Trip from Maricopa, AZ to Apache Junction, AZ

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

1h 4m

Distance

48.3 mi

78 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min

4 AM

0h 59m ★

6 AM

1h 5m

8 AM

1h 15m

10 AM

1h 8m

12 PM

1h 7m

3 PM

1h 9m

5 PM

1h 15m

8 PM

1h 2m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from Maricopa, AZ to Apache Junction, AZ covers 48.3 miles and takes about 1h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on North John Wayne Parkway, Maricopa Road, West Queen Creek Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.62 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 48.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 4m drive with frequent turns across 48.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

North John Wayne Parkway 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 Maricopa, AZ to Apache Junction, AZ is easy. At 1h 4m 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 Maricopa, AZ to Apache Junction, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North John Wayne Parkway	—	—
Maricopa Road	—	—
West Queen Creek Road	—	—
South Dobson Road	—	—
AZ 202	—	—
Santan Freeway	—	—
US 60 East	—	—
Superstition Freeway	—	—

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: North John Wayne Parkway — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Maricopa, AZ and Apache Junction, AZ.

1

Start on North John Wayne Parkway

125 ft · 4 sec · North John Wayne Parkway

2

Continue on North John Wayne Parkway

2.2 mi · 4 min · North John Wayne Parkway

3

Continue on Maricopa Road

12 mi · 13 min · Maricopa Road

4

Continue on West Queen Creek Road

5.7 mi · 8 min · West Queen Creek Road

5

Turn left onto South Dobson Road

1.8 mi · 3 min · South Dobson Road

6

Take the ramp right toward AZ 202 Loop East

0.4 mi · 48 sec · AZ 202 Loop East

7

Merge slight left onto Santan Freeway

18 mi · 21 min · Santan Freeway

8

Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Globe

1.0 mi · 2 min · US 60 East: Globe

9

Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway

3.8 mi · 4 min · Superstition Freeway

10

Take the exit slight right toward Ironwood Drive

0.4 mi · 53 sec · Ironwood Drive

11

Turn left onto South Ironwood Drive

2.0 mi · 3 min · South Ironwood Drive

12

Turn right onto West Apache Trail

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Apache Trail

13

Turn slight left

0.1 mi · 26 sec

14

Turn left onto North Apache Trail

177 ft · 8 sec · North Apache Trail

15

Arrive at your destination

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 24.1 mi from Maricopa, AZ · 32m into the drive

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chandler, AZ

24 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

Sun Lakes, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chandler, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 24.1 miles from Maricopa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Apache Junction, AZ

The final approach into Apache Junction, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$9.62 one way

$19.24 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 17 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.36	$10.18	$20.37
premium	$5.59	$10.63	$21.26
diesel	$5.61	$10.66	$21.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$10

Estimated CO2 emission: 16.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	14.5	$5.07	$2.32
Efficient EV	12.1	$4.23	$1.93
EV Truck/SUV	19.3	$6.76	$3.09

Gas CO2

17 kg

EV CO2

6 kg (65% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Maricopa, AZ

Night in Maricopa on Thursday

Local time

10:23 PM

MST

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Apache Junction, AZ

Night in Apache Junction on Thursday

Local time

10:23 PM

MST

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

3 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 4m 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 Maricopa, AZ to Apache Junction, AZ covers 48.3 miles and takes about 1h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are North John Wayne Parkway, Maricopa Road, West Queen Creek Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 24.1 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 $9.62 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 Maricopa, AZ to Apache Junction, AZ is easy. At 1h 4m 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 Maricopa, AZ to Apache Junction, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Maricopa, AZ to Apache Junction, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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