Origin
Marana, AZ
Afternoon in Marana on Sunday
Local time
4:45 PM
MST
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 1m
Distance
107.8 mi
173 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
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.
Marana, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Avondale, AZ
Atlantic Ambience
Traveling between Marana and Avondale covers 107.5 miles of the Arizona Desert Southwest, typically taking about 1 hour and 46 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively short distance, it serves perfectly as a straightforward day trip that doesn’t require an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $21 for fuel to complete the journey. Navigating this route involves a series of local roads, including West Swanson Street, North Whitney Lane, and West Moore Road, rather than relying on major interstates. It is a practical, direct way to move between these two desert communities without the complexities of long-haul logistics.
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
53.9 miles from Marana, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged throughout the entire 107.5-mile trip. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will navigate through local roads rather than high-speed lanes. You won't find any long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the longest segment is 0 miles on West Swanson Street, emphasizing the constant turns and transitions required. This road's personality is defined by its technical, local nature, requiring you to stay alert as you maneuver through the desert landscape. It is a hands-on driving experience that demands your full attention from start to finish.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Swanson Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 107.8 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: near the start (West Swanson Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 77 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto West Swanson Street
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 10 West: Phoenix
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward AZ 202 Loop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward AZ 202 Loop West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Buckeye Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 38.1 mi | 38m |
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 36.1 mi | 36m |
| Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway | 19.6 mi | 22m |
| West Buckeye Road | 8.9 mi | 13m |
| North Sandario Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| East Western Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Moore Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Swanson Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Marana, AZ and Avondale, AZ.
Start on North Steele Drive
Turn right onto West Swanson Street
Turn left onto North Whitney Lane
Turn right onto West Moore Road
Turn left onto North Sandario Road
Enter roundabout onto North Sandario Road
Continue on North Sandario Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10
Continue on I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
Take the exit
Continue on South 59th Avenue
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto South Dysart Road
Turn left onto East Western Avenue
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Since this is a concise 1-hour and 46-minute drive with no formal stops scheduled, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. However, because the route consists entirely of local roads like West Whitney Lane and West Moore Road, you should plan for a slower pace than you would experience on a major highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, as the $21 cost is an estimate that may fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, ensure your GPS is updated and ready to handle frequent directional changes. Taking the journey during daylight hours is highly recommended to better navigate the local intersections effectively.
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.
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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.9 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avondale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Marana, 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 Marana, AZ
This is one driving day of about 107.8 miles and 2h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.9 mi from Marana, AZ · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 53.9 miles from Marana, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$21.45 one way
$42.91 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $22.65 | $45.31 |
| premium | $5.59 | $23.71 | $47.42 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.95 | $47.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.3 | 0 | $11.32 | $5.17 |
| Efficient EV | 27 | 0 | $9.43 | $4.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.09 | $6.90 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Marana on Sunday
Local time
4:45 PM
MST
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Avondale on Sunday
Local time
4:45 PM
MST
Current temp
57°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
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.
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