Origin
Sun City, AZ
Morning in Sun City on Friday
Local time
9:13 AM
MST
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sun City, AZ to Chandler, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
56m
Distance
44.6 mi
72 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 52m
★
6 AM
0h 57m
8 AM
1h 6m
10 AM
1h 0m
12 PM
0h 59m
3 PM
1h 0m
5 PM
1h 5m
8 PM
0h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sun City, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Chandler, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Sun City, AZ to Chandler, AZ is 44.6 miles and takes about 56 minutes via Papago Freeway, Agua Fria Freeway, and US 60, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, single-day trip within the Desert Southwest, connecting two points in Arizona. Expect a drive that is mostly on major freeways, making it a practical option for getting from one area to another efficiently. Given its relatively short duration, it’s an easy addition to a longer itinerary or a convenient way to navigate between these specific urban centers.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 56m. Total distance: 44.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience the character of a freeway commute, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 14.9 miles on the Papago Freeway. The drive primarily follows the Papago Freeway, then transitions to the Agua Fria Freeway before merging onto US 60. Expect consistent traffic flow typical of urban freeway travel within the Desert Southwest region.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Papago Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 14.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Papago Freeway and Agua Fria Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 44.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 56m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 10 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
8
10 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
6
25 mi into trip
|
~30m 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
31 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
US 60
Take the exit onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
8
38.7 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Chandler
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 179
Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Chandler
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Sun City, AZ to Chandler, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Globe
31 mi in
|
~37m
|
via US 60
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Papago Freeway | 14.9 mi | 17m |
| Agua Fria Freeway | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| US 60 | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| North Arizona Avenue | 4 mi | 6m |
| South Country Club Drive | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Grand Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Papago Freeway
— 14.9 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sun City, AZ and Chandler, AZ.
1
Start on US 60
23 ft
·
2 sec
·
Grand Avenue
2
Continue on US 60
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
4
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 10
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
8
Continue on I 10
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 60
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
US 60
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 179
Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Chandler
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto AZ 87
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Country Club Drive
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on AZ 87
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North Arizona Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto East Chandler Boulevard
149 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Chandler Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
East Chandler Boulevard
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.3 mi from Sun City, AZ · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.3 miles from Sun City, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chandler, AZ
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Chandler, AZ if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.88 one way
$17.77 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $9.40 | $18.81 |
| premium | $5.59 | $9.82 | $19.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.85 | $19.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.68 | $2.14 |
| Efficient EV | 11.2 | 0 | $3.90 | $1.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.24 | $2.85 |
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
Chandler, AZ
Morning in Chandler on Friday
Local time
9:13 AM
MST
Current temp
89°F
Partly Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 3:13AM PDT until April 17 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 3:13AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Sun City, AZ to Chandler, AZ covers 44.6 miles and takes about 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Papago Freeway, Agua Fria Freeway, US 60. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.3 miles from Sun City, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.88 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 short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 44.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 56m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 10 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Sun City, AZ to Chandler, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Casa Grande Ruins 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.
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