Origin
Saint David, AZ
Late night in Saint David on Wednesday
Local time
1:14 AM
MST
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
167.4 mi
269 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
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.
Saint David, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Phoenix, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Saint David to Phoenix covers 167.4 miles of the Desert Southwest, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 2 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, this trip works perfectly as a single-day excursion, requiring only one planned stop to keep you refreshed. You can expect to spend approximately $33 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for a quick change of scenery. The route transitions you through the heart of Arizona, moving between the smaller, quieter atmosphere of Saint David and the urban expanse of Phoenix. Whether you are heading to the city for business or leisure, the straightforward nature of this drive allows for a stress-free transition between these two desert hubs.
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 Saint David, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
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This is a mixed-drive route where you will spend 41% of your time on highways, balancing interstate speed with more moderate pace sections. You will navigate via the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, I-10 Bus, and the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted segment you’ll encounter is a 54.5-mile stretch along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, which provides a steady rhythm for your cruise. Because the road changes in character as you progress, stay alert for transitions between high-speed highway travel and local roadway conditions. Expect a blend of environments that keeps the drive engaging without becoming overly technical or demanding behind the wheel.
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
10 ft
Total Descent
3,048 ft
Highest Point
4,126 ft
~12 mi in
Elevation Range
3,038 ft
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Saint David, AZ to Phoenix, AZ is easy. At 3h 2m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Saint David, AZ to Phoenix, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Patton Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| State Route 80 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 4th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 10 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Maricopa Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Saint David, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
Start on South Lee Street
Continue on East Patton Street
Continue on State Route 80
Turn left
Turn right onto East 4th Street
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Tucson
Continue on South Freeway
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Maricopa Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway
Turn right onto South 7th Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Arrive at your destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Aim to depart early in the day to avoid peak traffic as you approach the Phoenix metropolitan area. With only one recommended stop, use that break strategically to stretch your legs and refuel once you reach the halfway point of your journey. Keep in mind that the $33 fuel estimate is a baseline, so check your vehicle's efficiency before heading out to ensure you have enough for the full 167.4-mile trip. By pacing your drive and maintaining a consistent speed on the longer stretches, you will ensure a comfortable and efficient arrival in Phoenix.
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.
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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.7 miles or 1h 31m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Saint David, 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 Saint David, AZ
This is one driving day of about 167.4 miles and 3h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.7 mi from Saint David, AZ · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 83.7 miles from Saint David, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$33.35 one way
$66.70 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Saint David on Wednesday
Local time
1:14 AM
MST
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Phoenix on Wednesday
Local time
1:14 AM
MST
Current temp
61°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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