The drive from Phoenix, AZ to Catalina, AZ covers 108.1 miles and takes about 2h 13m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pinal Pioneer Parkway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Maricopa Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.9 miles on Pinal Pioneer Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.53 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 108.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 13m highway drive covering 108.1 miles, with most of the trip on Pinal Pioneer Parkway and Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 35.9 miles on Pinal Pioneer Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pinal Pioneer Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pinal Pioneer Parkway and Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. 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.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 108.1 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South 1st Avenue
Turn left onto South 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2 mi into trip|~5m in|East Maricopa Freeway
Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
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
8
39.4 mi into trip|~45m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 185
Toward AZ 187, AZ 387: Casa Grande, Coolidge
6
39.7 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward AZ 187 North, AZ 387 North: Coolidge, Florence, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AZ 187 North, AZ 387 North: Coolidge, Fl...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Phoenix, AZ and Catalina, AZ, road signs point toward Coolidge, Florence and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.
Coolidge
39.4 mi in|~45m
Florence
39.7 mi in|~46m
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
39.7 mi in|~46m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
35.9 mi
41m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
23.1 mi
23m
Maricopa Freeway
14 mi
16m
Florence-Coolidge Highway
8.1 mi
11m
Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
7 mi
8m
AZ 387
6.9 mi
9m
South Pinal Parkway Avenue
5 mi
6m
Tucson-Globe Highway
3.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
— 35.9 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Catalina, AZ.
1
Start on West Washington Street
322 ft·18 sec·West Washington Street
2
Turn left onto South 1st Avenue
436 ft·9 sec·South 1st Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto South 1st Avenue
350 ft·14 sec·South 1st Avenue
4
Turn left onto West Madison Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·West Madison Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto South 1st Street
0.3 mi·55 sec·South 1st Street
6
Turn left onto East Lincoln Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East Lincoln Street
7
Turn right onto South 7th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·South 7th Street
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway
290 ft·8 sec·East Maricopa Freeway
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 17 South, US 60 EastUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 17; US 60
14 mi·16 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
23 mi·23 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 185Toward AZ 187, AZ 387: Casa Grande, CoolidgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
298 ft·14 sec
Toward AZ 187 North, AZ 387 North: Coolidge, Florence, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
14
Turn left onto AZ 387
0.4 mi·38 sec·Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
15
Turn right onto AZ 387
6.9 mi·9 min·AZ 387
16
Turn right onto AZ 87
7.0 mi·8 min·Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
17
Continue on AZ 287
8.1 mi·11 min·Florence-Coolidge Highway
18
Enter roundabout onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
55 ft·1 sec·AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
19
Continue on AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
416 ft·7 sec·AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
20
Enter roundabout onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
97 ft·1 sec·AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
21
Continue on AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
0.6 mi·1 min·AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
22
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 79; US 80 Hist
5.0 mi·6 min·South Pinal Parkway Avenue
23
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
36 mi·41 min·Pinal Pioneer Parkway
24
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
0.4 mi·29 sec·State Route 79
25
Turn right onto AZ 77; US 80 Hist
3.2 mi·4 min·Tucson-Globe Highway
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
0.2 mi·28 sec·Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto Edwin Road
0.3 mi·45 sec·Edwin Road
28
Turn right onto North Elkins Road
0.4 mi·1 min·North Elkins Road
29
Turn right onto East Pinto Place
491 ft·21 sec·East Pinto Place
30
Arrive at destination
East Pinto Place
Trip Plan
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 24 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.1 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catalina, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 108.1 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Phoenix, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pinal Pioneer Parkway for about 35.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.1 mi from Phoenix, AZ
· 1h 5m into the drive
The midpoint is around 54.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Catalina, AZ
The final approach into Catalina, 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 Catalina, 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.
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...
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
$25
near mile 108.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.53 one way
$43.07 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$22.79
$45.58
premium
$5.59
$23.79
$47.59
diesel
$5.61
$23.87
$47.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
5 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Midway Nissan
Phoenix, AZ
Non-Networked
2 DCFC
Midway Nissan
Phoenix, AZ
Non-Networked
1 DCFC
ABC Nissan
Phoenix, AZ
Non-Networked
1 DCFC
Coulter Cadillac
Phoenix, AZ
EV Connect
1 DCFC
ADOA UTILITIES 1400 FC
Phoenix, AZ
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
Non-Networked: 3
EV Connect: 1
ChargePoint Network: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.4
0
$11.35
$5.19
Efficient EV
27
0
$9.46
$4.32
EV Truck/SUV
43.2
0
$15.13
$6.92
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Evening
in Phoenix on Thursday
Local time
6:17 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Catalina, AZ
Evening
in Catalina on Thursday
Local time
6:17 PM
MST
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
89°F
Florence, AZ
54 mi in
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
7 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 13m 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 Phoenix, AZ to Catalina, AZ covers 108.1 miles and takes about 2h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pinal Pioneer Parkway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Maricopa Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.53 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 108.1 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.
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.
Between Phoenix, AZ and Catalina, AZ, road signs point toward Coolidge, Florence and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.
