This 184.2-mile journey from Show Low, AZ to Maryvale, AZ takes approximately 3 hours and 51 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing the Globe-Show Low Highway and Phoenix–Globe Highway, with a portion on the Superstition Freeway, it's well-suited for a single-day trip. Expect a fuel cost around $37 for this drive through the Desert Southwest region. The route offers a turn-heavy local driving experience, making it feel more like an exploration than a simple point-to-point transit. With only one recommended stop, you'll find this drive manageable and direct.
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
92.1 miles from Show Low, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 51m. Total distance: 184.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
You'll find this drive to be a turn-heavy local experience, rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. While 25% of the route involves highway driving, much of it is on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.5 miles along the Globe-Show Low Highway. This section likely provides a consistent driving feel before transitioning to other roadways. The character of the drive shifts as you progress, offering a varied experience behind the wheel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Globe-Show Low Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 83.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 165.2 miles in near US 60.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 184.2 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 165.2 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 165.7 miles (I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 170.6 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
165.2 mi into trip|~3h 25m in|US 60
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward I 10 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 10 North
5
165.7 mi into trip|~3h 26m in|I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
170.6 mi into trip|~3h 31m in|I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
172.6 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
180.6 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward 51st Avenue, 59th 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 139
Toward 51st Avenue, 59th Avenue
Step-by-step road directions between Show Low, AZ and Maryvale, AZ.
1
Start on US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260
2.3 mi·4 min·East Deuce of Clubs
2
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·Globe-Show Low Highway
3
Turn right onto US 60
1.1 mi·2 min·East Ash Street
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
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 left lane.
11
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
27 mi·31 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
0.6 mi·38 sec·US 60
Toward I 10 North
13
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.9 mi·5 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·Papago Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.7 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
17
Continue on I 10
4.9 mi·5 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 139Toward 51st Avenue, 59th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto North 51st Avenue
2.2 mi·3 min·North 51st Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto West Indian School Road
0.5 mi·1 min·West Indian School Road
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto North 55th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North 55th Avenue
22
Continue on North 55th Avenue
169 ft·16 sec·North 55th Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
North 55th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 51 minute duration, this drive is comfortably completed in one day. Consider departing Show Low, AZ in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and any brief pauses. The longest stretch without a significant break is 83.5 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye out for the transition between the Globe-Show Low Highway and the Phoenix–Globe Highway, as this may indicate a change in road conditions or the start of more local traffic. The single recommended stop is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel.
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 92.1 miles from Show Low, AZ, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.5 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 41 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.1 miles or 1h 53m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maryvale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Show Low, 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 Show Low, AZ
This is one driving day of about 184.2 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Show Low, 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 Globe-Show Low Highway for about 83.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.1 mi from Show Low, AZ
· 1h 53m into the drive
The midpoint is around 92.1 miles from Show Low, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Globe-Show Low Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.5 miles.
Arriving in Maryvale, AZ
The final approach into Maryvale, 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 Maryvale, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
National Monument
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 127.1
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$10
near mile 101.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.69 one way
$73.39 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$38.83
$77.67
premium
$5.59
$40.55
$81.09
diesel
$5.61
$40.67
$81.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.3
0
$19.34
$8.84
Efficient EV
46.1
0
$16.12
$7.37
EV Truck/SUV
73.7
0
$25.79
$11.79
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Show Low, AZ
Morning
in Show Low on Friday
Local time
6:47 AM
MST
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Maryvale, AZ
Morning
in Maryvale on Friday
Local time
6:47 AM
MST
Current temp
93°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
25 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 51m 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 Show Low, AZ to Maryvale, AZ covers 184.2 miles and takes about 3h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Globe-Show Low Highway, 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 92.1 miles from Show Low, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.69 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 12 significant decision points across 184.2 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 165.2 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 165.7 miles (I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 170.6 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Show Low, AZ to Maryvale, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
