Traveling from Surprise to Catalina covers 134.9 miles across the Desert Southwest, making for a straightforward 2-hour and 45-minute journey. Because the total duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $27 on fuel for the trek, which relies heavily on a network of major thoroughfares. You will navigate through the Papago Freeway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, and Pinal Pioneer Parkway to reach your destination. It is an efficient path that links two distinct points in Arizona, offering a reliable transit experience for those looking to move between these regions without unnecessary complications.
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
67.4 miles from Surprise, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is defined by a 68% highway share, prioritizing speed and efficiency over winding backroads. You will spend a significant portion of your time on high-speed arteries, with the longest uninterrupted segment spanning 35.9 miles along the Pinal Pioneer Parkway. Behind the wheel, you should expect a consistent pace that transitions from the urban sprawl of the Phoenix area to the more open desert landscape. While the route maintains a steady flow, the changing road types ensure you are not stuck on a single monotonous stretch for the entire duration. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who appreciate a clear, direct path to their destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pinal Pioneer Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pinal Pioneer Parkway and Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near West Greenway Road.
Route Complexity9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 134.9 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 0.5 miles (West Greenway Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.5 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|West Greenway Road
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
14.5 mi into trip|~20m 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
29.5 mi into trip|~38m 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
66.1 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward AZ 187, AZ 387: Casa Grande, Coolidge
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 185
Toward AZ 187, AZ 387: Casa Grande, Coolidge
6
66.4 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward AZ 187 North, AZ 387 North: Coolidge, Florence, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AZ 187 North, AZ 387 North: Coolidge, Fl...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Surprise, AZ and Catalina, AZ, road signs point toward Coolidge, Florence and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.
Coolidge
66.1 mi in|~1h 17m
Florence
66.4 mi in|~1h 18m
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
66.4 mi in|~1h 18m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
35.9 mi
41m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
23.1 mi
23m
Papago Freeway
14.9 mi
17m
Maricopa Freeway
12.3 mi
14m
Agua Fria Freeway
8.9 mi
10m
Florence-Coolidge Highway
8.1 mi
11m
Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
7 mi
8m
AZ 387
6.9 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
— 35.9 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surprise, AZ and Catalina, AZ.
1
Start on North Nash Street
0.3 mi·53 sec·North Nash Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto West Santa Fe Drive
0.3 mi·36 sec·West Santa Fe Drive
3
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
217 ft·7 sec·West Greenway Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto US 60
4.6 mi·7 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
6
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
8.9 mi·10 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 10 East: PhoenixUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 10
10 mi·12 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·35 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
10
Continue on I 10
3.2 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
1.2 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 10; US 60
12 mi·14 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
23 mi·23 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 185Toward AZ 187, AZ 387: Casa Grande, CoolidgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
298 ft·14 sec
Toward AZ 187 North, AZ 387 North: Coolidge, Florence, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
16
Turn left onto AZ 387
0.4 mi·38 sec·Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
17
Turn right onto AZ 387
6.9 mi·9 min·AZ 387
18
Turn right onto AZ 87
7.0 mi·8 min·Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
19
Continue on AZ 287
8.1 mi·11 min·Florence-Coolidge Highway
20
Enter roundabout onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
55 ft·1 sec·AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
21
Continue on AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
416 ft·7 sec·AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
22
Enter roundabout onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
97 ft·1 sec·AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
23
Continue on AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
0.6 mi·1 min·AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
24
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 79; US 80 Hist
5.0 mi·6 min·South Pinal Parkway Avenue
25
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
36 mi·41 min·Pinal Pioneer Parkway
26
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
0.4 mi·29 sec·State Route 79
27
Turn right onto AZ 77; US 80 Hist
3.2 mi·4 min·Tucson-Globe Highway
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
0.2 mi·28 sec·Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto Edwin Road
0.3 mi·45 sec·Edwin Road
30
Turn right onto North Elkins Road
0.4 mi·1 min·North Elkins Road
31
Turn right onto East Pinto Place
491 ft·21 sec·East Pinto Place
32
Arrive at destination
East Pinto Place
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 45-minute trip, plan to include at least one stop to break up the drive and keep your focus sharp. Given the $27 fuel estimate, consider topping off your tank before you leave Surprise to avoid unnecessary detours once you hit the more open stretches of the Pinal Pioneer Parkway. Since this is a single-day journey, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though avoiding peak traffic hours on the Papago Freeway is always a smart move. Keep a close eye on your mileage during that 35.9-mile stretch on the Pinal Pioneer Parkway, as it is your best opportunity to maintain a steady cruising speed. Staying mindful of these logistical details will ensure your transit remains as smooth as possible.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.4 miles from Surprise, AZ, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 30 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.4 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catalina, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Surprise, 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 Surprise, AZ
This is one driving day of about 134.9 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Surprise, 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 Pinal Pioneer Parkway for about 35.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 67.4 mi from Surprise, AZ
· 1h 19m into the drive
The midpoint is around 67.4 miles from Surprise, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Catalina, AZ
The final approach into Catalina, 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 Catalina, 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
$26.87 one way
$53.75 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$28.44
$56.88
premium
$5.59
$29.69
$59.39
diesel
$5.61
$29.78
$59.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.5
0
$14.16
$6.48
Efficient EV
33.7
0
$11.80
$5.40
EV Truck/SUV
54
0
$18.89
$8.63
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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 as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Surprise, AZ
Afternoon
in Surprise on Wednesday
Local time
3:55 PM
MST
Current temp
80°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 to 15 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Blowing Dust Advisory
Blowing Dust Advisory issued April 13 at 1:17PM MST until April 13 at 7:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 7:45PM MST until April 13 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Destination
Catalina, AZ
Afternoon
in Catalina on Wednesday
Local time
3:55 PM
MST
Current temp
78°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SW 20 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Blowing Dust Advisory
Blowing Dust Advisory issued April 13 at 1:17PM MST until April 13 at 7:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 7:45PM MST until April 13 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
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
2h 45m 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 Surprise, AZ to Catalina, AZ covers 134.9 miles and takes about 2h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pinal Pioneer Parkway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Papago Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.4 miles from Surprise, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.87 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.
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 22 significant decision points across 134.9 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 0.5 miles (West Greenway Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 29.5 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Surprise, AZ and Catalina, AZ, road signs point toward Coolidge, Florence and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.
