Origin
Chandler, AZ
Afternoon in Chandler on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
MST
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive 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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chandler, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Swift Trail Junction, AZ
Mark Direen
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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 | 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and Swift Trail Junction, 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
Continue on US 70
Continue on US 70
Continue on US 70
Turn right onto US 191
Turn left onto West Swift Trail
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop up before Globe-Lordsburg Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$32.00 one way
$64.00 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Chandler on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
MST
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Swift Trail Junction on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
MST
Current temp
51°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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Chandler, AZ or browse trips ending in Swift Trail Junction, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Chandler, AZ or Swift Trail Junction, AZ on MapSof.net.