Trip from Chandler, AZ to Swift Trail Junction, AZ

Drive Time

3h 37m

Distance

160.8 mi

259 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 25m ★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 30m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Chandler, AZ, AZ

Chandler, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Downtown Swift Trail Junction, AZ, AZ

Swift Trail Junction, AZ

Mark Direen

Trip Overview

Embarking on the 160.8-mile journey from Chandler to Swift Trail Junction takes you across the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect a travel time of approximately 3 hours and 37 minutes, making this perfectly feasible as a one-day trip. You will navigate a combination of the Santan Freeway, the Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway to reach your destination. With a modest fuel budget of about $32, the trip remains an affordable way to transition from the valley floor into higher elevations. Since the entire route stays within Arizona, you will experience a consistent regional climate while transitioning from urban surroundings to more remote, turn-heavy local roads. It is a straightforward drive that balances highway efficiency with the slower pace of rural transit.

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

80.4 miles from Chandler, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Drive Character

Prepare for a drive defined by its transition from high-speed corridors to technical, turn-heavy local roads. Only 13% of your journey consists of highway driving, meaning you will spend the majority of your 3-hour and 37-minute trip navigating local infrastructure. The longest uninterrupted section spans 71.2 miles along the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, which serves as the core of your travel experience. You should anticipate a shift in road personality as you leave the urban freeway system behind for more winding, localized segments. Staying alert is essential, as the route requires constant engagement compared to a monotonous interstate cruise.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Globe-Lordsburg Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 71.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160.8 miles you will encounter 12 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
5.9 mi into trip | ~10m in

Turn left toward AZ 202 Loop East

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward AZ 202 Loop East
5
6.3 mi into trip | ~11m in | AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway

Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
7
15.7 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward US 60 East: Globe

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 30A Toward US 60 East: Globe
5
16.7 mi into trip | ~24m in | US 60 / Superstition Freeway

Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
5
75.2 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | North Broad Street

Turn left onto North Broad Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Globe-Lordsburg Highway 71.2 mi 1h 28m
Phoenix–Globe Highway 43 mi 55m
Santan Freeway 9.4 mi 10m
Superstition Freeway 8 mi 9m
South 1st Avenue 7.3 mi 11m
US 60 4 mi 7m
East Chandler Boulevard 3 mi 5m
East Williams Field Road 3 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Globe-Lordsburg Highway — 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and Swift Trail Junction, AZ.

1

Start on East Chandler Boulevard

3.0 mi · 5 min · East Chandler Boulevard
Use the none lane.
2

Continue on East Williams Field Road

3.0 mi · 5 min · East Williams Field Road
Use the none lane.
3

Turn left

0.4 mi · 29 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop East Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto AZ 202 Loop

9.4 mi · 10 min · Santan Freeway
Use the none lane.
5

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min
Exit 30A Toward US 60 East: Globe Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto US 60

8.0 mi · 9 min · Superstition Freeway
Use the none lane.
7

Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist

43 mi · 55 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
8

Continue on US 60

1.9 mi · 3 min · Live Oak Street
9

Continue on US 60

4.0 mi · 7 min · US 60
Use the none lane.
10

Continue on US 60

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Broad Street
Use the none lane.
11

Turn left onto North Broad Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
12

Turn left onto East Oak Street

366 ft · 9 sec · East Oak Street
13

Turn right onto South Hill Street

0.3 mi · 39 sec · South Hill Street
14

Turn left onto US 60

2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street
Use the none lane.
15

Continue on US 70; AZ 77

0.8 mi · 1 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Use the none lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77

70 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
17

Continue on US 70

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
18

Continue on US 70

2.3 mi · 4 min · West Thatcher Boulevard
19

Continue on US 70

0.5 mi · 1 min · West 5th Street
20

Turn right onto US 191

7.3 mi · 11 min · South 1st Avenue
Use the none lane.
21

Turn left onto West Swift Trail

102 ft · 3 sec · West Swift Trail
22

Arrive at destination

West Swift Trail

Trip Plan

For the best experience, plan for a single stop during your 160.8-mile trek to break up the drive. Since you are dealing with a significant portion of local roads rather than high-speed highways, factor in extra time for traffic or changing road conditions. Check your fuel levels before leaving Chandler, as the $32 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local station pricing. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, it is wise to prioritize comfort and hydration before hitting the 71.2-mile stretch on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Because this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure, though starting early helps ensure you arrive at Swift Trail Junction with plenty of daylight to spare.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.4 miles from Chandler, AZ, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 80.4 miles or 1h 52m 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 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Swift Trail Junction, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

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 160.8 miles and 3h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chandler, 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 Globe-Lordsburg Highway for about 71.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 80.4 mi from Chandler, AZ · 1h 52m into the drive

Downtown Queen Creek, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Queen Creek, AZ

80 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

Queen Creek, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Queen Creek, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80.4 miles from Chandler, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Globe-Lordsburg Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 miles.

Arriving in Swift Trail Junction, AZ

The final approach into Swift Trail Junction, 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 Swift Trail Junction, 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

$32.00 one way

$64.00 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $33.79 $67.59
premium $5.59 $35.37 $70.74
diesel $5.64 $35.72 $71.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.2 0 $16.88 $7.72
Efficient EV 40.2 0 $14.07 $6.43
EV Truck/SUV 64.3 0 $22.51 $10.29

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Chandler, AZ

Afternoon in Chandler on Sunday

Local time

2:56 PM

MST

Current temp

91°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Swift Trail Junction, AZ

Afternoon in Swift Trail Junction on Sunday

Local time

2:56 PM

MST

Current temp

51°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

40 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 37m 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 Chandler, AZ to Swift Trail Junction, AZ covers 160.8 miles and takes about 3h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Globe-Lordsburg Highway, Phoenix–Globe Highway, Santan Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.4 miles from Chandler, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.00 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 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.
The route from Chandler, AZ to Swift Trail Junction, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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