Cafe Mix 2
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Apache Junction, Arizona
Hours: 11 am–7 pm
+14809829486
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 4m
Distance
184.4 mi
297 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Canyon Day, AZ
Strange Happenings
Glendale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
This 184.7-mile drive from Canyon Day, AZ to Glendale, AZ will take approximately 3 hours and 32 minutes. As a single-day trip, it's quite manageable, especially given the relatively short duration. You'll be navigating on roads like South Chief Avenue and Globe-Show Low Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $37, it's an economical option for exploring the Desert Southwest. The route is characterized by frequent turns, making it more of a local driving experience than an open highway cruise. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
92.2 miles from Canyon Day, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Show Low Highway | 62.5 mi | 1h 10m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 42.9 mi | 55m |
| Superstition Freeway | 27.1 mi | 31m |
| South Chief Avenue | 23 mi | 40m |
| Grand Avenue | 7.1 mi | 12m |
| Papago Freeway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| US 60 | 4.5 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Canyon Day, AZ and Glendale, AZ.
Start on West Street
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 73
At end of road, turn left onto US 60; AZ 77
Turn right onto US 60
Turn right onto South Hill Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Turn right onto North Broad Street
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
Merge onto I 10; US 60
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
Keep slight left at fork 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
To make the most of this 3-hour and 32-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Canyon Day, AZ, to bypass any potential local traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of $37, flexibility is key. You have ample time to pause for a quick break or to simply enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. Pay close attention to the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile; be prepared for consistent navigation and potentially slower speeds through populated areas. This route is straightforward enough that you won't need to over-plan, but staying aware of your surroundings will enhance the experience.
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 41 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.2 miles or 2h 5m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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 184.4 miles and 4h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 92.2 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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Apache Junction, Arizona
Hours: 11 am–7 pm
+14809829486
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Mesa, Arizona
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+14805974467
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: Closed
+14809958653
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm
+16027162000
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Mesa, Arizona
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+14806447529
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Superior, Arizona
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+15206892723
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Mesa, Arizona
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+14806442352
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Globe, Arizona
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19284250884
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.4 and 177.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto US 60; AZ 77 / Globe-Show Low Highway
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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
Regular Gas
$36.73 one way
$73.47 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $38.88 | $77.75 |
| premium | $5.59 | $40.59 | $81.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.71 | $81.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.36 | $8.85 |
| Efficient EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.13 | $7.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.8 | 0 | $25.82 | $11.80 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Canyon Day on Saturday
Local time
7:48 PM
MST
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Glendale on Saturday
Local time
7:48 PM
MST
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
77°F
Miami, AZ
92 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this entire 184.7-mile journey, as indicated by the 0% highway share. The route involves navigating through various local roads, including South Chief Avenue and Globe-Show Low Highway, which means you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than settling into a long, straight stretch. While there's no longest uninterrupted stretch specified, the profile suggests a continuous engagement with the road and its turns. This drive is best suited for those who enjoy a more interactive driving experience with constant directional changes.
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 23.4 miles in near US 60; AZ 77 / Globe-Show Low Highway.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 184.4 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 23.4 miles (US 60; AZ 77 / Globe-Show Low Highway): Navigation decision point; at 170.6 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.6 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 184.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Canyon Day, AZ or browse trips ending in Glendale, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.