Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
72.1 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
The drive from Gilbert, AZ to Gila Bend, AZ covers 72.1 miles and takes about 1h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Elm Street, East Cullumber Avenue, North Gilbert Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.05 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
36.1 miles from Gilbert, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 45m drive with frequent turns across 72.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Elm Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Cullumber Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Gilbert Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| AZ 202 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Santan Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dobson Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Dobson Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Queen Creek Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Gilbert, AZ and Gila Bend, AZ.
Start on the route
Turn left onto North Elm Street
Turn left onto East Cullumber Avenue
Turn left onto North Gilbert Road
Take the ramp right toward AZ 202 Loop West: Santan Freeway
Merge slight left onto Santan Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward Dobson Road
Turn left onto South Dobson Road
Turn right onto West Queen Creek Road
Continue on North Maricopa Road
Continue on North John Wayne Parkway
Turn right onto West Smith Enke Road
Continue on Maricopa Road
Continue on Arizona State Highway 85
Continue on East Pima Street
Turn right onto North Martin Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 72.1 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.1 miles or 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 1h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gila Bend, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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 72.1 miles and 1h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.1 mi from Gilbert, AZ · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 72.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 36.1 miles from Gilbert, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Gila Bend, 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 Gila Bend, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$14.05 one way
$28.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $15.15 | $30.30 |
| premium | $5.57 | $15.80 | $31.60 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $18.07 | $36.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.57 | $3.46 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.31 | $2.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.09 | $4.61 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Gilbert on Saturday
Local time
8:05 AM
MST
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Gila Bend on Saturday
Local time
8:05 AM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
91°F
Chandler, AZ
36 mi in
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Gilbert, AZ or browse trips ending in Gila Bend, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Gilbert, AZ or Gila Bend, AZ on MapSof.net.
