Origin
Sun City West, AZ
Evening in Sun City West on Sunday
Local time
5:52 PM
MST
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sun City West, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
44m
Distance
23.8 mi
38 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 44m
8 AM
0h 52m
10 AM
0h 47m
12 PM
0h 46m
3 PM
0h 47m
5 PM
0h 51m
8 PM
0h 42m
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
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from Sun City West to Phoenix, you are looking at a straightforward 31.7-mile journey that typically takes about 43 minutes. This route stays entirely within the Desert Southwest, keeping you in a consistent climate as you move between the two locations. Because the trip is so short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you can easily skip an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $6, it is an affordable way to navigate between these two Arizona hubs. You will rely on local surface streets like North Camino Del Sol and North R H Johnson Boulevard rather than interstate highways, which gives the trip a more localized feel.
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
11.9 miles from Sun City West, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint. Since this route involves zero highway miles, you will navigate primarily through North 133rd Avenue and other local thoroughfares. This setup requires you to stay alert at intersections and manage frequent turns as you transition between the two areas. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of road, the drive demands your full attention behind the wheel. It is a practical, utilitarian path that favors navigation through community infrastructure over the open-road experience typical of long-distance highway travel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Grand Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 19.9 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 North Camino Del Sol.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 23.8 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 (North Camino Del Sol): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (North R H Johnson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (West Bell Road): 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 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Camino Del Sol
Turn left onto North Camino Del Sol
Navigation decision point
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.
5
22.9 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
US 80 Hist / West Van Buren Street
Turn left onto US 80 Hist / West Van Buren Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Avenue | 19.9 mi | 34m |
| North R H Johnson Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North 133rd Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Bell Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Van Buren Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North Dysart Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North 1st Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Adams Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Grand Avenue
— 19.9 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sun City West, AZ and Phoenix, 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
17 mi
·
28 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on Grand Avenue
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Van Buren Street
Use the none lane.
11
Turn slight right onto North 1st Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
North 1st Avenue
12
Turn left onto West Adams Street
0.1 mi
·
40 sec
·
West Adams Street
13
Turn right onto North 1st Street
408 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 1st Street
14
Turn right onto East Washington Street
453 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Washington Street
15
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 43-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding local peak traffic hours is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the distance is short enough to drive in one go. Keep your $6 fuel budget in mind when planning your itinerary to ensure you are ready for the road. Because you will be navigating exclusively on local roads, make sure your navigation system is updated to handle the various turns on North R H Johnson Boulevard and the surrounding grid. Embracing the stop-and-go nature of this local route will make your transition between Sun City West and Phoenix much smoother.
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 11.9 miles from Sun City West, AZ, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.9 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 23.8 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.9 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, 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 23.8 miles and 44m.
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 Grand Avenue for about 19.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.9 mi from Sun City West, AZ · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 23.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.9 miles from Sun City West, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
The final approach into Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, 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
$4.74 one way
$9.47 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $5.00 | $10.00 |
| premium | $5.59 | $5.24 | $10.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.29 | $10.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.50 | $1.14 |
| Efficient EV | 6 | 0 | $2.08 | $0.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.33 | $1.52 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Phoenix, AZ
Evening in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
5:52 PM
MST
Current temp
61°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
5 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
44m 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 Phoenix, AZ covers 23.8 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Grand Avenue, North R H Johnson Boulevard, North 133rd Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.9 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 $4.74 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 23.8 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 (North Camino Del Sol): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (North R H Johnson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles (West Bell Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sun City West, AZ to Phoenix, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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