Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Arivaca Junction, AZ

Q: How long is the trip from Phoenix, AZ to Arivaca Junction, AZ?

The drive from Phoenix, AZ to Arivaca Junction, AZ covers 148.1 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Nogales–Tucson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 74 miles from Phoenix, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.50 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Q: How many breaks should I plan?

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Q: What towns show up on signs driving from Phoenix, AZ to Arivaca Junction, AZ?

The route from Phoenix, AZ to Arivaca Junction, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 41m

Distance

148.1 mi

238 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 31m ★

6 AM

2h 41m

8 AM

3h 3m

10 AM

2h 49m

12 PM

2h 47m

3 PM

2h 50m

5 PM

3h 1m

8 PM

2h 35m

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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seat of Maricopa County, largest city in, and capital of, the State of Arizona, United States

Phoenix, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Arivaca Junction, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

This 148.1-mile drive from Phoenix to Arivaca Junction, Arizona, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $30, it's an affordable excursion. You'll primarily navigate the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, and Nogales–Tucson Highway, experiencing a route that balances highway driving with more local road segments. The Desert Southwest region offers a consistent backdrop for this journey. Given its relatively short duration, this route is perfect for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

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

74 miles from Phoenix, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 148.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (13%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

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

Drive Character

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 148.1-mile journey, with only 13% of the route on highways. While the longest uninterrupted stretch is 54.6 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, the overall character involves more frequent turns and potentially slower speeds as you transition between different road types. This isn't a straight, monotonous interstate cruise; rather, it’s a drive that requires more active navigation and awareness of your surroundings. You'll likely feel more connected to the local landscape as you make your way south.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 19 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South 1st Avenue.

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 148.1 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (East Maricopa Freeway): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South 1st Avenue

Turn left onto South 1st Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South 1st Avenue

Keep slight left at fork onto South 1st Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

2 mi into trip | ~5m in | East Maricopa Freeway

Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

2 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the ramp toward I 17 South, US 60 East

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 17 South, US 60 East

114.1 mi into trip | ~2h 2m 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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway	54.6 mi	55m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway	37.8 mi	38m
Nogales–Tucson Highway	33 mi	37m
Maricopa Freeway	14 mi	16m
North Freeway	5.4 mi	6m
South 7th Street	0.9 mi	2m
East Lincoln Street	0.4 mi	1m
South 1st Street	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Casa Grande-Tucson Highway — 54.6 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Arivaca Junction, AZ.

Start on West Washington Street

322 ft · 18 sec · West Washington Street

Turn left onto South 1st Avenue

436 ft · 9 sec · South 1st Avenue

Use the left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto South 1st Avenue

350 ft · 14 sec · South 1st Avenue

Turn left onto West Madison Street

0.1 mi · 31 sec · West Madison Street

At end of road, turn right onto South 1st Street

0.3 mi · 55 sec · South 1st Street

Turn left onto East Lincoln Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Lincoln Street

Turn right onto South 7th Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · South 7th Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway

290 ft · 8 sec · East Maricopa Freeway

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Toward I 17 South, US 60 East Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 17; US 60

14 mi · 16 min · Maricopa Freeway