Origin
Glendale, AZ
Late night in Glendale on Monday
Local time
3:44 AM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Glendale, AZ to Thatcher, AZ
Drive Time
3h 44m
Distance
172.6 mi
278 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 32m
★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 10m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 51m
3 PM
3h 55m
5 PM
4h 9m
8 PM
3h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Glendale, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Thatcher, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
The drive from Glendale, AZ to Thatcher, AZ covers 172.6 miles and takes about 3h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Globe-Lordsburg Highway, Phoenix–Globe Highway, US 60 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.2 miles on Globe-Lordsburg Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.35 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.3 miles from Glendale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 44m drive with frequent turns across 172.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 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. 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.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 172.6 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
6.4 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
US 60 / West Thomas Road
Turn left onto US 60 / West Thomas Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / slight left lanes.
5
6.6 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway
Turn right onto US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway
Navigation decision point
5
6.9 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 17 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 17 South
5
7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge onto I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
19.4 mi into trip
|
~27m 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
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Glendale, AZ to Thatcher, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Globe
19.4 mi in
|
~27m
|
via US 60
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 71.2 mi | 1h 28m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 43 mi | 55m |
| US 60 | 32.4 mi | 41m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| Grand Avenue | 5.9 mi | 10m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| East Ash Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| North Broad Street | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glendale, AZ and Thatcher, AZ.
1
Start on Grand Avenue
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Grand Avenue
2
Continue on Grand Avenue
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Grand Avenue
3
Take the exit straight toward 27th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
27th Avenue
4
Turn left onto West Thomas Road
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Thomas Road
5
Turn right onto North Black Canyon Highway
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Black Canyon Highway
6
Take the exit straight toward I 17 South
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
I 17 South
7
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
8
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
28 mi
·
32 min
·
US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
10
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
11
Continue on Live Oak Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Live Oak Street
12
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
13
Continue on North Broad Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
14
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
15
Turn left onto East Oak Street
367 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Oak Street
16
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
South Hill Street
17
Turn left onto East Ash Street
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
18
Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
19
Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
70 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
20
Continue on West Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
21
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 86.3 miles from Glendale, AZ, or about 1h 49m 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 80 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.3 miles or 1h 49m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thatcher, 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 172.6 miles and 3h 44m.
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.
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 86.3 mi from Glendale, AZ · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86.3 miles from Glendale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Globe-Lordsburg Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 miles.
Arriving in Thatcher, AZ
The final approach into Thatcher, 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 Thatcher, 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
$34.35 one way
$68.70 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $36.27 | $72.55 |
| premium | $5.59 | $37.97 | $75.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.35 | $76.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.12 | $8.28 |
| Efficient EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.10 | $6.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69 | 0 | $24.16 | $11.05 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Thatcher, AZ
Late night in Thatcher on Monday
Local time
3:44 AM
MST
Current temp
48°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
11 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
3h 44m 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 Thatcher, AZ covers 172.6 miles and takes about 3h 44m 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 60. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86.3 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 $34.35 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 172.6 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.
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.
On the drive from Glendale, AZ to Thatcher, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
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