Origin
Maryvale, AZ
Afternoon in Maryvale on Sunday
Local time
4:12 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 19m
Distance
123.3 mi
198 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
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.
Maryvale, AZ
Mikhail Nilov
Catalina Foothills, AZ
Mark Direen
Traveling from Maryvale to the Catalina Foothills covers 123.3 miles of the Arizona Desert Southwest, typically taking about 2 hours and 19 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is relatively short, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to complete the journey. By navigating the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, the Maricopa Freeway, and the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, you can transition smoothly between these two desert regions. It is a straightforward, practical commute that allows you to reach your destination efficiently while staying within the heart of the state.
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
61.6 miles from Maryvale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Expect a mix of fast-paced transit and local navigation, as this drive is characterized as a turn-heavy local route. While only 18% of the trip is spent on highways, you will encounter a significant 50-mile uninterrupted stretch along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway that serves as the backbone of your journey. The road's personality shifts from the busy freeway segments near your start point to more localized driving as you approach the Catalina Foothills. You will need to stay alert for frequent turns, which keeps the experience more engaging than a simple monotonous interstate grind. It is a functional drive that requires your full attention on the road rather than just coasting.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near North 51st Avenue.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 123.3 miles you will encounter 9 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 miles (North 51st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto North 51st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left toward I 10 East: Tucson
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Orange Grove Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto West River Road
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 50 mi | 50m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| Papago Freeway | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| West River Road | 5.2 mi | 8m |
| East River Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| North 51st Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| North Hacienda del Sol Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Maryvale, AZ and Catalina Foothills, AZ.
Start on North 55th Avenue
Turn left onto West Indian School Road
Turn right onto North 51st Avenue
Turn left
Merge onto I 10
Continue on I 10
Continue on I 10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Merge onto I 10; US 60
Continue on I 10
Continue on I 10
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Casa Grande Highway
Turn left onto West Orange Grove Road
Turn right onto West River Road
Continue on East River Road
Turn left onto North Hacienda del Sol Road
Arrive at destination
Since this is a manageable drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Given the 2-hour and 19-minute travel time, you can easily make the entire journey without planning for formal stops. If you prefer a steady pace, aim to complete the longest 50-mile stretch on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway during off-peak hours to avoid potential traffic congestion. Keep your $25 fuel budget in mind before you head out, as ensuring your tank is ready at the start will save you from making unnecessary fueling detours. Take advantage of the trip's direct nature to arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to explore the Catalina Foothills.
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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.6 miles or 1h 9m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catalina Foothills, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Maryvale, 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 Maryvale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 123.3 miles and 2h 19m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.6 mi from Maryvale, AZ · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 61.6 miles from Maryvale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Catalina Foothills, 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 Foothills, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$24.54 one way
$49.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $25.91 | $51.82 |
| premium | $5.59 | $27.12 | $54.24 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.39 | $54.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37 | 0 | $12.95 | $5.92 |
| Efficient EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.79 | $4.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.3 | 0 | $17.26 | $7.89 |
Gas CO2
43 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Maryvale on Sunday
Local time
4:12 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Catalina Foothills on Sunday
Local time
4:12 PM
MST
Current temp
54°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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Return Trip
Catalina Foothills, AZ to Maryvale, AZPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Maryvale, AZ or browse trips ending in Catalina Foothills, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
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