Trip from Sierra Vista, AZ to Maricopa, AZ

Drive Time

3h 13m

Distance

171.3 mi

276 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

16 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 2m ★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 37m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 7m

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

Downtown Sierra Vista, AZ, AZ

Sierra Vista, AZ

Leslie del Moral

Downtown Maricopa, AZ, AZ

Maricopa, AZ

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Sierra Vista, AZ to Maricopa, AZ covers 171.3 miles and takes about 3h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, Phoenix Bypass Route for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.5 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.09 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

85.6 miles from Sierra Vista, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 13m drive with frequent turns across 171.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

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.
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 54.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Fry Boulevard.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 171.3 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Fry Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 29.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.7 miles (I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | West Fry Boulevard

Turn right onto West Fry Boulevard

Navigation decision point

6
29.1 mi into trip | ~36m in

Turn left toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
5
29.7 mi into trip | ~37m in | I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway

Merge onto I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
80.9 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in | I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
157.7 mi into trip | ~2h 57m in | AZ 347 / South John Wayne Parkway

Turn right onto AZ 347 / South John Wayne Parkway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Sierra Vista, AZ and Maricopa, AZ, road signs point toward Tuscon and Stanfield.

Tuscon

29.1 mi in | ~36m

Stanfield

148.8 mi in | ~2h 40m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway 54.5 mi 55m
Tucson-Benson Highway 41.4 mi 43m
Phoenix Bypass Route 16.8 mi 16m
State Route 90 15 mi 17m
South John Wayne Parkway 13.1 mi 15m
Huachuca Boulevard 9 mi 10m
South Freeway 6 mi 6m
Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway 4.6 mi 6m
Longest stretch: Casa Grande-Tucson Highway — 54.5 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sierra Vista, AZ and Maricopa, AZ.

1

Start on this road

59 ft · 6 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto West Fry Boulevard

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West Fry Boulevard
3

Turn right onto Buffalo Soldier Trail

1.5 mi · 2 min · Buffalo Soldier Trail
4

Continue on AZ 90

3.0 mi · 3 min · State Route 90
5

Continue on AZ 90

2.2 mi · 3 min · South Huachuca Boulevard
6

Continue on AZ 90

12 mi · 13 min · State Route 90
7

Continue on AZ 90

9.0 mi · 10 min · Huachuca Boulevard
8

Continue on AZ 90

1.3 mi · 2 min · South State Highway 90
9

Turn left

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
10

Merge onto I 10

41 mi · 43 min · Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 10

6.0 mi · 6 min · South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 10

3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

51 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 35 sec
Exit 199 Toward I 8 West: San Diego
15

Continue on I 8

17 mi · 16 min · Phoenix Bypass Route
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 161 Toward Stanfield
17

Turn right onto BIA 42

3.4 mi · 8 min · Stanfield Road
18

Turn left onto AZ 84

0.5 mi · 51 sec · Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway
19

Continue on AZ 84

0.5 mi · 41 sec · Arizona Drive
20

Continue on AZ 84

4.1 mi · 6 min · Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway
21

Turn right onto AZ 347

13 mi · 15 min · South John Wayne Parkway
Use the right lane.
22

Continue on AZ 347

0.5 mi · 43 sec · North John Wayne Parkway
Use the left lane.
23

Arrive at destination

AZ 347

Trip Plan

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 85.6 miles from Sierra Vista, AZ, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 85.6 miles or 1h 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 2h 32m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Sierra Vista, 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 Sierra Vista, AZ

This is one driving day of about 171.3 miles and 3h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sierra Vista, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 85.6 mi from Sierra Vista, AZ · 1h 36m into the drive

Downtown Tucson, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tucson, AZ

86 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

Tucson, AZ to Maricopa, AZ

92.8 mi · 1h 40m

Pacing Suggestions

Tucson, AZ

Fuel and coffee

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

Tucson, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.6 miles from Sierra Vista, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Maricopa, AZ

The final approach into Maricopa, 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 Maricopa, 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.

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park

National Park

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...

9 mi from route ~23 min detour $25 near mile 59.1
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
View on nps.gov
Coronado National Memorial

Coronado National Memorial

National Memorial

It was a journey of conquest filled with exploration, wonder - and cruelty. Inspired by tales of vast cities of gold, 339 European soldiers and over a thousand Aztec allies embarked on an epic journey...

14 mi from route ~36 min detour Free
View on nps.gov
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

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...

15 mi from route ~39 min detour Free near mile 129.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.09 one way

$68.18 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $36.00 $72.00
premium $5.59 $37.68 $75.36
diesel $5.64 $38.06 $76.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

16 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Shell Gas Station and Convenience Store - Tesla Supercharger

Tucson, AZ

Tesla

10 DCFC

Walmart 3807 (Benson, AZ)

Benson, AZ

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Environmental and General Services

Tucson, AZ

Blink Network

4 DCFC

Sports Complex

Sierra Vista, AZ

EV Connect

2 DCFC

Porsche - Tucson

Tucson, AZ

Non-Networked

2 DCFC

5151 E Broadway

Tucson, AZ

Non-Networked

2 DCFC

FasCharge 4614 Fast Market Valero Tucson Drexel Rd

Tucson, AZ

RED_E

2 DCFC

Public Library

Sierra Vista, AZ

EV Connect

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 6 EV Connect: 4 Non-Networked: 2 Electrify America: 1 Tesla: 1 Blink Network: 1 RED_E: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.4 0 $17.99 $8.22
Efficient EV 42.8 0 $14.99 $6.85
EV Truck/SUV 68.5 0 $23.98 $10.96

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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

Sierra Vista, AZ

Afternoon in Sierra Vista on Monday

Local time

12:12 PM

MST

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Maricopa, AZ

Afternoon in Maricopa on Monday

Local time

12:12 PM

MST

Current temp

54°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

4 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 13m 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 Sierra Vista, AZ to Maricopa, AZ covers 171.3 miles and takes about 3h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, Phoenix Bypass Route. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.6 miles from Sierra Vista, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.09 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 171.3 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Fry Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 29.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.7 miles (I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Sierra Vista, AZ and Maricopa, AZ, road signs point toward Tuscon and Stanfield.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Maricopa, AZ to Sierra Vista, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

177.3 mi 3h 12m

Explore more options from Sierra Vista, AZ or browse trips ending in Maricopa, AZ.

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