Origin
Maryvale, AZ
Evening in Maryvale on Sunday
Local time
7:02 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Maryvale, AZ to Sun Lakes, AZ
Drive Time
46m
Distance
34.7 mi
56 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maryvale, AZ
Mikhail Nilov
Sun Lakes, AZ
Kris Møklebust
Trip Overview
If you are planning a transit from Maryvale to Sun Lakes, expect a straightforward 34.7-mile journey through the heart of the Desert Southwest. This highway-focused drive typically takes about 46 minutes to complete, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $7, the route is both efficient and budget-friendly. You will primarily utilize the Papago Freeway, Maricopa Freeway, and the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway to navigate between these two Arizona locations. Since the entire trip is relatively short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay, allowing you the flexibility to complete the transit in a single morning or afternoon session.
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
17.3 miles from Maryvale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a commute dominated by major thoroughfares, as roughly 62% of your travel time will be spent on the highway. The character of the drive is defined by high-speed transit, with the longest uninterrupted stretch occurring over 12.3 miles on the Maricopa Freeway. You should prepare for an interstate-focused experience rather than a winding, scenic backroad cruise. Navigating these arterial roads requires maintaining a steady pace as you transition between the Papago and Maricopa systems. While the road personality is functional and efficient, the shift toward the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway signals the final phase of your arrival in Sun Lakes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Maricopa Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Maricopa Freeway and Papago Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near North 51st Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 34.7 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: 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 14 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
30.9 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward Riggs Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 167
Toward Riggs Road
6
31.3 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
West Riggs Road
Turn left onto West Riggs Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maricopa Freeway | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| Papago Freeway | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| West Riggs Road | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| North 51st Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Indian School Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North 55th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Maricopa Freeway
— 12.3 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maryvale, AZ and Sun Lakes, 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
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 167
Toward Riggs Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto West Riggs Road
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
West Riggs Road
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto South Dobson Road
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
South Dobson Road
Use the none lane.
14
Turn left onto East Palomino Place
182 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Palomino Place
15
Turn right onto South Pinewood Drive
323 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Pinewood Drive
16
Continue on East Foster Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
East Foster Avenue
17
Turn right onto South Glenburn Drive
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Glenburn Drive
18
Turn right onto East Bud Court
144 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Bud Court
19
Arrive at destination
East Bud Court
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 46-minute trip, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the freeway system. Because the total distance is under 35 miles and there are no scheduled stops required, you have the advantage of complete schedule flexibility. Keep your fuel gauge in mind before you start, though the modest $7 cost makes it easy to top off at either end of the trip. Since you will be spending the majority of your time on high-speed roads, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained highway travel. A useful tip for this specific route is to stay attentive to the transition points between the major freeways, as signage changes rapidly when moving from the Papago to the Maricopa Freeway.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 17.3 miles from Maryvale, AZ, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.3 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 34.7 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.3 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sun Lakes, 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 34.7 miles and 46m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Maricopa Freeway for about 12.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.3 mi from Maryvale, AZ · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.3 miles from Maryvale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Sun Lakes, AZ
The final approach into Sun Lakes, 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 Sun Lakes, 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
$6.91 one way
$13.81 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $7.29 | $14.58 |
| premium | $5.59 | $7.63 | $15.27 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.71 | $15.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.64 | $1.67 |
| Efficient EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.04 | $1.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.86 | $2.22 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Sun Lakes, AZ
Evening in Sun Lakes on Sunday
Local time
7:02 PM
MST
Current temp
55°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
5 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
46m 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 Sun Lakes, AZ covers 34.7 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Maricopa Freeway, Papago Freeway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.3 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 $6.91 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 34.7 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.
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 Sun Lakes, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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