15 mi | 17m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 12 mi | 13m |
| Agua Fria Freeway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| Florence-Coolidge Highway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway | 7 mi | 9m |
| Junction I-10-Mesa Highway | 7 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
— 35.9 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Catalina, AZ and Surprise, 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 left at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none / slight left lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
23
Continue on I 10
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 133B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Agua Fria Freeway
Use the none lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 11
Toward US 60
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn left onto US 60
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
28
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
212 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Greenway Road
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Santa Fe Drive
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto North Nash Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Nash Street
31
Arrive at destination
North Nash Street
Trip Plan
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 67.2 miles from Catalina, AZ, or about 1h 25m 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 67.2 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surprise, 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 134.4 miles and 2h 44m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
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 67.2 mi from Catalina, AZ · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 67.2 miles from Catalina, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Surprise, AZ
The final approach into Surprise, 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 Surprise, 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
$26.75 one way
$53.50 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $28.25 | $56.49 |
| premium | $5.59 | $29.56 | $59.13 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.86 | $59.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.11 | $6.45 |
| Efficient EV | 33.6 | 0 | $11.76 | $5.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.8 | 0 | $18.82 | $8.60 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Surprise, AZ
Afternoon in Surprise on Sunday
Local time
4:47 PM
MST
Current temp
56°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
3 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 44m 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 Surprise, AZ covers 134.4 miles and takes about 2h 44m 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, Papago 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 67.2 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 $26.75 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 is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 134.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 103.6 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 119.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Catalina, AZ to Surprise, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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