This 202.6-mile journey from Gilbert, AZ to Morenci, AZ is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours to complete. You'll navigate a mix of roads, primarily using the Globe-Lordsburg Highway and US 191. With a fuel cost estimated at $40, this route offers a straightforward drive through the Desert Southwest region of Arizona. The drive is characterized by its numerous turns, making it more of a local experience than an interstate cruise. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
101.3 miles from Gilbert, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 2m. Total distance: 202.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 5-hour trip. While 22% of the route utilizes highways, the majority of your time will be spent on local roads, including significant portions of the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 71.2 miles on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, offering a chance to settle in before the road begins to wind more. This route feels like a genuine exploration of Arizona's landscape, with the road adapting to the terrain.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near East Vaughn Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 2m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (East Vaughn Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|East Vaughn Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward US 60 East: Globe
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 60 East: Globe
5
2.7 mi into trip|~6m in|US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
69.7 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
198.2 mi into trip|~4h 33m in
Turn sharp right
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
71.2 mi
1h 28m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi
55m
US 191
23.7 mi
28m
Superstition Freeway
16.6 mi
19m
West 5th Street
10.5 mi
14m
Coronado Boulevard
10.2 mi
17m
Coronado Trail
6.3 mi
15m
US 60
4 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gilbert, AZ and Morenci, AZ.
1
Start on this road
203 ft·20 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto North Elm Street
0.2 mi·44 sec·North Elm Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
440 ft·23 sec·East Vaughn Avenue
4
Turn right onto North Gilbert Road
2.1 mi·4 min·North Gilbert Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 60 East: GlobeUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 60
17 mi·19 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left 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
10
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
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
15
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi·1 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
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
11 mi·14 min·West 5th Street
20
Turn left onto US 191
24 mi·28 min·US 191
21
At end of road, turn straight
90 ft·2 sec
22
Turn left
82 ft·2 sec
23
Turn slight right onto US 191
10 mi·17 min·Coronado Boulevard
24
Continue on US 191 Temp
2.3 mi·3 min·Coronado Trail
25
Continue on US 191 Temp
4.0 mi·11 min·Coronado Trail
26
Turn sharp right
0.3 mi·2 min
27
Turn left
0.5 mi·2 min
28
Turn left
0.5 mi·3 min
29
Turn sharp left
0.5 mi·3 min
30
Turn left
1.2 mi·8 min
31
Turn sharp left
1.3 mi·8 min
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive from Gilbert, AZ early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. You'll have a longest stretch of 71.2 miles on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost of around $40, it's a budget-friendly trip. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility with stops; however, planning for one main stop will help you stay refreshed. Keep an eye out for changing road conditions as you transition between different highways and local roads.
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 101.3 miles from Gilbert, AZ, or about 2h 16m 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 45 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.3 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morenci, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gilbert, 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 Gilbert, AZ
This is one driving day of about 202.6 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Gilbert, 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 101.3 mi from Gilbert, AZ
· 2h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 101.3 miles from Gilbert, 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 Morenci, AZ
The final approach into Morenci, 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 Morenci, AZ.
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.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
National Monument
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 27.9
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$10
near mile 55.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.36 one way
$80.72 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$42.71
$85.43
premium
$5.59
$44.60
$89.19
diesel
$5.61
$44.73
$89.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.8
0
$21.27
$9.72
Efficient EV
50.7
0
$17.73
$8.10
EV Truck/SUV
81
1
$28.36
$12.97
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Gilbert, AZ
Afternoon
in Gilbert on Thursday
Local time
2:42 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Morenci, AZ
Afternoon
in Morenci on Thursday
Local time
2:42 PM
MST
Current temp
50°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
43 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
5h 2m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Gilbert, AZ to Morenci, AZ covers 202.6 miles and takes about 5h 2m 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, US 191. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 101.3 miles from Gilbert, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.36 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 2m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (East Vaughn Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Gilbert, AZ to Morenci, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument.
