Origin
San Luis, AZ
Late night in San Luis on Wednesday
Local time
5:15 AM
MST
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Luis, AZ to Glendale, AZ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
202.5 mi
326 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 42m
★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 5m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Luis, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Glendale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 202.5-mile drive from San Luis, AZ to Glendale, AZ takes approximately 3 hours and 55 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on the Blue Star Memorial Highway, Arizona State Highway 85, and the Robert A. Vaughan Expressway. With a fuel cost estimated at $41, this route through the Desert Southwest offers a straightforward journey. It's a practical option for getting from one point in Arizona to another without needing an overnight stop.
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
101.2 miles from San Luis, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive offers a mixed experience, with 31% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 106.2 miles on the Blue Star Memorial Highway, which likely offers a consistent driving pace. As you progress, the route transitions between these main roads, providing some variation in the road's character. Expect a blend of open road driving and stretches that might feel more urban or suburban as you approach Glendale.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Blue Star Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 106.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 95 / Main Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 202.5 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: near the start (US 95 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 170.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 95 / Main Street
Enter roundabout onto US 95 / Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
170.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
6
191.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133B
7
196.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward Glendale Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7B
Toward Glendale Avenue
8
197 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Glendale Avenue East, Glendale Sports Facilities
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward Glendale Avenue East, Glendale Sports Fa...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Luis, AZ and Glendale, AZ, road signs point toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo and Gilda Bend.
85: Phoenix
133.3 mi in
|
~2h 24m
|
via I 8 Business
Ajo
133.3 mi in
|
~2h 24m
|
via I 8 Business
Gilda Bend
133.5 mi in
|
~2h 24m
|
via I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 106.2 mi | 1h 49m |
| Arizona State Highway 85 | 28.1 mi | 32m |
| Robert A. Vaughan Expressway | 20.9 mi | 24m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| Papago Freeway | 8.1 mi | 9m |
| West Glendale Avenue | 4.9 mi | 10m |
| East Cesar Chavez Boulevard | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| Agua Fria Freeway | 4.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 106.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Luis, AZ and Glendale, AZ.
1
Start on Urtuzuastegui Street
20 ft
·
0 sec
·
Urtuzuastegui Street
2
Enter roundabout onto US 95
7 ft
·
0 sec
·
Main Street
3
Continue on US 95
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Main Street
4
Turn right onto East C Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
East C Street
5
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
4th Avenue
6
Turn right onto East Cesar Chavez Boulevard
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
East Cesar Chavez Boulevard
7
Continue on AZ 195
21 mi
·
24 min
·
Robert A. Vaughan Expressway
8
Continue on AZ 195
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
·
South Araby Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Enter roundabout
113 ft
·
1 sec
10
Continue
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
11
Merge onto I 8
106 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
12
Take the exit onto I 8 Business
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 8 Business
Toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
13
Continue on I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
East Pima Street
Toward AZ-85: Phoenix, Gilda Bend
14
Continue on AZ 85
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
15
Turn left onto AZ 85
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on AZ 85
28 mi
·
32 min
·
Arizona State Highway 85
17
Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
18
Continue on AZ 85
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South Oglesby Road
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 10
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 10
8.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 133B
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 7B
Toward Glendale Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
362 ft
·
7 sec
Toward Glendale Avenue East, Glendale Sports Facilities
Use the left / right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto West Glendale Avenue
4.9 mi
·
10 min
·
West Glendale Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto North 58th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
North 58th Avenue
28
Continue on West Lamar Road
368 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Lamar Road
29
Turn right onto North 57th Drive
313 ft
·
14 sec
·
North 57th Drive
30
Turn right onto US 60
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Grand Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
US 60
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3 hour and 55-minute duration, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Glendale with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Be mindful of the fuel cost of $41 and ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing San Luis, as the longest stretch without a major break is over 100 miles. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge will be important on this Arizona to Arizona journey.
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 101.2 miles from San Luis, AZ, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.2 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.2 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Luis, 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 San Luis, AZ
This is one driving day of about 202.5 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from San Luis, 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 Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 106.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.2 mi from San Luis, AZ · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.2 miles from San Luis, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Blue Star Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.2 miles.
Arriving in Glendale, AZ
The final approach into Glendale, 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 Glendale, AZ.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.34 one way
$80.68 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $42.69 | $85.38 |
| premium | $5.59 | $44.57 | $89.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.71 | $89.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.26 | $9.72 |
| Efficient EV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.72 | $8.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81 | 1 | $28.35 | $12.96 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Destination
Glendale, AZ
Late night in Glendale on Wednesday
Local time
5:15 AM
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
17 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 55m 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 San Luis, AZ to Glendale, AZ covers 202.5 miles and takes about 3h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Blue Star Memorial Highway, Arizona State Highway 85, Robert A. Vaughan Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 101.2 miles from San Luis, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.34 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 demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 202.5 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: near the start (US 95 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 170.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between San Luis, AZ and Glendale, AZ, road signs point toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo and Gilda Bend.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Glendale, AZ
More from San Luis, AZ
More trips to Glendale, AZ
Explore more options from San Luis, AZ or browse trips ending in Glendale, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for San Luis, AZ or Glendale, AZ on MapSof.net.