Origin
Canyon Day, AZ
Night in Canyon Day on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
MST
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Canyon Day, AZ to Gilbert, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 32m
Distance
157.6 mi
254 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 20m
★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 43m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Canyon Day, AZ
Strange Happenings
Gilbert, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Canyon Day, AZ to Gilbert, AZ is 157.6 miles and takes about 3h 32m via Globe-Show Low Highway and Phoenix–Globe Highway, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive through the Desert Southwest will feel like a turn-heavy local exploration rather than a highway cruise. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's a straightforward trip. You'll be navigating primarily local roads and highways, so keep your attention focused on the road ahead.
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
78.8 miles from Canyon Day, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Show Low Highway | 62.5 mi | 1h 10m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 42.9 mi | 55m |
| South Chief Avenue | 23 mi | 40m |
| Superstition Freeway | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| South Gilbert Road | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| West Live Oak Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| North Broad Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Globe-Show Low Highway
— 62.5 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Canyon Day, AZ and Gilbert, AZ.
1
Start on West Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 73
23 mi
·
40 min
·
South Chief Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 60; AZ 77
62 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Globe-Show Low Highway
4
Turn right onto US 60
1.1 mi
·
2 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
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 182
Toward Gilbert Road
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto South Gilbert Road
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
South Gilbert Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
440 ft
·
21 sec
·
East Vaughn Avenue
16
Turn right onto North Elm Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Elm Street
17
Turn right
203 ft
·
14 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 32m duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one suggested stop and a moderate distance, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 62.5-mile stretch on the Globe-Show Low Highway, as fuel availability might be less frequent in certain sections.
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 78.8 miles from Canyon Day, AZ, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.5 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 35 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.8 miles or 1h 45m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gilbert, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Canyon Day, 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 Canyon Day, AZ
This is one driving day of about 157.6 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Canyon Day, 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 Globe-Show Low Highway for about 62.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.8 miles from Canyon Day, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Globe-Show Low Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 157.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
AZ 73 / South Chief Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 73 / South Chief Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
23.4 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
US 60; AZ 77 / Globe-Show Low Highway
At end of road, turn left onto US 60; AZ 77 / Globe-Show Low Highway
Navigation decision point
4
87.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
East Oak Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Navigation decision point
7
154.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward Gilbert Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 182
Toward Gilbert Road
5
157.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
|
North Elm Street
Turn right onto North Elm Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.40 one way
$62.79 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $33.23 | $66.45 |
| premium | $5.59 | $34.69 | $69.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.80 | $69.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.3 | 0 | $16.55 | $7.56 |
| Efficient EV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.79 | $6.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63 | 0 | $22.06 | $10.09 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Gilbert, AZ
Night in Gilbert on Saturday
Local time
9:21 PM
MST
Current temp
93°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
52 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 32m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only 13% of it on highways. Expect a dynamic driving experience that requires constant engagement, unlike a monotonous interstate journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 62.5 miles on the Globe-Show Low Highway. As you progress, the roads will likely transition between the main arteries and more local street navigation, especially as you approach Gilbert.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.5 mi on Globe-Show Low Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near AZ 73 / South Chief Avenue.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 32m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (AZ 73 / South Chief Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.4 miles (US 60; AZ 77 / Globe-Show Low Highway): Navigation decision point; at 87.3 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Arriving in Gilbert, AZ
Full guide →Gilbert is in the southeast valley of the Greater Phoenix region of Arizona. With a population of 270,000 (2021 est.) it is the largest town in the US. people. Once a railway town and the "Hay Capital of the World", Gilbert is now a diverse suburban center, retaining its agricultural and railroad history and celebrating its "small town" feel.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 157.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (13%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.5 miles on Globe-Show Low Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (AZ 73 / South Chief Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 23.4 miles (US 60; AZ 77 / Globe-Show Low Highway): Navigation decision point; at 87.3 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Gilbert, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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