Origin
Glendale, AZ
Afternoon in Glendale on Sunday
Local time
3:43 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
4h 46m
Distance
247.6 mi
399 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Glendale, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Douglas, AZ
Helena Jankovičová Kováčová
Traveling from Glendale to Douglas covers 247.6 miles of the Desert Southwest, a journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 46 minutes behind the wheel. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you don't necessarily need to book an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Your trip will primarily utilize the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, and the Tucson-Benson Highway. Expect to budget roughly $49 for fuel to complete the transit. While both cities sit within the same desert region, the drive offers a straightforward transition between the urban sprawl of the Phoenix metro area and the more remote character of the borderlands.
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
123.8 miles from Glendale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
This trip features a mixed drive profile, balancing fast-paced highway segments with more localized road conditions. You will spend about 38% of your time on highways, providing a blend of interstate efficiency and secondary road driving. The most significant stretch of continuous travel is the 54.6-mile segment along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, which will require your sustained focus. As you transition between these major arteries, the personality of the road shifts from busy multi-lane corridors to quieter, more open stretches. Be prepared for this variation, as the road environment changes as you move further away from the metropolitan center.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in near US 60 / West Thomas Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 247.6 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 6.4 miles (US 60 / West Thomas Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto US 60 / West Thomas Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 17 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Glendale, AZ to Douglas, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Sierra Vista along the way.
Sierra Vista
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 41.4 mi | 43m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| AZ 80 | 33.1 mi | 45m |
| State Route 90 | 16.5 mi | 19m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 16.3 mi | 18m |
| Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway | 13.3 mi | 16m |
| Huachuca Boulevard | 9.1 mi | 10m |
Step-by-step road directions between Glendale, AZ and Douglas, AZ.
Start on US 60
Continue on US 60
Take the exit onto US 60
Turn left onto US 60
Turn right onto US 60
Take the exit
Merge onto I 17; US 60
Continue on I 17; US 60
Continue on I 10
Continue on I 10
Continue on I 10
Continue on I 10
Take the exit
Turn right onto AZ 90
Continue on AZ 90
Continue on AZ 90
Continue on AZ 90
Continue on AZ 90
Turn left onto AZ 90
Turn left onto AZ 90
Continue on AZ 90
Continue on AZ 90
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
Enter roundabout onto AZ 80
Continue on AZ 80
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
Arrive at destination
Since the total drive time is under five hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the route only requires one stop to stay refreshed, you should account for the fact that the longest stretch is over 50 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly. Checking your fuel levels before leaving the Phoenix area is a smart move, especially given the $49 estimated cost for the full trip. Because you are navigating a mix of high-speed highways and local routes, keep a close watch on speed limit transitions. Aiming for an early morning start will help you avoid the heaviest traffic near the beginning of your journey in Glendale.
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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.8 miles or 2h 15m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Douglas, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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 247.6 miles and 4h 46m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123.8 mi from Glendale, AZ · 2h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 123.8 miles from Glendale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Douglas, 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 Douglas, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$49.28 one way
$98.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $52.03 | $104.07 |
| premium | $5.59 | $54.46 | $108.92 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.01 | $110.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.3 | 0 | $26.00 | $11.88 |
| Efficient EV | 61.9 | 0 | $21.67 | $9.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99 | 1 | $34.66 | $15.85 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Glendale on Sunday
Local time
3:43 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Douglas on Sunday
Local time
3:43 PM
MST
Current temp
44°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
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.
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