Origin
San Tan Valley, AZ
Evening in San Tan Valley on Sunday
Local time
7:13 PM
MST
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Tan Valley, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
46.9 mi
75 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 1m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 17m
10 AM
1h 10m
12 PM
1h 9m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 17m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Tan Valley, AZ
Brent Singleton
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from San Tan Valley to Phoenix, you are looking at a straightforward 48.1-mile trek across the Desert Southwest. Expect the journey to take roughly 56 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Because this is a relatively short distance, it is perfect for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. Budget approximately $9 for fuel to complete the one-way transit. Navigating this route involves primarily local roads like North Schnepf Road, East Combs Road, and North Gantzel Road rather than major interstates. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two desert communities.
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
23.5 miles from San Tan Valley, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies entirely on local roads, meaning your highway share is 0%. You will encounter frequent turns as you transition between North Schnepf Road, East Combs Road, and North Gantzel Road. The pace is defined by local traffic patterns rather than high-speed cruising, so stay alert through the various intersections. It is a functional, winding path that requires your full attention as you navigate the local infrastructure connecting the valley to the city.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Superstition Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Superstition Freeway and Maricopa Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 46.9 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: at 14.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.5 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
14.8 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 202 Loop North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward AZ 202 Loop North
7
18.6 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward US 60 West: Phoenix
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30B
Toward US 60 West: Phoenix
7
37.5 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
US 60
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward I 10 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 10 North
8
42.9 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
8
44.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
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 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Superstition Freeway | 17.4 mi | 20m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| North Ironwood Road | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Santan Freeway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Gateway Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| North Gantzel Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| East Combs Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Schnepf Road | 2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Superstition Freeway
— 17.4 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Tan Valley, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on East Skyline Drive
151 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Skyline Drive
2
Continue on North Schnepf Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
North Schnepf Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto East Combs Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East Combs Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto North Gantzel Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Gantzel Road
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on North Ironwood Road
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
North Ironwood Road
Use the none lane.
6
Turn left onto AZ 24
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Gateway Expressway
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 4
8
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
this road
9
Continue on AZ 24
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Gateway Freeway
10
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
this road
Exit 3
11
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
this road
12
Continue on AZ 24
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Gateway Freeway
13
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
this road
Exit 2
14
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
·
this road
15
Continue on AZ 24
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Gateway Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Toward AZ 202 Loop North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Santan Freeway
Use the none lane.
18
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
3 min
Exit 30B
Toward US 60 West: Phoenix
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 60
17 mi
·
20 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 60
Toward I 10 North
Use the none lane.
21
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Use the slight right lane.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
24
Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Maricopa Freeway
25
Turn right onto South 7th Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South 7th Street
Use the none lane.
26
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since the drive is under an hour, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling to avoid peak traffic times. With no planned stops required for a 48.1-mile journey, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to build in extra rest time. Keep your $9 fuel budget in mind before you head out, and ensure your tank is topped off since you will be relying on local roads rather than major highway service stations. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the turns on North Gantzel Road before departing, as the local road navigation can be more complex than a simple highway route.
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 23.5 miles from San Tan Valley, AZ, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.4 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 46.9 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 23.5 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Tan Valley, 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 Tan Valley, AZ
This is one driving day of about 46.9 miles and 1h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from San Tan Valley, 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 Superstition Freeway for about 17.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.5 mi from San Tan Valley, AZ · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 46.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.5 miles from San Tan Valley, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.33 one way
$18.67 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $9.86 | $19.71 |
| premium | $5.59 | $10.32 | $20.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.42 | $20.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.92 | $2.25 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.57 | $3.00 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Phoenix, AZ
Evening in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
7:13 PM
MST
Current temp
61°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
7 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
1h 6m 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 Tan Valley, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 46.9 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Superstition Freeway, Maricopa Freeway, North Ironwood Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.5 miles from San Tan Valley, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.33 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 demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 46.9 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: at 14.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.5 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from San Tan Valley, AZ to Phoenix, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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