Origin
Glendale, AZ
Afternoon in Glendale on Sunday
Local time
2:17 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Glendale, AZ to Avondale, AZ
Drive Time
27m
Distance
17.7 mi
29 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 25m
★
6 AM
0h 27m
8 AM
0h 32m
10 AM
0h 29m
12 PM
0h 28m
3 PM
0h 29m
5 PM
0h 31m
8 PM
0h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Glendale, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Avondale, AZ
Atlantic Ambience
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion within the Desert Southwest, the 17.7-mile trek from Glendale to Avondale is a straightforward transit. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 27 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day journey. Because of the short distance, you won't need to worry about lodging or overnight splits. Budgeting approximately $4 for fuel should be sufficient to cover your travel needs. This route is a practical choice for those navigating between these two Arizona hubs, offering a no-nonsense connection that gets you to your destination efficiently.
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
8.9 miles from Glendale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances local transit with faster highway sections. You will spend roughly 51% of your time on the highway, alternating between the Agua Fria Freeway, West Northern Avenue, and the Papago Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 5.6-mile segment on the Agua Fria Freeway, which provides a brief reprieve from surface street traffic. As you transition between these main roads, the character of the drive shifts from the steady pace of the freeway to the stop-and-go nature of city corridors. It is a functional commute that requires you to stay alert during the transition points between major thoroughfares.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Agua Fria Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 5.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 17.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Agua Fria Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
5.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp toward AZ 101 Loop South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
5
5.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
AZ 101 Loop / Agua Fria Freeway
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop / Agua Fria Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
11.3 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
5
11.9 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
I 10 / Papago Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
15.3 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward Dysart Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 129
Toward Dysart Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Agua Fria Freeway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| West Northern Avenue | 3.7 mi | 7m |
| Papago Freeway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| North Dysart Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Grand Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| East Western Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Central Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Agua Fria Freeway
— 5.6 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glendale, AZ and Avondale, AZ.
1
Start on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the none lane.
2
Turn left onto West Northern Avenue
3.7 mi
·
7 min
·
West Northern Avenue
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Agua Fria Freeway
Use the none lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 10
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 129
Toward Dysart Road
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto North Dysart Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Dysart Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Turn right onto East Western Avenue
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
East Western Avenue
10
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
89 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Central Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn right
27 ft
·
1 sec
12
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a brief, 27-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 17.7-mile distance without needing any scheduled stops, though it is always wise to check real-time traffic on the Agua Fria and Papago Freeways before you head out. Because the fuel cost is a modest $4, you won't need to stress about elaborate refueling logistics or long-distance planning. Make sure to keep an eye on your navigation during the shifts between West Northern Avenue and the highway systems to ensure you stay on track. Enjoy the ease of this short transit, which allows you to spend more time at your destination rather than behind the wheel.
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 8.9 miles from Glendale, AZ, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.6 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 17.7 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.9 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avondale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Glendale, 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 Glendale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 17.7 miles and 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Glendale, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Agua Fria Freeway for about 5.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.9 mi from Glendale, AZ · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.9 miles from Glendale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Avondale, AZ
The final approach into Avondale, 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 Avondale, 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
$3.52 one way
$7.05 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $3.72 | $7.44 |
| premium | $5.59 | $3.89 | $7.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.93 | $7.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.86 | $0.85 |
| Efficient EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.55 | $0.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.48 | $1.13 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Avondale, AZ
Afternoon in Avondale on Sunday
Local time
2:17 PM
MST
Current temp
57°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
2 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
27m 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 Glendale, AZ to Avondale, AZ covers 17.7 miles and takes about 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Agua Fria Freeway, West Northern Avenue, Papago Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.9 miles from Glendale, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.52 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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 17.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Agua Fria Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Glendale, AZ to Avondale, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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