This 167.4-mile journey from Phoenix to Saint David, Arizona, will take you about 3 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, and Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, it's an economical option for exploring the Desert Southwest region. The drive offers a more local feel, making it a good choice if you prefer to avoid extensive interstate travel. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive.
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
83.7 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
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Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 167.4-mile trip. While 18% of the route involves highway driving, much of it will feel like navigating local roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 54.6 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. This means you'll experience more frequent changes in speed and direction compared to a pure interstate experience. The road's character will likely shift as you move from urban outskirts into more rural desert landscapes.
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 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.
Route Complexity6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 167.4 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 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 11 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.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South 1st Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto South 1st Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
6
157.7 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|I 10 Business
Take the exit onto I 10 Business toward I 10 Business: Tombstone, Douglas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 303
Toward I 10 Business: Tombstone, Douglas
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 Phoenix, AZ to Saint David, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Douglas along the way.
Douglas
157.7 mi in|~2h 47m|via I 10 Business
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi
55m
Tucson-Benson Highway
42.9 mi
44m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
37.8 mi
38m
Maricopa Freeway
14 mi
16m
AZ 80
7.4 mi
11m
North Freeway
6.1 mi
6m
I 10 Bus
2.1 mi
3m
South 7th Street
0.9 mi
2m
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 Saint David, 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
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
55 mi·55 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
6.1 mi·6 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 10
43 mi·44 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto I 10 Business
0.3 mi·34 sec·I 10 Business
Exit 303Toward I 10 Business: Tombstone, Douglas
16
Continue on I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
2.1 mi·3 min·I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 10 BUS, AZ 80: Benson, Douglas
17
Turn slight right onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
0.1 mi·26 sec·AZ 80; US 80 Hist
18
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
7.3 mi·11 min·AZ 80; US 80 Hist
19
Arrive at destination
AZ 80; US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, departing Phoenix in the morning allows ample time to reach Saint David without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your break. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest 54.6-mile stretch on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, as services might be more spaced out in certain sections. This route is manageable in a single day, so you can depart and arrive on the same day, maximizing your time at your destination.
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 83.7 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 80 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.7 miles or 1h 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 2h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint David, 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 167.4 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Phoenix, 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 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.7 mi from Phoenix, AZ
· 1h 30m into the drive
The midpoint is around 83.7 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Saint David, AZ
The final approach into Saint David, 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 Saint David, 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.
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
~23 min detour
$25
near mile 127
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 46.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.35 one way
$66.70 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$35.29
$70.58
premium
$5.59
$36.85
$73.70
diesel
$5.61
$36.96
$73.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.2
0
$17.58
$8.04
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.65
$6.70
EV Truck/SUV
67
0
$23.44
$10.71
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 data refreshed 5 days ago
Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Late night
in Phoenix on Wednesday
Local time
1:14 AM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint David, AZ
Late night
in Saint David on Wednesday
Local time
1:14 AM
MST
Current temp
44°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
17 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
3h 3m 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 Saint David, AZ covers 167.4 miles and takes about 3h 3m 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 83.7 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 $33.35 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 167.4 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.
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.
On the drive from Phoenix, AZ to Saint David, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Douglas along the way.
