Origin
Goodyear, AZ
Afternoon in Goodyear on Sunday
Local time
4:45 PM
MST
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Goodyear, AZ to Cave Creek, AZ
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
45.6 mi
73 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 57m
★
6 AM
1h 2m
8 AM
1h 12m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 6m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
0h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Goodyear, AZ
Quang Nguyen Vinh
Cave Creek, AZ
Pho Tomass
Trip Overview
Traveling from Goodyear to Cave Creek covers 45.6 miles of Arizona’s Desert Southwest, making for a straightforward trek that usually takes about 1 hour and 2 minutes. Because this is a relatively short distance, it serves perfectly as a quick day trip rather than requiring an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $9 on fuel for the journey, keeping the trip budget-friendly. Your route primarily utilizes the Agua Fria Freeway, the Pima Freeway, and North Cave Creek Road to navigate through the region. It is a practical, efficient connection between these two desert communities, allowing you to transition between them without much hassle. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the simplicity of this drive makes it an easy addition to your schedule.
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
22.8 miles from Goodyear, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 66% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a significant stretch of open road, including a 21.3-mile segment on the Agua Fria Freeway that allows for steady cruising. As you progress, the personality of the route shifts from the high-speed, multi-lane flow of the freeways to the more localized feel of North Cave Creek Road. Expect a consistent, functional driving experience that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads. It is a predictable commute that trades technical driving maneuvers for the reliability of well-maintained, high-capacity traffic arteries.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 21.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Agua Fria Freeway and North Cave Creek Road. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 45.6 miles you will encounter 6 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 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m 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.
6
6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133B
7
32.8 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward Cave Creek Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 28
Toward Cave Creek Road
6
33.2 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Cave Creek Road, National Memorial Cemetery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Cave Creek Road, National Memorial Cemet...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Goodyear, AZ to Cave Creek, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward National Memorial Cemetery along the way.
National Memorial Cemetery
33.2 mi in
|
~40m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Agua Fria Freeway | 21.3 mi | 24m |
| North Cave Creek Road | 12.3 mi | 21m |
| Pima Freeway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| Papago Freeway | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| South Litchfield Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Cave Creek Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Agua Fria Freeway
— 21.3 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Goodyear, AZ and Cave Creek, AZ.
1
Start on South Litchfield Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Litchfield Road
Use the none lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Use the right lane.
3
Merge onto I 10
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none lane.
4
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 133B
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Agua Fria Freeway
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 28
Toward Cave Creek Road
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
507 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Cave Creek Road, National Memorial Cemetery
9
Turn slight left onto North Cave Creek Road
12 mi
·
21 min
·
North Cave Creek Road
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on East Cave Creek Road
106 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Cave Creek Road
11
Arrive at destination
East Cave Creek Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, one-day trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 45.6-mile distance without needing to plan for formal stops, as the duration is just over an hour. Keep an eye on traffic patterns when transitioning between the Pima Freeway and North Cave Creek Road, as highway congestion can fluctuate throughout the day. Given the $9 fuel estimate, filling your tank before you leave Goodyear will ensure you do not have to worry about refueling once you arrive in Cave Creek. Prioritize checking your GPS for real-time traffic updates on the Agua Fria Freeway before you head out to ensure the smoothest possible transition through the metro area.
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 22.8 miles from Goodyear, AZ, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.3 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 45.6 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.8 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cave Creek, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Goodyear, 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 Goodyear, AZ
This is one driving day of about 45.6 miles and 1h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Goodyear, 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 21.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.8 mi from Goodyear, AZ · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 45.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.8 miles from Goodyear, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cave Creek, AZ
The final approach into Cave Creek, 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 Cave Creek, 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
$9.08 one way
$18.15 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $9.58 | $19.17 |
| premium | $5.59 | $10.03 | $20.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.13 | $20.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.79 | $2.19 |
| Efficient EV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.99 | $1.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.38 | $2.92 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Cave Creek, AZ
Afternoon in Cave Creek on Sunday
Local time
4:45 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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 2m 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 Goodyear, AZ to Cave Creek, AZ covers 45.6 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Agua Fria Freeway, North Cave Creek Road, Pima Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.8 miles from Goodyear, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.08 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 45.6 miles you will encounter 6 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 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Goodyear, AZ to Cave Creek, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward National Memorial Cemetery along the way.
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