Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
4:49 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Surprise, AZ
Drive Time
36m
Distance
20.2 mi
33 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 33m
★
6 AM
0h 37m
8 AM
0h 43m
10 AM
0h 39m
12 PM
0h 38m
3 PM
0h 39m
5 PM
0h 42m
8 PM
0h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Surprise, AZ
Kostiantyn Zavhorodnii
Trip Overview
Traveling from Phoenix to Surprise covers a brief 26.9-mile distance, making this a straightforward trek within the Desert Southwest. You can expect the journey to take approximately 35 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Because this is a quick trip, you do not need to worry about overnight accommodations; it is perfectly suited for a single day of travel. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an incredibly economical route to manage. Since both cities are located within the same region, you will experience a consistent environment throughout the entire drive. This is a practical, no-nonsense path if you are looking to move between these two Arizona hubs quickly.
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
10.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route contains zero highway miles. Your navigation will rely on a mix of North 7th Avenue, Grand Avenue, and West Greenway Road to reach your destination. Because the longest stretch is 0 miles on North 7th Avenue, you should prepare for frequent turns and constant adjustments rather than long, uninterrupted periods of driving. This personality makes the route feel more like a navigation through local corridors than a major highway haul. Stay alert at intersections, as the nature of these local roads requires your full attention throughout the duration of the trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Grand Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 19 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Washington Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 36m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 19.7 miles (West Greenway Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Washington Street
Depart onto West Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North 7th Avenue
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
19.7 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
West Greenway Road
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
19.7 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
Santa Fe Drive
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
20 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
North Nash Street
Turn right onto North Nash Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Avenue | 19 mi | 33m |
| West Washington Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Nash Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Santa Fe Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North 7th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Greenway Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Grand Avenue
— 19 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Surprise, AZ.
1
Start on West Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn right onto North 7th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North 7th Avenue
3
Turn slight left onto Grand Avenue
19 mi
·
33 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the left / slight left / straight lanes.
4
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
212 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Greenway Road
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Santa Fe Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto North Nash Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Nash Street
7
Arrive at destination
North Nash Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 35-minute duration, you have total flexibility when planning your departure time. Since there are zero scheduled stops on this 26.9-mile route, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to plan for rest breaks. Keep your fuel costs low by filling up before you leave, as the $5 budget is quite manageable for this distance. My best tip for this specific drive is to stay mindful of the transition between North 7th Avenue and Grand Avenue, as the turn-heavy nature of the route means missing a turn can quickly add time to your trip. Use this advantage of a short drive to focus on your navigation through the local street grid.
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 10.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19 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 20.2 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.1 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surprise, 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 20.2 miles and 36m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Grand Avenue for about 19 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.1 mi from Phoenix, AZ · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 20.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10.1 miles from Phoenix, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Surprise, AZ
The final approach into Surprise, 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 Surprise, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.02 one way
$8.04 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $4.25 | $8.49 |
| premium | $5.59 | $4.44 | $8.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.49 | $8.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.1 | 0 | $2.12 | $0.97 |
| Efficient EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.77 | $0.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.83 | $1.29 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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.
Destination
Surprise, AZ
Afternoon in Surprise on Sunday
Local time
4:49 PM
MST
Current temp
56°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
5 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
36m 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 Surprise, AZ covers 20.2 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Grand Avenue, West Washington Street, North Nash Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10.1 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 $4.02 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 straightforward 36m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (North 7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 19.7 miles (West Greenway Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Phoenix, AZ to Surprise, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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