The drive from Maricopa, AZ to Douglas, AZ covers 228.5 miles and takes about 4h 21m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, AZ 80 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.6 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $45.52 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
114.3 miles from Maricopa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Douglas is a town in Cochise County, Southeast Arizona. While known primarily as a gateway to Mexico, its small downtown core has a few well-preserved examples of early 20th-century architecture. The town is also noted as the temporary residence of Thornton Wilder, who wrote most of his classic 1967 novel The Eighth Day while based here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 228.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Maricopa, AZ to Douglas, AZ covers 228.5 miles and takes about 4h 21m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 54.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AZ 347 / North John Wayne Parkway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 228.5 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (AZ 347 / North John Wayne Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles (AZ 84 / Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|AZ 347 / North John Wayne Parkway
Depart onto AZ 347 / North John Wayne Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
12.6 mi into trip|~14m in|AZ 84 / Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 84 / Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
18.4 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward I 8 East: Tucson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 8 East: Tucson
6
44.6 mi into trip|~47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 178A
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
6
147.6 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
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
Exit 302
Toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Maricopa, AZ to Douglas, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Sierra Vista along the way.
Sierra Vista
147.6 mi in|~2h 34m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi
55m
Tucson-Benson Highway
41.4 mi
43m
AZ 80
33.1 mi
45m
Phoenix Bypass Route
26.4 mi
26m
State Route 90
16.5 mi
19m
Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
13.3 mi
16m
North John Wayne Parkway
12.6 mi
14m
Huachuca Boulevard
9.1 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maricopa, AZ and Douglas, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 347
13 mi·14 min·North John Wayne Parkway
Use the left lane.
2
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 84
5.7 mi·6 min·Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway
Use the right lane.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 8 East: Tucson
4
Merge onto I 8
26 mi·26 min·Phoenix Bypass Route
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·38 sec
Exit 178AToward I 10 East: Tucson
6
Continue on Phoenix Bypass Route
0.4 mi·27 sec·Phoenix Bypass Route
Exit 178AToward I 10 East: Tucson
7
Continue on I 10
55 mi·55 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
6.1 mi·6 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
41 mi·43 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 302Toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
11
Turn right onto AZ 90
1.2 mi·1 min·South State Highway 90
12
Continue on AZ 90
9.1 mi·10 min·Huachuca Boulevard
13
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi·14 min·State Route 90
14
Continue on AZ 90
2.2 mi·3 min·North Huachuca Boulevard
15
Continue on AZ 90
3.0 mi·3 min·State Route 90
16
Turn left onto AZ 90
4.4 mi·6 min·State Route 90 Bypass
17
Turn left onto AZ 90
1.5 mi·2 min·Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on AZ 90
1.6 mi·2 min·State Route 90
19
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi·14 min·Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
20
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
10 mi·16 min·AZ 80; US 80 Hist
21
Enter roundabout onto AZ 80
518 ft·6 sec·AZ 80
22
Continue on AZ 80
23 mi·28 min·AZ 80
23
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
0.5 mi·1 min·East 10th Street
24
Arrive at destination
East 10th Street
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 114.3 miles from Maricopa, AZ, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 50 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.3 miles or 2h 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Douglas, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Maricopa, 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 Maricopa, AZ
This is one driving day of about 228.5 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Maricopa, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 114.3 mi from Maricopa, AZ
· 2h into the drive
The midpoint is around 114.3 miles from Maricopa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Douglas, AZ
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Saguaro National Park
National Park
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$25
near mile 118.2
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
It was a journey of conquest filled with exploration, wonder - and cruelty. Inspired by tales of vast cities of gold, 339 European soldiers and over a thousand Aztec allies embarked on an epic journey...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 181.2
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
15 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 47.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.52 one way
$91.04 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$48.17
$96.35
premium
$5.59
$50.30
$100.59
diesel
$5.61
$50.45
$100.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.6
0
$23.99
$10.97
Efficient EV
57.1
0
$19.99
$9.14
EV Truck/SUV
91.4
1
$31.99
$14.62
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Maricopa, AZ
Late night
in Maricopa on Saturday
Local time
3:53 AM
MST
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Douglas, AZ
Late night
in Douglas on Saturday
Local time
3:53 AM
MST
Current temp
47°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
10 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
4h 21m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Maricopa, AZ to Douglas, AZ covers 228.5 miles and takes about 4h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, AZ 80. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 114.3 miles from Maricopa, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.52 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 228.5 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (AZ 347 / North John Wayne Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.6 miles (AZ 84 / Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Maricopa, AZ to Douglas, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Sierra Vista along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Saguaro National Park, Coronado National Memorial and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
