Salt River Canyon Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Casa Grande, AZ to Snowflake, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 13m
Distance
192.9 mi
310 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 1m
★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 40m
10 AM
4h 23m
12 PM
4h 20m
3 PM
4h 24m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Casa Grande, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Snowflake, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Casa Grande, AZ to Snowflake, AZ is 192.9 miles and takes about 4h 13m via Globe-Show Low Highway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Desert Southwest region, moving from one desert environment to another. You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate drive. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day of travel.
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
96.4 miles from Casa Grande, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Show Low Highway | 83.5 mi | 1h 35m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 29.7 mi | 38m |
| North Pinal Parkway | 15.6 mi | 19m |
| Show Low-Holbrook Highway | 12.5 mi | 15m |
| Florence-Coolidge Highway | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| North Pinal Avenue | 7.9 mi | 13m |
| Junction I-10-Mesa Highway | 7 mi | 8m |
| AZ 387 | 6.9 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Globe-Show Low Highway
— 83.5 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Casa Grande, AZ and Snowflake, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 287
33 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Gila Bend Highway
2
Turn left onto AZ 387
7.9 mi
·
13 min
·
North Pinal Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on AZ 387
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
State Route 387
4
Continue on AZ 387
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
5
Turn right onto AZ 387
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
AZ 387
6
Turn right onto AZ 87
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
7
Continue on AZ 287
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Florence-Coolidge Highway
8
Enter roundabout onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
187 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Main Street
9
Continue on AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
10
Turn right onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Butte Avenue
11
Turn left onto AZ 79; US 80 Hist
16 mi
·
19 min
·
North Pinal Parkway
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Oracle Junction–Florence Highway
13
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 60 East: Superior, Globe
14
Merge onto US 60
30 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Live Oak Street
16
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
17
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
18
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Oak Street
20
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Hill Street
21
Turn left onto US 60
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Ash Street
22
Turn left onto US 60; AZ 77
83 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Globe-Show Low Highway
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
3.0 mi
·
6 min
·
West Deuce of Clubs
24
Turn left onto AZ 77
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
North Penrod Road
25
Continue on AZ 77
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Show Low-Holbrook Highway
26
Continue on AZ 77
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
South Main Street
27
Continue on AZ 77
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Show Low-Holbrook Highway
28
Continue on AZ 77
2.4 mi
·
5 min
·
South Main Street
29
Turn right onto East 3rd Street North
157 ft
·
3 sec
·
East 3rd Street North
30
Arrive at destination
East 3rd Street North
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 13m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Casa Grande, AZ, in the morning will allow ample time to reach Snowflake, AZ, well before dark. Plan for one stop to break up the journey, perhaps around the halfway point. The route is mostly surface roads, so keep an eye out for changing speed limits and potential agricultural or wildlife crossings, especially as you get closer to Snowflake. With a fuel cost estimated at $38, ensure your tank is full before departing Casa Grande, as service station availability might be less frequent on the surface road portions.
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 96.4 miles from Casa Grande, AZ, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.5 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 42 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.4 miles or 2h 16m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Snowflake, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Casa Grande, 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 Casa Grande, AZ
This is one driving day of about 192.9 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Casa Grande, 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 83.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.4 miles from Casa Grande, 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 83.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Sacaton Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Cobre Valley Center for the Arts
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Globe, Arizona
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19284250884
Visit websiteBoyce Thompson Arboretum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Superior, Arizona
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+15206892723
Visit websitePinal County Historical Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Florence, Arizona
Hours: 11 am–4 pm
+15208684382
Visit websiteBesh-Ba-Gowah Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Globe, Arizona
Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm
+19284250320
Visit websiteBesh-Ba-Gowah Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Globe, Arizona
Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm
+19284250320
Visit websiteLegends of Superior Trails
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Superior, Arizona
Hours: Open 24 hours
+16029359034
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 48.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AZ 387 / North Pinal Avenue
Turn left onto AZ 387 / North Pinal Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
30.8 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist / South Main Street
Enter roundabout onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist / South Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
32.1 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
AZ 79; US 80 Hist / North Pinal Parkway
Turn left onto AZ 79; US 80 Hist / North Pinal Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
47.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the ramp toward US 60 East: Superior, Globe
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 60 East: Superior, Globe
5
48.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
US 60 / Phoenix–Globe Highway
Merge onto US 60 / Phoenix–Globe Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.39 one way
$78.79 round trip
$5.19/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.52 | $41.91 | $83.81 |
| premium | $5.72 | $43.43 | $86.87 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $40.63 | $81.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.25 | $9.26 |
| Efficient EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.88 | $7.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.2 | 0 | $27.01 | $12.35 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Casa Grande, AZ
Afternoon in Casa Grande on Wednesday
Local time
12:53 PM
MST
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Snowflake, AZ
Afternoon in Snowflake on Wednesday
Local time
12:53 PM
MST
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
SW 13 mph
0% chance
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
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 13m on the road
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
National Monument
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 20
View on nps.gov
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
$10
near mile 73.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive primarily consists of surface roads, with only 18% of the 192.9 miles on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 83.5 miles on the Globe-Show Low Highway, indicating significant segments of open road. Expect to transition from highway driving to surface roads relatively early in the trip. The predominantly surface road profile suggests a more rural and less exit-dense experience compared to major interstates.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.5 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 early in the drive near AZ 387 / North Pinal 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 4h 13m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AZ 387 / North Pinal Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.8 miles (AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist / South Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.1 miles (AZ 79; US 80 Hist / North Pinal Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
6,287 ft
1,396 ft
Total Climb
8,080 ft
Total Descent
3,894 ft
Highest Point
6,287 ft
~179.1 mi in
Elevation Range
4,891 ft
Notable High Points
4,291 ft at ~68.9 miles
+903 ft prominence
5,603 ft at ~110.2 miles
+798 ft prominence
5,536 ft at ~137.8 miles
+492 ft prominence
6,287 ft at ~179.1 miles
+50 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Casa Grande, AZ to Snowflake, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Globe
47.8 mi in
|
~1h 7m
About the Cities
Starting in Casa Grande, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1879
Casa Grande is a city in South Central Arizona that is largely a commuter town for people working in Tucson or Phoenix. It was the site of an internment camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II, and has played a prominent role in baseball in the United States.
Top landmarks
- • Casa Grande Stone Church — church in Casa Grande, Arizona
- • Saint Anthony's Church — Historic church building in Casa Grande, Arizona, United States of America
- • Casa Grande Woman's Club Building — historic clubhouse in Casa Grande, Arizona, USA
Arriving in Snowflake, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1878
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 4h 13m. Total distance: 192.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (18%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.5 miles on Globe-Show Low Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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: near the start (AZ 387 / North Pinal Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.8 miles (AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist / South Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.1 miles (AZ 79; US 80 Hist / North Pinal Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Snowflake, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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