Origin
Glendale, AZ
Morning in Glendale on Friday
Local time
9:38 AM
MST
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Glendale, AZ to Catalina, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 27m
Distance
118.7 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 17m
★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Glendale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Catalina, AZ
Allie
Trip Overview
The drive from Glendale, AZ to Catalina, AZ covers 118.7 miles and takes about 2h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Grand Avenue, 27th Avenue, West Thomas Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.65 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.
Midpoint
59.4 miles from Glendale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 118.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 27m drive with frequent turns across 118.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Grand Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Glendale, AZ to Catalina, AZ is easy. At 2h 27m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Glendale, AZ to Catalina, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Avenue | — | — |
| 27th Avenue | — | — |
| West Thomas Road | — | — |
| North Black Canyon Highway | — | — |
| I 17 South | — | — |
| Black Canyon Freeway | — | — |
| Maricopa Freeway | — | — |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Grand Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glendale, AZ and Catalina, 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
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
9
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
23 mi
·
23 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
10
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 187, AZ 387: Casa Grande, Coolidge
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
AZ 187, AZ 387: Casa Grande, Coolidge
11
Keep slight left to continue on AZ 187 North, AZ 387 North: Coolidge, Florence, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
299 ft
·
14 sec
·
AZ 187 North, AZ 387 North: Coolidge, Florence, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
12
Turn left onto Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
13
Turn right
6.9 mi
·
9 min
14
Turn right onto Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
15
Continue on Florence-Coolidge Highway
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Florence-Coolidge Highway
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
56 ft
·
1 sec
·
the route
17
Exit the roundabout
417 ft
·
8 sec
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
98 ft
·
2 sec
·
the route
19
Exit the roundabout
0.6 mi
·
1 min
20
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Pinal Parkway Avenue
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Pinal Parkway Avenue
21
Continue on Pinal Pioneer Parkway
36 mi
·
41 min
·
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
22
Continue on State Route 79
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
State Route 79
23
Turn right onto Tucson-Globe Highway
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Tucson-Globe Highway
24
Turn left onto Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
25
Turn right onto Edwin Road
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Edwin Road
26
Turn right onto North Elkins Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Elkins Road
27
Turn right onto East Pinto Place
492 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Pinto Place
28
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 59.4 miles from Glendale, AZ, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.4 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catalina, 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 118.7 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Glendale, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.4 mi from Glendale, AZ · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.4 miles from Glendale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Catalina, AZ
The final approach into Catalina, 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 Catalina, 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
$23.65 one way
$47.29 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $25.03 | $50.05 |
| premium | $5.59 | $26.13 | $52.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.21 | $52.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.46 | $5.70 |
| Efficient EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.39 | $4.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.62 | $7.60 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Catalina, AZ
Morning in Catalina on Friday
Local time
9:38 AM
MST
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
89°F
Florence, AZ
59 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 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
2h 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 Catalina, AZ covers 118.7 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Grand Avenue, 27th Avenue, West Thomas Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.4 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 $23.65 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.
The drive from Glendale, AZ to Catalina, AZ is easy. At 2h 27m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Glendale, AZ to Catalina, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Glendale, AZ to Catalina, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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