Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 52m
Distance
180.4 mi
290 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Taylor, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Glendale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
This 180.4-mile drive from Taylor, AZ to Glendale, AZ takes approximately 3 hours and 52 minutes and is best suited for a single day trip. You'll navigate through the Desert Southwest region, staying within Arizona for the entire journey. The route is estimated to cost around $36 in fuel and features a turn-heavy local drive feel, meaning you'll be making frequent adjustments. While it's a manageable distance for one day, consider that there's one recommended stop along the way to break up the journey. This route offers a practical way to travel between these two Arizona locations without requiring an overnight stay.
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
90.2 miles from Taylor, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 180.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive experience on this route, with only 18% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 73.1 miles on the South Beeline Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel. The majority of the drive will involve navigating local roads, indicated by the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile. This suggests a more engaging driving experience with frequent turns and varied road conditions rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. You'll likely experience a mix of speeds and road types as you transition between different sections.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 156.6 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 180.4 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 156.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 156.9 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward AZ 202 Loop West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto North 19th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Beeline Highway | 73.1 mi | 1h 26m |
| Payson-Show Low Highway | 24.2 mi | 30m |
| West 3rd Street North | 18.9 mi | 22m |
| Hwy 260 | 15.9 mi | 22m |
| Payson-Heber Highway | 12.7 mi | 17m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 12 mi | 13m |
| Grand Avenue | 7.1 mi | 12m |
| West Papermill Road | 6.2 mi | 9m |
Step-by-step road directions between Taylor, AZ and Glendale, AZ.
Start on AZ 77
Continue on AZ 77
Turn left onto West Papermill Road
Continue on Pulp Mill Road
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 277
Continue on AZ 277
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260
Continue on AZ 260
Continue on AZ 260
Continue on AZ 260
Turn left onto AZ 87
Continue on AZ 87
Take the exit
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
Take the exit
Merge onto I 10
Continue on I 10
Continue on I 10
Take the exit
Turn right onto North 19th Avenue
Turn slight left onto Grand Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 3-hour 52-minute duration, departing from Taylor, AZ in the morning allows ample time to reach Glendale, AZ without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically to coincide with the longest stretch on the South Beeline Highway. The $36 fuel cost is a reasonable budget for this 180.4-mile trip, but always check your fuel gauge, especially before heading into less populated areas. Keep in mind the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile means staying alert for frequent changes in direction, making early morning or late afternoon departures ideal to avoid peak local traffic.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 40 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.2 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Taylor, 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 Taylor, AZ
This is one driving day of about 180.4 miles and 3h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 90.2 mi from Taylor, AZ · 2h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 90.2 miles from Taylor, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.1 miles.
The final approach into Glendale, 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 Glendale, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$35.94 one way
$71.88 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $38.03 | $76.07 |
| premium | $5.59 | $39.71 | $79.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.83 | $79.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.1 | 0 | $18.94 | $8.66 |
| Efficient EV | 45.1 | 0 | $15.79 | $7.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.2 | 0 | $25.26 | $11.55 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Taylor on Friday
Local time
5:51 AM
MST
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Late night in Glendale on Friday
Local time
5:51 AM
MST
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
44°F
Payson, AZ
90 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
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.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Taylor, AZ or browse trips ending in Glendale, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
