Origin
Sun City West, AZ
Afternoon in Sun City West on Sunday
Local time
4:08 PM
MST
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sun City West, AZ to Maricopa, AZ
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
64.7 mi
104 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sun City West, AZ
Mark Direen
Maricopa, AZ
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 64.7 miles across the Desert Southwest, this trip from Sun City West to Maricopa is a straightforward journey typically taking about 1 hour and 24 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You should budget approximately $13 for fuel to complete the trek. Navigating through the heart of the Arizona desert, you will transition between major urban corridors and secondary roads. It is a practical, efficient path that connects two distinct desert communities without unnecessary complexity. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a day of exploration, the trip offers a predictable pace that fits easily into a weekend schedule.
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
32.3 miles from Sun City West, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between high-speed freeways and local thoroughfares. You will spend roughly 59% of your time on highways, utilizing the Papago Freeway and the Maricopa Freeway before shifting onto North Maricopa Road. The longest uninterrupted section you will encounter is a 14.9-mile stretch along the Papago Freeway, which provides a steady rhythm before the route becomes more localized. As you move away from the metropolitan freeway grid, the character of the road shifts, requiring you to remain alert for changes in traffic flow. This blend of infrastructure types keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate slog while still maintaining a reasonable pace.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 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 route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near North R H Johnson Boulevard.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 64.7 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 0.8 miles (North R H Johnson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (West Bell Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (North Dysart Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
North R H Johnson Boulevard
Turn left onto North R H Johnson Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
West Bell Road
Turn right onto West Bell Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
North Dysart Road
Turn left onto North Dysart Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
17.8 mi into trip
|
~27m 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
7
48.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward AZ 347 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 164
Toward AZ 347 South
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Papago Freeway | 14.9 mi | 17m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| North Maricopa Road | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| Agua Fria Freeway | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| Grand Avenue | 5.5 mi | 9m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| North John Wayne Parkway | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| West Queen Creek Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Papago Freeway
— 14.9 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sun City West, AZ and Maricopa, AZ.
1
Start on West Marble Drive
257 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Marble Drive
2
Turn left onto North Camino Del Sol
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
North Camino Del Sol
3
Turn left onto North 133rd Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North 133rd Avenue
4
Turn left onto North R H Johnson Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North R H Johnson Boulevard
Use the none lane.
5
Turn right onto West Bell Road
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
West Bell Road
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto North Dysart Road
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Dysart Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on North Dysart Road
336 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Dysart Road
8
Turn left onto US 60
5.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
10
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Agua Fria Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1B
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 10
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
14
Continue on I 10
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 10; US 60
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the none lane.
17
Continue on I 10
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 164
Toward AZ 347 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto AZ 347
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Queen Creek Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Continue on AZ 347
12 mi
·
13 min
·
North Maricopa Road
Use the none lane.
21
Continue on AZ 347
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North John Wayne Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
AZ 347
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever your schedule allows, though avoiding peak traffic hours on the major freeways is always a smart move. Because there are no designated stops required for a drive of this length, you can easily complete the 64.7-mile distance in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Sun City West, as the $13 estimate assumes a steady flow of travel. If you find yourself needing a break, plan to stretch your legs once you transition off the Maricopa Freeway and onto the secondary roads. Remember that the route relies heavily on major arterial roads, so checking real-time traffic conditions before you pull out of your driveway will help ensure your 1 hour and 24 minute estimate stays accurate.
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 32.3 miles from Sun City West, AZ, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.9 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 64.7 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.3 miles or 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 11m
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 Sun City West, 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 Sun City West, AZ
This is one driving day of about 64.7 miles and 1h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sun City West, 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 Papago Freeway for about 14.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.3 mi from Sun City West, AZ · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 64.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.3 miles from Sun City West, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.88 one way
$25.75 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $13.60 | $27.19 |
| premium | $5.59 | $14.23 | $28.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.37 | $28.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.79 | $3.11 |
| Efficient EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.66 | $2.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.06 | $4.14 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Maricopa, AZ
Afternoon in Maricopa on Sunday
Local time
4:08 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
2 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
1h 24m 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 Sun City West, AZ to Maricopa, AZ covers 64.7 miles and takes about 1h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Papago Freeway, Maricopa Freeway, North Maricopa Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.3 miles from Sun City West, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.88 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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 64.7 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 0.8 miles (North R H Johnson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (West Bell Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (North Dysart Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sun City West, AZ to Maricopa, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Maricopa, AZ
More from Sun City West, AZ
More trips to Maricopa, AZ
Explore more options from Sun City West, AZ or browse trips ending in Maricopa, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Sun City West, AZ or Maricopa, AZ on MapSof.net.