Origin
Thatcher, AZ
Afternoon in Thatcher on Sunday
Local time
4:10 PM
MST
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Thatcher, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
3h 29m
Distance
161.7 mi
260 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 18m
★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 53m
8 PM
3h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Thatcher, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
Traveling from Thatcher to Phoenix covers approximately 161.9 miles through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect a drive time of roughly 2 hours and 50 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip. You will primarily navigate via the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, East Center Street, and East Ash Street. With an estimated fuel cost of about $32, it is a budget-friendly transit between these two Arizona locations. Since the entire trip takes less than three hours, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have extra time to explore. It is a straightforward route that moves you efficiently across the region.
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
80.8 miles from Thatcher, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features 0% highway travel. You will spend your time navigating local roads, which means you should prepare for a more hands-on experience behind the wheel. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, your pace will be dictated by local traffic and road geometry. The lack of highway miles gives the journey a grounded, regional feel as you transition between Thatcher and the Phoenix area. Staying alert through the frequent turns is key to navigating this 161.9-mile transit comfortably.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Center Street is the longest continuous segment at about 66.5 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 152.3 miles in near US 60.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 161.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 152.3 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 152.8 miles (I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.7 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
152.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
|
US 60
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward I 10 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 10 North
5
152.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
|
I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
157.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
|
US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
8
159.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
6
161.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Center Street | 66.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 42.9 mi | 55m |
| Superstition Freeway | 27.1 mi | 31m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| US 60 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
| East Ash Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| West Live Oak Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
East Center Street
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thatcher, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on US 70
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
2
Continue on US 70
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
3
Continue on US 70
66 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
East Center Street
4
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
5
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Hill Street
6
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Oak Street
7
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Broad Street
8
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
9
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
10
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Live Oak Street
11
Continue on US 60
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 60
Toward I 10 North
14
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Use the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Maricopa Freeway
18
Turn right onto South 7th Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South 7th Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Planning for at least one stop along the 161.9-mile path is a good way to break up the technical, turn-heavy sections. Before you head out, double-check your fuel levels, as the $32 estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Keep an eye on local road conditions, especially when transitioning between the Globe-Lordsburg Highway and the city streets in Phoenix. Taking a steady approach will make the 2-hour and 50-minute journey feel much more relaxed.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.8 miles from Thatcher, AZ, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.8 miles or 1h 47m 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 53m
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 Thatcher, 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 Thatcher, AZ
This is one driving day of about 161.7 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Thatcher, 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 East Center Street for about 66.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.8 mi from Thatcher, AZ · 1h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.8 miles from Thatcher, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East Center Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 miles.
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
$32.18 one way
$64.36 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $33.98 | $67.96 |
| premium | $5.59 | $35.57 | $71.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.92 | $71.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.98 | $7.76 |
| Efficient EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.15 | $6.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.7 | 0 | $22.64 | $10.35 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
4:10 PM
MST
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
55°F
Florence, AZ
81 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
13 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
3h 29m 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 Thatcher, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 161.7 miles and takes about 3h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Center Street, Phoenix–Globe Highway, Superstition Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.8 miles from Thatcher, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.18 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 161.7 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 152.3 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 152.8 miles (I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.7 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Thatcher, AZ to Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, AZ
More from Thatcher, AZ
More trips to Phoenix, AZ
Explore more options from Thatcher, AZ or browse trips ending in Phoenix, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Thatcher, AZ or Phoenix, AZ on MapSof.net.