Origin
Maryvale, AZ
Evening in Maryvale on Sunday
Local time
5:54 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Maryvale, AZ to Whetstone, AZ
Drive Time
2h 59m
Distance
166.7 mi
268 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 48m
★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 9m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maryvale, AZ
Mikhail Nilov
Whetstone, AZ
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
Spanning 166.7 miles, your journey from Maryvale to Whetstone is a straightforward trip across the Desert Southwest that typically takes about 2 hours and 59 minutes. Since this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the entire route in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate via a combination of the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, and the Tucson-Benson Highway. Budgeting approximately $33 for fuel will cover your expenses for this desert transit. Because both your starting point and destination are nestled within the same region, you can expect a consistent climate and environment throughout your travels.
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
83.4 miles from Maryvale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention, as only 17% of this route consists of high-speed highway travel. You will spend the most time on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, which offers your longest uninterrupted stretch of 54.6 miles. While the trip is relatively short, the technical nature of the local roads means you won't be dealing with a mindless interstate grind. The road's personality shifts as you transition between these specific highway segments, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns. It is a practical drive that prioritizes local connectivity over rapid highway transit.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 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 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near West Indian School Road.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 166.7 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.5 miles (West Indian School Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (North 51st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West Indian School Road
Turn left onto West Indian School Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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.
6
165.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 41.4 mi | 43m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| Papago Freeway | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| North Freeway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| North 51st Avenue | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel | 0.5 mi | <1m |
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 Whetstone, 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
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
41 mi
·
43 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 302
Toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
15
Turn right onto AZ 90
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
South State Highway 90
16
Turn left onto West Casa del Rio Drive
383 ft
·
21 sec
·
West Casa del Rio Drive
17
Arrive at destination
West Casa del Rio Drive
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip is simple given the one-day timeframe, but you should still account for the turn-heavy nature of the roads when setting your pace. Since you only have one major stop scheduled, choose a location that allows you to refuel and stretch your legs effectively during the three-hour duration. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to avoid fatigue while navigating the more technical local road sections. Keep your $33 fuel budget in mind as you plan your stops to ensure you have enough range for the entire 166.7-mile distance. A helpful tip for this route: since the highway share is low, factor in extra time for traffic signals and turns that aren't present on typical interstate travel.
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 83.4 miles from Maryvale, AZ, or about 1h 31m 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 83.4 miles or 1h 31m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Whetstone, 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 166.7 miles and 2h 59m.
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 83.4 mi from Maryvale, AZ · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 83.4 miles from Maryvale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Whetstone, AZ
The final approach into Whetstone, 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 Whetstone, 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
$33.18 one way
$66.35 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $35.03 | $70.07 |
| premium | $5.59 | $36.67 | $73.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.03 | $74.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50 | 0 | $17.50 | $8.00 |
| Efficient EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.59 | $6.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.7 | 0 | $23.34 | $10.67 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Whetstone, AZ
Evening in Whetstone on Sunday
Local time
5:54 PM
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
13 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 59m 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 Whetstone, AZ covers 166.7 miles and takes about 2h 59m 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, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.4 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 $33.18 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 166.7 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.5 miles (West Indian School Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (North 51st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Maryvale, AZ to Whetstone, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Whetstone, AZ
More trips to Whetstone, AZ
Explore more options from Maryvale, AZ or browse trips ending in Whetstone, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Maryvale, AZ or Whetstone, AZ on MapSof.net.