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Trip from Naco, AZ to Gilbert, AZ

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 9m

Distance

209 mi

336 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 57m ★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 16m
3 PM
4h 20m
5 PM
4h 35m
8 PM
4h 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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Downtown Naco, AZ, AZ

Naco, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Gilbert, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Naco, AZ to Gilbert, AZ covers 209 miles and takes about 4h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.5 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.64 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

104.5 miles from Naco, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 209 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (25%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 4h 9m drive with frequent turns across 209 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 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 54.5 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 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 62.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 209 miles you will encounter 14 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 62.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.7 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
62.9 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in

Turn left toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
6
114.7 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in | I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
189.5 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in

Take the exit toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 175 Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
6
189.8 mi into trip | ~3h 37m in | AZ 587

Turn left onto AZ 587

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
196.6 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in | East Riggs Road

Turn right onto East Riggs Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Naco, AZ to Gilbert, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscon along the way.

Tuscon

62.9 mi in | ~1h 25m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway 54.5 mi 55m
Tucson-Benson Highway 41.4 mi 43m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway 24.1 mi 24m
State Route 92 20.3 mi 25m
State Route 90 15 mi 17m
South Gilbert Road 9.3 mi 15m
Huachuca Boulevard 9 mi 10m
South Freeway 6 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Casa Grande-Tucson Highway — 54.5 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Naco, AZ and Gilbert, AZ.

1

Start on this road

127 ft · 14 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto West Martinez Street

207 ft · 11 sec · West Martinez Street
3

Turn right onto South Towner Avenue

0.3 mi · 44 sec · South Towner Avenue
4

Turn left onto West Newell Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · West Newell Street
5

Continue on South Willson Road

3.0 mi · 7 min · South Willson Road
6

At end of road, turn left onto AZ 92

20 mi · 25 min · State Route 92
7

Continue on AZ 92

2.6 mi · 3 min · Sierra Vista-Bisbee Highway
8

Continue on AZ 92

3.0 mi · 4 min · AZ 92
9

Turn left onto Buffalo Soldier Trail

6.0 mi · 9 min · Buffalo Soldier Trail
10

Continue on AZ 90

3.0 mi · 3 min · State Route 90
11

Continue on AZ 90

2.2 mi · 3 min · South Huachuca Boulevard
12

Continue on AZ 90

12 mi · 13 min · State Route 90
13

Continue on AZ 90

9.0 mi · 10 min · Huachuca Boulevard
14

Continue on AZ 90

1.3 mi · 2 min · South State Highway 90
15

Turn left

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
16

Merge onto I 10

41 mi · 43 min · Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 10

6.0 mi · 6 min · South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on I 10

3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

51 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on I 10

24 mi · 24 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec
Exit 175 Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Turn left onto AZ 587

5.8 mi · 8 min · AZ 587
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23

Continue on AZ 87

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Arizona Avenue
24

Turn right onto East Riggs Road

3.0 mi · 5 min · East Riggs Road
Use the left lane.
25

Turn left onto South Gilbert Road

9.3 mi · 15 min · South Gilbert Road
Use the left lane.
26

Turn right onto East Cullumber Avenue

436 ft · 21 sec · East Cullumber Avenue
27

Turn right onto North Elm Street

244 ft · 10 sec · North Elm Street
28

Turn right

203 ft · 14 sec
29

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 104.5 miles from Naco, AZ, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 46 miles or 1h 5m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 104.5 miles or 2h 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 3h 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gilbert, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Naco, 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 Naco, AZ

This is one driving day of about 209 miles and 4h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Naco, 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 54.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 104.5 mi from Naco, AZ · 2h 9m into the drive

city in Pima County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

South Tucson, AZ

105 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

Huachuca City, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

South Tucson, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 104.5 miles from Naco, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Gilbert, AZ

The final approach into Gilbert, 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 Gilbert, AZ.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Coronado National Memorial

Coronado National Memorial

National Memorial

It was a journey of conquest filled with exploration, wonder - and cruelty. Inspired by tales of vast cities of gold, 339 European soldiers and over a thousand Aztec allies embarked on an epic journey...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 21.6
View on nps.gov
Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park

National Park

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour $25 near mile 93.7
View on nps.gov
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

National Monument

An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...

11 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 173
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.64 one way

$83.27 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 73 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $44.06 $88.13
premium $5.59 $46.00 $92.01
diesel $5.61 $46.14 $92.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 73.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 62.7 0 $21.94 $10.03
Efficient EV 52.3 0 $18.29 $8.36
EV Truck/SUV 83.6 1 $29.26 $13.38

Gas CO2

73 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast as of Jun 22, 2022

Origin

Naco, AZ

Afternoon in Naco on Thursday

Local time

3:54 PM

MST

Current temp

89°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gilbert, AZ

Afternoon in Gilbert on Thursday

Local time

3:54 PM

MST

Current temp

93°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

4 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

4h 9m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Naco, AZ to Gilbert, AZ covers 209 miles and takes about 4h 9m 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 104.5 miles from Naco, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 209 miles you will encounter 14 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 62.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.7 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Naco, AZ to Gilbert, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscon along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Coronado National Memorial, Saguaro National Park and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.

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