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Trip from Tonto Basin, AZ to Glendale, AZ

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 5m

Distance

98.4 mi

158 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 56m ★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Tonto Basin, AZ, AZ

Tonto Basin, AZ

Zsolt Pujsz

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Glendale, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking from Tonto Basin, AZ, to Glendale, AZ, this 98.4-mile journey takes approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Beeline Highway, Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway, and Red Mountain Freeway, this route is best suited for a single-day trip. With a projected fuel cost of around $20, it offers an economical drive through the Desert Southwest region. You'll find this route is more of a turn-heavy local drive rather than a long, open highway, so plan accordingly. It's a straightforward trip that doesn't require an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

49.2 miles from Tonto Basin, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 5m. Total distance: 98.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

This drive presents a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll encounter more frequent directional changes than on a typical interstate. While only 15% of the route is on highways, the longest uninterrupted stretch measures 56.6 miles on the Beeline Highway. As you progress, expect a mix of road types, transitioning from potentially more open highway sections to more involved local road navigation. The drive's character is defined by its dynamic nature, keeping you engaged behind the wheel with its varied segments.

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.
Beeline Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 56.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 98.4 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 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 17.4 miles (AZ 87 / Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 86.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in

At end of road, turn right

Navigation decision point

6
17.4 mi into trip | ~26m in | AZ 87 / Beeline Highway

Turn left onto AZ 87 / Beeline Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
86.9 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Take the exit toward I 10 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 10 West
8
90.7 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 143C Toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue
6
91 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | North 19th Avenue

Turn right onto North 19th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Beeline Highway 56.6 mi 1h 5m
Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway 17.1 mi 24m
Red Mountain Freeway 12 mi 13m
Grand Avenue 7.1 mi 12m
Papago Freeway 2.3 mi 2m
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel 0.5 mi <1m
North Country Club Drive 0.5 mi <1m
North 19th Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Beeline Highway — 56.6 mi, about 1h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tonto Basin, AZ and Glendale, AZ.

1

Start on this road

0.2 mi · 59 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn right

0.2 mi · 1 min
3

At end of road, turn right onto AZ 188

17 mi · 24 min · Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway
4

Turn left onto AZ 87

57 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
5

Continue on AZ 87

0.5 mi · 47 sec · North Country Club Drive
6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
7

Merge onto AZ 202 Loop

12 mi · 13 min · Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Toward I 10 West Use the slight left lane.
9

Merge onto I 10

1.3 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
11

Continue on I 10

0.9 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Exit 143C Toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn right onto North 19th Avenue

0.3 mi · 35 sec · North 19th Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
14

Turn slight left onto Grand Avenue

7.1 mi · 12 min · Grand Avenue
Use the left / slight left lanes.
15

Arrive at destination

US 60

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour duration, this drive is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility for when you depart. Aim to leave in the morning to make the most of daylight hours. Since there are no designated stops mentioned, consider pulling over when you feel the need for a break, especially during the longer 56.6-mile stretch on the Beeline Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $20 for the 98.4 miles. A practical tip for this turn-heavy route is to familiarize yourself with your GPS or map beforehand to anticipate the upcoming turns.

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 49.2 miles from Tonto Basin, AZ, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 22 miles or 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 49.2 miles or 1h 3m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Tonto Basin, 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 Tonto Basin, AZ

This is one driving day of about 98.4 miles and 2h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Tonto Basin, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Beeline Highway for about 56.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 49.2 mi from Tonto Basin, AZ · 1h 3m into the drive

city in Pinal and Maricopa counties in Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Apache Junction, AZ

49 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

Payson, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fountain Hills, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.2 miles from Tonto Basin, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Glendale, AZ

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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Riverview Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 77.3

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14806442352

Visit website

Desert Dog Offroad Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 63.2

Fountain Hills, Arizona

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+14808373966

Visit website

Enchanted Island Amusement Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 91.3

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+16022541200

Visit website

Amusement Park Rides RandRrides(Phoenix Park & Swap)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 84.3

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: Closed

+14809958653

Visit website

Tempe Town Lake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 77.3

Tempe, Arizona

Arizona Science Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 91.3

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+16027162000

Visit website

Dorrance DOME

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 91.3

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

Tempe Festival of the Arts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 84.3

Tempe, Arizona

+14803556060

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Tonto National Monument

Tonto National Monument

National Monument

Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...

16 mi from route ~40 min detour $10
Caution: Construction Delays
Caution: Water is Required
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.60 one way

$39.21 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $20.75 $41.49
premium $5.59 $21.66 $43.32
diesel $5.61 $21.73 $43.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.5 0 $10.33 $4.72
Efficient EV 24.6 0 $8.61 $3.94
EV Truck/SUV 39.4 0 $13.78 $6.30

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (65% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Tonto Basin, AZ

Afternoon in Tonto Basin on Thursday

Local time

4:34 PM

MST

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Glendale, AZ

Afternoon in Glendale on Thursday

Local time

4:34 PM

MST

Current temp

92°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

8 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

2h 5m 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 Tonto Basin, AZ to Glendale, AZ covers 98.4 miles and takes about 2h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Beeline Highway, Claypool-Jakes Corner Highway, Red Mountain Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.2 miles from Tonto Basin, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.60 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 is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 98.4 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 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 17.4 miles (AZ 87 / Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 86.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tonto Basin, AZ to Glendale, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Plan the drive back the other way.

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