Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Evening in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
7:06 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
1h
Distance
48.1 mi
77 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
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
Casa Grande, AZ
Brent Singleton
Traveling from Phoenix to Casa Grande covers 48.3 miles through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect a quick drive clocking in at roughly 53 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Since the route relies entirely on local roads like South 1st Avenue and West Madison Street, you won't be dealing with high-speed interstate traffic. Budget about $9 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. This straightforward trip is perfect for those who prefer navigating city and local infrastructure over highway driving. Because both cities are located within the same region, you can anticipate a consistent desert climate throughout the duration of your 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
24.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a standard interstate cruise, this 48.3-mile route consists of 0% highway driving, meaning you will navigate surface streets for the entire duration. Because the longest stretch is 0 miles on South 1st Avenue, you should be prepared for frequent turns and intersection management. This is not a route for cruise control; it is a tactical, localized path that takes you through the urban landscape. The road's personality is defined by its constant shifts rather than long, monotonous stretches of pavement.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South 1st Avenue.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 48.1 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 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 AZ 187, AZ 387: Casa Grande, Coolidge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 387 South: Casa Grande, Casa Grande Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Phoenix, AZ and Casa Grande, AZ, road signs point toward Coolidge and Casa Grande Airport.
Coolidge
Casa Grande Airport
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 23.1 mi | 23m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 14 mi | 16m |
| North Pinal Avenue | 7.9 mi | 13m |
| South 7th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| East Lincoln Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| State Route 387 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South 1st Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 1st Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Casa Grande, 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
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto AZ 387
Continue on AZ 387
Arrive at destination
Given the 53-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility when choosing your departure time. Since there are zero planned stops along the way, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you head out, keeping that $9 fuel estimate in mind for your planning. Because this is a turn-heavy route on local roads, stay alert at intersections rather than relying on the autopilot nature of highway driving. If you are sensitive to heavy traffic, try to avoid peak commuting hours to keep your transit time as efficient as possible. Use the lack of designated stops to your advantage by planning your own breaks within the city centers of Phoenix or Casa Grande.
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 48.1 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.1 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Casa Grande, 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 48.1 miles and 1h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.1 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 48.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 24.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Casa Grande, 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 Casa Grande, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$9.57 one way
$19.15 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $10.11 | $20.22 |
| premium | $5.59 | $10.58 | $21.16 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.69 | $21.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.05 | $2.31 |
| Efficient EV | 12 | 0 | $4.21 | $1.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.73 | $3.08 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Evening in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
7:06 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Casa Grande on Sunday
Local time
7:06 PM
MST
Current temp
52°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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