Origin
Cave Creek, AZ
Evening in Cave Creek on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
MST
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cave Creek, AZ to Maryvale, AZ
Drive Time
50m
Distance
32.4 mi
52 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 46m
★
6 AM
0h 50m
8 AM
0h 58m
10 AM
0h 53m
12 PM
0h 52m
3 PM
0h 53m
5 PM
0h 58m
8 PM
0h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cave Creek, AZ
Pho Tomass
Maryvale, AZ
Mikhail Nilov
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from Cave Creek to Maryvale, you are looking at a straightforward 32.4-mile trip through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect to spend about 50 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day journey. With a fuel budget of approximately $6, it is an affordable transit that requires no overnight stops. Your route will primarily utilize East Cave Creek Road, the Black Canyon Freeway, and West Camelback Road. Whether you are heading out for business or visiting family, the trip is efficient and simple enough to complete in a single morning or afternoon.
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
16.2 miles from Cave Creek, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 32.4-mile journey offers a mixed driving profile that transitions from local roads to major arterials. You will spend roughly 43% of your time on the highway, balancing high-speed transit with typical urban road navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 12.3 miles along East Cave Creek Road before you transition toward the freeway. As you move from the desert surroundings into the more developed areas of Maryvale, the rhythm of the drive shifts from open stretches to the steady pace of the Black Canyon Freeway. It is a functional drive that requires your full attention as traffic density changes.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Cave Creek Road is the longest continuous segment at about 12.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 32.4 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 12.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
12.3 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the ramp toward AZ 101 Loop West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop West
5
12.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
16.3 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
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 23C-B
Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagsta...
7
16.8 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17 South: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 17 South: Phoenix
7
27.9 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Take the exit toward Camelback Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 203
Toward Camelback Road
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Cave Creek, AZ to Maryvale, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Flagstaff along the way.
Flagstaff
16.3 mi in
|
~26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Cave Creek Road | 12.3 mi | 21m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| West Camelback Road | 3.7 mi | 7m |
| Pima Freeway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| North 55th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Black Canyon Highway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
East Cave Creek Road
— 12.3 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cave Creek, AZ and Maryvale, AZ.
1
Start on East Cave Creek Road
12 mi
·
21 min
·
East Cave Creek Road
Use the none lane.
2
Take the ramp
394 ft
·
7 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop West
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
this road
Toward AZ 101 Loop West
Use the none lane.
4
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 23C-B
Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 17 South: Phoenix
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 17
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 203
Toward Camelback Road
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto North Black Canyon Highway
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
North Black Canyon Highway
10
Turn right onto West Camelback Road
3.7 mi
·
7 min
·
West Camelback Road
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto North 55th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North 55th Avenue
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
North 55th Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 50-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local rush hour to avoid delays on the Black Canyon Freeway. There are no mandatory stops required for a drive of this length, allowing you to head straight to your destination without needing to refuel or rest. Given that you will be navigating a mix of city streets and highways, keep an eye on your GPS as you switch from East Cave Creek Road to West Camelback Road. By staying mindful of the transition points between these main roads, you can ensure a smooth arrival in Maryvale. Use the short duration to your advantage by choosing a departure time that avoids the busiest traffic windows.
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 16.2 miles from Cave Creek, AZ, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.3 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 32.4 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.2 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maryvale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cave Creek, 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 Cave Creek, AZ
This is one driving day of about 32.4 miles and 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cave Creek, 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 East Cave Creek Road for about 12.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.2 mi from Cave Creek, AZ · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 32.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.2 miles from Cave Creek, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Maryvale, AZ
The final approach into Maryvale, 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 Maryvale, 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
$6.45 one way
$12.90 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $6.81 | $13.62 |
| premium | $5.59 | $7.13 | $14.25 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.20 | $14.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.40 | $1.56 |
| Efficient EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.83 | $1.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13 | 0 | $4.54 | $2.07 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Maryvale, AZ
Evening in Maryvale on Sunday
Local time
7:46 PM
MST
Current temp
60°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
50m 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 Cave Creek, AZ to Maryvale, AZ covers 32.4 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Cave Creek Road, Black Canyon Freeway, West Camelback Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.2 miles from Cave Creek, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.45 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 demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 32.4 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 12.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Cave Creek, AZ to Maryvale, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Flagstaff along the way.
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