This 89.7-mile drive from Cordes Lakes, AZ to Chandler, AZ, will take about 1 hour and 45 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on the Black Canyon Freeway, Arizona Veterans Highway, and Maricopa Freeway, with 61% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $18, and there are no designated stops, so you have flexibility. This route stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward transition between two Arizona locations. It's a practical option for a quick journey without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.9 miles from Cordes Lakes, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 89.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 61% of the route utilizing major freeways. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 38.4 miles on the Black Canyon Freeway, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. Expect a generally smooth experience with minimal interruptions, allowing for a steady drive. The character is that of a modern, well-maintained highway system connecting points within Arizona.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Black Canyon Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 38.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Black Canyon Freeway and Arizona Veterans Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Black Mountain Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 45m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Black Mountain Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (East Stagecoach Trail): Navigation decision point; at 76.2 miles (US 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South Black Mountain Road
Turn right onto South Black Mountain Road
Navigation decision point
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|East Stagecoach Trail
At end of road, turn left onto East Stagecoach Trail
Navigation decision point
8
76.2 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|US 60
Take the exit onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
8
83.8 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Chandler
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 179
Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Chandler
5
84.2 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|AZ 87 / South Country Club Drive
Turn right onto AZ 87 / South Country Club Drive
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 Cordes Lakes, AZ to Chandler, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Globe
76.2 mi in|~1h 26m|via US 60
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Black Canyon Freeway
38.4 mi
42m
Arizona Veterans Highway
17.1 mi
17m
Maricopa Freeway
8.8 mi
10m
US 60
7.6 mi
8m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi
5m
North Arizona Avenue
4 mi
6m
North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi
3m
East Stagecoach Trail
1.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Black Canyon Freeway
— 38.4 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cordes Lakes, AZ and Chandler, AZ.
1
Start on East Ash Creek Road
137 ft·9 sec·East Ash Creek Road
2
Turn right onto South Black Mountain Road
0.4 mi·1 min·South Black Mountain Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto East Stagecoach Trail
1.8 mi·4 min·East Stagecoach Trail
4
Turn left onto Arcosanti Road
0.2 mi·43 sec·Arcosanti Road
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·44 sec
6
Merge onto I 17
17 mi·17 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
7
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 17
28 mi·32 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 17; US 60
8.8 mi·10 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 60
7.6 mi·8 min·US 60
Exit 154Toward US 60 East: Mesa, GlobeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 179Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, ChandlerUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto AZ 87
1.5 mi·2 min·South Country Club Drive
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on AZ 87
4.0 mi·6 min·North Arizona Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto East Chandler Boulevard
149 ft·12 sec·East Chandler Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
East Chandler Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes for this 89.7-mile trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits your schedule. There are no mandatory stops, so you can decide on your own pace. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $18 for the trip, and plan for potential traffic, especially as you approach the Chandler area. A good tip for this route is to check real-time traffic conditions on the Black Canyon Freeway before you depart, as it's the longest and most prominent stretch.
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 44.9 miles from Cordes Lakes, AZ, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.4 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 20 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.9 miles or 50m 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 26m
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 Cordes Lakes, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cordes Lakes, AZ
This is one driving day of about 89.7 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Cordes Lakes, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Black Canyon Freeway for about 38.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.9 mi from Cordes Lakes, AZ
· 50m into the drive
The midpoint is around 44.9 miles from Cordes Lakes, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 89.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.87 one way
$35.74 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$18.91
$37.82
premium
$5.59
$19.74
$39.49
diesel
$5.61
$19.80
$39.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.9
0
$9.42
$4.31
Efficient EV
22.4
0
$7.85
$3.59
EV Truck/SUV
35.9
0
$12.56
$5.74
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cordes Lakes, AZ
Morning
in Cordes Lakes on Friday
Local time
7:58 AM
MST
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chandler, AZ
Morning
in Chandler on Friday
Local time
7:58 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
10 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 45m 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 Cordes Lakes, AZ to Chandler, AZ covers 89.7 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Black Canyon Freeway, Arizona Veterans Highway, Maricopa Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.9 miles from Cordes Lakes, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.87 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 45m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Black Mountain Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (East Stagecoach Trail): Navigation decision point; at 76.2 miles (US 60): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Cordes Lakes, AZ to Chandler, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Montezuma Castle National Monument and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
