Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
4:42 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
1h 7m
Distance
58.1 mi
94 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Arizona City, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Traveling from Phoenix to Arizona City covers 58.1 miles through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 7 minutes, making this a straightforward journey that easily fits into a single day of travel. You will navigate primarily via South 1st Avenue, West Madison Street, and South 1st Street rather than relying on major interstates. With an estimated fuel cost of only $11, this is an economical trip that requires no overnight stops. Because the route remains entirely within the Desert Southwest region of Arizona, the transition between these two locations is consistent and predictable. It is a practical choice for those who prefer navigating local roads over high-speed highway travel.
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
29.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
This trip is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, offering a much different experience than a standard interstate commute. Because 0% of the route consists of highway travel, you should prepare for constant maneuvering through local streets and intersections. You will find no long, uninterrupted stretches of road, as the longest segment on South 1st Avenue is 0 miles. The journey demands your full attention as you transition between multiple city streets to reach your destination. If you prefer a route that keeps you engaged with constant turns and urban navigation, this path will suit your driving style perfectly.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 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.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.1 miles you will encounter 11 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 2 miles (East Maricopa Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto South 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 17 South, US 60 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Sunland Gin Road, Arizona City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto North Sunland Gin Road
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 14 mi | 16m |
| North Sunland Gin Road | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| South 7th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| East Lincoln Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South 1st Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 1st Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Madison Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Arizona City, AZ.
Start on West Washington Street
Turn left onto South 1st Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto South 1st Avenue
Turn left onto West Madison Street
At end of road, turn right onto South 1st Street
Turn left onto East Lincoln Street
Turn right onto South 7th Street
Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 17; US 60
Continue on I 10
Take the exit
Turn right onto North Sunland Gin Road
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short 58.1-mile drive with no scheduled stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. Plan to set aside about 1 hour and 7 minutes for the total transit, though local traffic on these city streets can always influence your actual arrival. Keep your $11 fuel budget in mind, and ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Phoenix to avoid searching for stations along the way. Because there are zero formal stops, be sure to handle any personal errands or breaks before you begin your journey. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert for frequent turns, as the lack of highway segments means you will be relying heavily on your navigation to follow the local street sequence.
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.
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 58.1 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.1 miles or 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arizona City, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, AZ
This is one driving day of about 58.1 miles and 1h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.1 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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.
A short stop after about 58.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 29.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Arizona City, 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 Arizona City, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$11.56 one way
$23.13 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $12.21 | $24.42 |
| premium | $5.59 | $12.78 | $25.56 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.91 | $25.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.10 | $2.79 |
| Efficient EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.08 | $2.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.13 | $3.72 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
4:42 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Arizona City on Sunday
Local time
4:42 PM
MST
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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