Trip from Pima, AZ to Chandler, AZ

Drive Time

3h 10m

Distance

145.4 mi

234 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 59m ★
6 AM
3h 11m
8 AM
3h 34m
10 AM
3h 19m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 33m
8 PM
3h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Pima, AZ, AZ

Pima, AZ

András Nyemczovszky

Downtown Chandler, AZ, AZ

Chandler, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

Spanning 145.4 miles, this journey from Pima to Chandler takes approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes to complete. Because the trip is well within the range of a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $29 on fuel, making it an affordable excursion across the Desert Southwest. The route transitions from the quiet environment of Pima toward the more developed landscape of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Navigating through West Center Street, the Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Superstition Freeway provides a direct connection between these two Arizona locations. It is a straightforward trip that serves as an efficient way to cross the state, provided you are prepared for a turn-heavy local driving experience.

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

72.7 miles from Pima, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is far from a simple, monotonous interstate cruise. With only 16% of the trip spent on highways, you should prepare for a turn-heavy local driving experience that requires your full attention. The longest uninterrupted section lasts for 66.3 miles on West Center Street, which will be your primary opportunity to settle into a rhythm. As you transition onto the Phoenix–Globe Highway and eventually the Superstition Freeway, the road's character shifts from local streets to more structured thoroughfares. Expect a mix of technical turns that keep you actively engaged behind the wheel rather than just coasting along long, straight stretches.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Center Street is the longest continuous segment at about 66.3 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 US 70 / West Center Street.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 3h 10m drive. You will face about 7 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 (US 70 / West Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 69 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 69 miles (North Broad Street): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 70 / West Center Street

Turn right onto US 70 / West Center Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
4
69 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in | East Oak Street

Turn left onto East Oak Street

Navigation decision point

4
69 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in | North Broad Street

Turn right onto North Broad Street

Navigation decision point

8
139.3 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in

Take the exit toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Chandler

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 179 Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Chandler
4
139.8 mi into trip | ~3h in | SR 87 / South Country Club Drive

Turn left onto SR 87 / South Country Club Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
West Center Street 66.3 mi 1h 21m
Phoenix–Globe Highway 42.9 mi 55m
Superstition Freeway 19.6 mi 22m
North Arizona Avenue 4 mi 6m
US 60 4 mi 7m
East Ash Street 2.3 mi 4m
West Live Oak Street 1.9 mi 3m
North Broad Street 1.9 mi 3m
Longest stretch: West Center Street — 66.3 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pima, AZ and Chandler, AZ.

1

Start on this road

190 ft · 16 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto US 70

66 mi · 1 hr 21 min · West Center Street
Use the none lane.
3

Continue on US 70; AZ 77

2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street
Use the none lane.
4

Turn right onto South Hill Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · South Hill Street
5

Turn left onto East Oak Street

366 ft · 11 sec · East Oak Street
6

Turn right onto North Broad Street

0.5 mi · 53 sec · North Broad Street
7

Continue on US 60

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Broad Street
8

Continue on US 60

4.0 mi · 7 min · US 60
Use the none lane.
9

Continue on US 60

1.9 mi · 3 min · West Live Oak Street
10

Continue on US 60

43 mi · 55 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the none lane.
11

Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist

20 mi · 22 min · Superstition Freeway
Use the none lane.
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 179 Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Chandler Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn left onto SR 87

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Country Club Drive
Use the none lane.
14

Continue on AZ 87

4.0 mi · 6 min · North Arizona Avenue
Use the none lane.
15

Turn left onto East Chandler Boulevard

149 ft · 12 sec · East Chandler Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16

Arrive at destination

East Chandler Boulevard

Trip Plan

Planning for this 3-hour and 10-minute drive is simple, as the manageable duration offers you plenty of flexibility in your schedule. Since you are limited to just one recommended stop, choose your break location carefully to maximize your comfort during the longer 66.3-mile stretch on West Center Street. Being a turn-heavy route, consider leaving during daylight hours to ensure you have maximum visibility for the local segments of the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $29 estimated cost is a baseline that can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Prioritizing a mid-trip rest will help you stay sharp as you navigate the transition from local roads to the busier Superstition Freeway.

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 72.7 miles from Pima, AZ, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.3 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 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 72.7 miles or 1h 33m 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 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chandler, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Pima, 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 Pima, AZ

This is one driving day of about 145.4 miles and 3h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pima, 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 West Center Street for about 66.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.7 mi from Pima, AZ · 1h 33m into the drive

Downtown Queen Creek, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Queen Creek, AZ

73 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.

Popular next leg

Queen Creek, AZ to Chandler, AZ

15.6 mi · 26m

Pacing Suggestions

Queen Creek, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Queen Creek, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.7 miles from Pima, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before West Center Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.3 miles.

Arriving in Chandler, AZ

The final approach into Chandler, 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 Chandler, 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

$28.94 one way

$57.87 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $30.56 $61.11
premium $5.59 $31.98 $63.96
diesel $5.64 $32.30 $64.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.6 0 $15.27 $6.98
Efficient EV 36.4 0 $12.72 $5.82
EV Truck/SUV 58.2 0 $20.36 $9.31

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (67% 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 3 days ago

Origin

Pima, AZ

Afternoon in Pima on Sunday

Local time

2:55 PM

MST

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chandler, AZ

Afternoon in Chandler on Sunday

Local time

2:55 PM

MST

Current temp

91°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

45 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 10m 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 Pima, AZ to Chandler, AZ covers 145.4 miles and takes about 3h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Center Street, Phoenix–Globe Highway, Superstition Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.7 miles from Pima, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.94 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 is a straightforward 3h 10m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 70 / West Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 69 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 69 miles (North Broad Street): Navigation decision point.
The route from Pima, AZ to Chandler, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Chandler, AZ to Pima, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

144.7 mi 3h 10m

Explore more options from Pima, AZ or browse trips ending in Chandler, AZ.

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