Origin
Chandler, AZ
Afternoon in Chandler on Sunday
Local time
2:55 PM
MST
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 10m
Distance
144.7 mi
233 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
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.
Chandler, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Pima, AZ
András Nyemczovszky
Traveling from Chandler to Pima covers 144.7 miles across the Desert Southwest, typically requiring about 3 hours and 10 minutes of driving time. You will navigate a route primarily composed of the Santan Freeway, the Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Because the journey is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. With fuel costs estimated at $29, it remains an affordable trek through the Arizona landscape. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, this route offers a manageable pace for drivers who prefer to stay within a single state.
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
72.4 miles from Chandler, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul, as highways account for only 15% of this 144.7-mile journey. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating local roads, which keeps the experience engaging and requires your full attention. The longest uninterrupted section spans 66.3 miles along the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, providing the most consistent driving rhythm of the trip. As you transition between these stretches, the road personality shifts from faster freeway segments to more technical maneuvers. Prepare yourself for a hands-on driving experience that demands alertness through the varied terrain of the Desert Southwest.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 144.7 miles you will encounter 11 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 5.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left toward AZ 202 Loop East
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 60 East: Globe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 66.3 mi | 1h 21m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 43 mi | 55m |
| Santan Freeway | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| Superstition Freeway | 8 mi | 9m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| East Chandler Boulevard | 3 mi | 5m |
| East Williams Field Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| East Ash Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and Pima, AZ.
Start on East Chandler Boulevard
Continue on East Williams Field Road
Turn left
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
Take the exit
Merge onto US 60
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Turn right onto South Hill Street
Turn left onto US 60
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
Turn left
Arrive at destination
Since the total duration is just over three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. While the route only requires one planned stop, use that break strategically to stretch your legs and refresh after the more technical turns. Keep a close eye on your fuel levels before heading out, as the $29 budget is a baseline estimate that can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, ensure your tires and brakes are in good condition before you leave Chandler. Embracing the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Pima without the fatigue associated with longer, cross-country hauls.
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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.4 miles or 1h 37m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pima, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Chandler, 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 Chandler, AZ
This is one driving day of about 144.7 miles and 3h 10m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.4 mi from Chandler, AZ · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 72.4 miles from Chandler, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Globe-Lordsburg Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.3 miles.
The final approach into Pima, 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 Pima, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$28.80 one way
$57.60 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $30.41 | $60.82 |
| premium | $5.59 | $31.83 | $63.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.15 | $64.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.19 | $6.95 |
| Efficient EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.66 | $5.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.26 | $9.26 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Afternoon in Chandler on Sunday
Local time
2:55 PM
MST
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Pima on Sunday
Local time
2:55 PM
MST
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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
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.
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