Origin
Catalina Foothills, AZ
Morning in Catalina Foothills on Thursday
Local time
9:21 AM
MST
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Catalina Foothills, AZ to Chandler, AZ
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 54m
Distance
96.7 mi
156 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 46m
★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Catalina Foothills, AZ
Mark Direen
Chandler, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Catalina Foothills, AZ to Chandler, AZ covers 96.7 miles and takes about 1h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, East River Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 49.8 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.26 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.
Midpoint
48.3 miles from Catalina Foothills, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 96.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (6%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 54m drive with frequent turns across 96.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 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 49.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,575 ft
1,214 ft
Total Climb
79 ft
Total Descent
1,441 ft
Highest Point
2,575 ft
Elevation Range
1,362 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 1.3 miles in near East River Road.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 54m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (East River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
5
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
East River Road
Turn right onto East River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
9.7 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Merge onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
83.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 175
Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
6
83.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
AZ 587
Turn left onto AZ 587
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
96.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
|
East Chandler Boulevard
Turn right onto East Chandler Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Catalina Foothills, AZ to Chandler, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Gilbert along the way.
Gilbert
83.6 mi in
|
~1h 32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 49.8 mi | 50m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 24.1 mi | 24m |
| East River Road | 7.7 mi | 13m |
| South Arizona Avenue | 7 mi | 12m |
| AZ 587 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| North Hacienda del Sol Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| West Orange Grove Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Casa Grande Highway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 49.8 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Catalina Foothills, AZ and Chandler, AZ.
1
Start on North Hacienda del Sol Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Hacienda del Sol Road
2
Turn right onto East River Road
7.7 mi
·
13 min
·
East River Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto West Orange Grove Road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Orange Grove Road
4
Turn right onto North Casa Grande Highway
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
North Casa Grande Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 10 West
6
Merge onto I 10
50 mi
·
50 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
24 mi
·
24 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 175
Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto AZ 587
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
AZ 587
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Continue on AZ 87
7.0 mi
·
12 min
·
South Arizona Avenue
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto East Chandler Boulevard
47 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Chandler Boulevard
Use the right lane.
12
Arrive at destination
East Chandler Boulevard
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.3 miles from Catalina Foothills, AZ, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.8 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 21 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.3 miles or 56m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chandler, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Catalina Foothills, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Catalina Foothills, AZ
This is one driving day of about 96.7 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Catalina Foothills, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 49.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.3 mi from Catalina Foothills, AZ · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.3 miles from Catalina Foothills, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chandler, AZ
The final approach into Chandler, 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
$19.26 one way
$38.53 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $20.39 | $40.77 |
| premium | $5.59 | $21.29 | $42.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.35 | $42.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29 | 0 | $10.15 | $4.64 |
| Efficient EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.46 | $3.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.54 | $6.19 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Chandler, AZ
Morning in Chandler on Thursday
Local time
9:21 AM
MST
Current temp
90°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
35 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
1h 54m 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 Foothills, AZ to Chandler, AZ covers 96.7 miles and takes about 1h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, East River Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.3 miles from Catalina Foothills, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.26 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 is a straightforward 1h 54m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (East River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Catalina Foothills, AZ to Chandler, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Gilbert along the way.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 1,214 ft to 2,575 ft elevation with about 79 ft of total climbing.
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Return Trip
Chandler, AZ to Catalina Foothills, AZPlan the drive back the other way.
96.8 mi
1h 54m
Continue From Chandler, AZ
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