Drive Time
31m
Distance
25.1 mi
40 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Photo: Carter Marchant
Traveling from Sun Lakes to Phoenix covers a short distance of 25.1 miles, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You can expect a quick transit time of approximately 31 minutes depending on local traffic. With a modest fuel budget of $5, this commute is highly economical for travelers moving between these two Desert Southwest locations. Because you will be navigating local streets rather than major interstates, plan for a straightforward journey. This trip is best suited for those looking for a direct link between the suburbs and the city center. Since the route involves zero formal stops, you can easily complete the drive in one efficient session.
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
12.5 miles from Sun Lakes, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. You will navigate via South Glenburn Drive, East Foster Avenue, and East Palomino Place, requiring your full attention as you transition between these neighborhood roads. Because the route features 0% highway share, you won't experience high-speed interstate cruising. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on South Glenburn Drive, which characterizes the technical, street-level nature of this path. Navigating these local thoroughfares offers a different experience than a typical highway trek, as the road personality remains constant and focused on urban connectivity.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Glenburn Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Foster Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Palomino Place | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Dobson Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Riggs Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 10 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Maricopa Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Sun Lakes, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
Start on East Bud Court
Turn left onto South Glenburn Drive
Turn left onto East Foster Avenue
Turn left onto East Palomino Place
Turn right onto South Dobson Road
Turn left onto East Riggs Road
Take the ramp right toward I 10 West: Phoenix
Merge slight left onto Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Maricopa Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway
Turn right onto South 7th Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Arrive at your destination
Since this is a quick 31-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You should prepare for the frequent turns required by the local road network, so keep your navigation handy to stay on track. Because there are no designated stops along the way, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Sun Lakes to keep your $5 fuel cost estimate accurate. Traffic patterns can fluctuate, so checking real-time conditions before you head out is a smart move. Given the lack of highway stretches, stay alert for local intersection changes as you move through the Phoenix area.
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.
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 25.1 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.5 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Sun Lakes, 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 Lakes, AZ
This is one driving day of about 25.1 miles and 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.5 mi from Sun Lakes, AZ · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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.
A short stop after about 25.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 12.5 miles from Sun Lakes, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$4.89 one way
$9.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $5.27 | $10.55 |
| premium | $5.57 | $5.50 | $11.00 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $6.29 | $12.58 |
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: 8.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.5 | 0 | $2.64 | $1.20 |
| Efficient EV | 6.3 | 0 | $2.20 | $1.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10 | 0 | $3.51 | $1.61 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Sun Lakes on Saturday
Local time
8:53 AM
MST
Current temp
55°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
8:53 AM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
59°F
Tempe, AZ
13 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Sun Lakes, AZ or browse trips ending in Phoenix, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Sun Lakes, AZ or Phoenix, AZ on MapSof.net.
