Origin
Maryvale, AZ
Afternoon in Maryvale on Sunday
Local time
3:37 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Maryvale, AZ to Sahuarita, AZ
Drive Time
2h 38m
Distance
142.7 mi
230 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 28m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maryvale, AZ
Mikhail Nilov
Sahuarita, AZ
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 142.7 miles through the heart of the Desert Southwest, this journey from Maryvale to Sahuarita is a straightforward drive that typically takes about 2 hours and 38 minutes. You will primarily navigate via the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, and the Nogales–Tucson Highway. Given the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. With fuel costs estimated at around $28, it remains an economical way to travel between these two Arizona locations. Expect a practical, no-nonsense trip that keeps you moving efficiently through the desert landscape.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
71.3 miles from Maryvale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between major corridors. While only 19% of your journey is spent on highways, the experience shifts significantly from the faster, open stretches to more technical segments. Your longest uninterrupted portion is a 54.6-mile run on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, providing the most consistent pace of the entire trip. Because the remainder of the route involves navigating tighter local roads, you should prepare for a varied driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate grind. Stay alert as the road character changes, ensuring you adjust your speed to match the local road conditions.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 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?
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.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 142.7 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
North 51st Avenue
Turn right onto North 51st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
3.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Turn left toward I 10 East: Tucson
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
6
12.2 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
123.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 19 South: Nogales
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 260
Toward I 19 South: Nogales
7
140.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
Take the exit toward Sahuarita Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 75
Toward Sahuarita Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| Nogales–Tucson Highway | 16 mi | 19m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| Papago Freeway | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| North Freeway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| North 51st Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| West Sahuarita Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maryvale, AZ and Sahuarita, AZ.
1
Start on North 55th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North 55th Avenue
2
Turn left onto West Indian School Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Indian School Road
Use the none lane.
3
Turn right onto North 51st Avenue
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North 51st Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 10
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
7
Continue on I 10
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 10; US 60
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
55 mi
·
55 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on I 10
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
North Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 260
Toward I 19 South: Nogales
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 19
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Nogales–Tucson Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 75
Toward Sahuarita Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto West Sahuarita Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West Sahuarita Road
17
Continue on East Sahuarita Road
403 ft
·
16 sec
·
East Sahuarita Road
18
Arrive at destination
East Sahuarita Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. You will only need to account for one planned stop to keep your trip on track and your energy levels up. Keep that $28 fuel budget in mind when filling up, as prices can fluctuate significantly between the Phoenix metro area and the outskirts of Sahuarita. Since the route involves a mix of highway and local driving, try to tackle the longest 54.6-mile stretch during daylight hours for better visibility. Planning your single stop around the midpoint of the journey is a smart way to break up the technical driving sections and ensure a smooth arrival.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.3 miles from Maryvale, AZ, or about 1h 19m 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.3 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sahuarita, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 142.7 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Maryvale, 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 71.3 mi from Maryvale, AZ · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.3 miles from Maryvale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Sahuarita, AZ
The final approach into Sahuarita, 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 Sahuarita, 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
$28.40 one way
$56.80 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $29.99 | $59.98 |
| premium | $5.59 | $31.39 | $62.78 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $31.70 | $63.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.98 | $6.85 |
| Efficient EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.49 | $5.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.1 | 0 | $19.98 | $9.13 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Sahuarita, AZ
Afternoon in Sahuarita on Sunday
Local time
3:37 PM
MST
Current temp
51°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
9 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
2h 38m 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 Maryvale, AZ to Sahuarita, AZ covers 142.7 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Nogales–Tucson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.3 miles from Maryvale, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.40 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 142.7 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.
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.
The route from Maryvale, AZ to Sahuarita, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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