Trip from Sierra Vista, AZ to Surprise, AZ

Drive Time

3h 55m

Distance

212.6 mi

342 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

16 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 43m ★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 22m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m

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 Surprise, AZ, AZ

Surprise, AZ

Kostiantyn Zavhorodnii

Trip Overview

The drive from Sierra Vista, AZ to Surprise, AZ covers 212.6 miles and takes about 3h 55m 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-Casa Grande Highway 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 $42.31 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

106.3 miles from Sierra Vista, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 55m drive with frequent turns across 212.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 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. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 212.6 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 29.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.9 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

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
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.
7
197.3 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in

Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 133B Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
207 mi into trip | ~3h 45m in

Take the exit toward US 60

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 11 Toward US 60
7
212 mi into trip | ~3h 54m in | Santa Fe Drive

Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Sierra Vista, AZ to Surprise, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscon along the way.

Tuscon

29.1 mi in | ~36m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway 54.5 mi 55m
Tucson-Benson Highway 41.4 mi 43m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway 38.1 mi 38m
Papago Freeway 15 mi 17m
State Route 90 15 mi 17m
Maricopa Freeway 12 mi 13m
Huachuca Boulevard 9 mi 10m
Agua Fria Freeway 8.8 mi 10m
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 Surprise, 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

Continue on I 10

38 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 10

12 mi · 13 min · Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
19

Continue on I 10

10 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 133B Toward AZ 101 Loop North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Continue on AZ 101 Loop

8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 11 Toward US 60 Use the slight right lane.
23

Turn left onto US 60

4.7 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
24

Turn right onto West Greenway Road

212 ft · 10 sec · West Greenway Road
Use the right lane.
25

Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Santa Fe Drive
Use the left lane.
26

Turn right onto North Nash Street

0.3 mi · 50 sec · North Nash Street
27

Arrive at destination

North Nash Street

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 106.3 miles from Sierra Vista, AZ, or about 1h 57m 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 106.3 miles or 1h 57m 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 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surprise, 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 212.6 miles and 3h 55m.

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 106.3 mi from Sierra Vista, AZ · 1h 57m into the drive

Downtown Tucson, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tucson, AZ

106 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 Surprise, AZ

144.5 mi · 2h 17m

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 106.3 miles from Sierra Vista, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Surprise, AZ

The final approach into Surprise, 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 Surprise, 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 58.6
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
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...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 139.3
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

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.31 one way

$84.62 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $44.68 $89.36
premium $5.59 $46.76 $93.53
diesel $5.64 $47.23 $94.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.4 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 $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.8 0 $22.32 $10.20
Efficient EV 53.2 0 $18.60 $8.50
EV Truck/SUV 85 1 $29.76 $13.61

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Sierra Vista, AZ

Afternoon in Sierra Vista on Monday

Local time

12:08 PM

MST

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Surprise, AZ

Afternoon in Surprise on Monday

Local time

12:08 PM

MST

Current temp

56°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

6 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 Sierra Vista, AZ to Surprise, AZ covers 212.6 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.3 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 $42.31 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 13 significant decision points across 212.6 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 29.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.9 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Sierra Vista, AZ to Surprise, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscon along the way.

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Return Trip

Surprise, AZ to Sierra Vista, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

212.5 mi 3h 56m

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

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