Traveling from Catalina to Phoenix covers 107.9 miles of the Desert Southwest and typically takes about 1 hour and 53 minutes. Because this is a relatively short distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $21 on fuel for the journey, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. You will navigate primarily through local roads like North Elkins Road, Edwin Road, and Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard. Since this route avoids major interstates entirely, it offers a distinct alternative to the typical highway travel found throughout the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.8 miles from Catalina, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
35.9 mi
41m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
23.2 mi
23m
Maricopa Freeway
13.9 mi
16m
Florence-Coolidge Highway
8.1 mi
11m
Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
7 mi
9m
Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
7 mi
8m
South Pinal Parkway Avenue
5 mi
6m
Tucson-Globe Highway
3.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
— 35.9 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Catalina, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on East Pinto Place
491 ft·27 sec·East Pinto Place
2
Turn left onto North Elkins Road
0.4 mi·1 min·North Elkins Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Edwin Road
0.3 mi·43 sec·Edwin Road
4
Turn left onto Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
0.1 mi·28 sec·Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
5
Turn right onto AZ 77
3.2 mi·4 min·Tucson-Globe Highway
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto AZ 79; US 80 Hist
0.4 mi·28 sec·State Route 79
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
36 mi·41 min·Pinal Pioneer Parkway
8
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
5.0 mi·6 min·South Pinal Parkway Avenue
9
Turn left onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
0.6 mi·1 min·AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
10
Enter roundabout onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
119 ft·2 sec·AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
11
Continue on AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
407 ft·7 sec·AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist
12
Enter roundabout onto AZ 287
260 ft·4 sec·Florence-Coolidge Highway
13
Continue on AZ 287
8.1 mi·11 min·Florence-Coolidge Highway
14
Continue on AZ 87
7.0 mi·8 min·Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
15
Turn left onto AZ 387
6.9 mi·9 min·Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
16
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 387
520 ft·10 sec·Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
18
Merge onto I 10
23 mi·23 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 10
12 mi·13 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
1.9 mi·2 min·Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: FlagstaffUse the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 195BToward 7th Street, Central AvenueUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway
134 ft·2 sec·East Maricopa Freeway
23
Turn right onto South 7th Street
1.3 mi·2 min·South 7th Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 1-hour and 53-minute trek, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the route is short enough to drive in one go. Keep in mind that because you are utilizing local roads like Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard instead of major highways, traffic patterns may shift depending on the time of day. Ensure your gas tank is prepared for the $21 fuel cost before you head out, as local roads may offer fewer refueling options than an interstate corridor. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to double-check your GPS settings to ensure you are routed via the intended local roads, as navigation systems often default to faster highway alternatives.
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 53.8 miles from Catalina, AZ, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 24 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.8 miles or 1h 8m 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 47m
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 Catalina, 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 Catalina, AZ
This is one driving day of about 107.6 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Catalina, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pinal Pioneer Parkway for about 35.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 107.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~3m in|AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway
Turn right onto AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
4.1 mi into trip|~7m in|AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79
Turn left onto AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
103.6 mi into trip|~2h 4m 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
105.5 mi into trip|~2h 7m 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
107.1 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.44 one way
$42.87 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$22.68
$45.37
premium
$5.59
$23.68
$47.37
diesel
$5.61
$23.76
$47.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.3
0
$11.30
$5.16
Efficient EV
26.9
0
$9.42
$4.30
EV Truck/SUV
43
0
$15.06
$6.89
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Catalina, AZ
Night
in Catalina on Saturday
Local time
11:03 PM
MST
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Night
in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
11:03 PM
MST
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
W 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
89°F
Florence, AZ
54 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
7 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
2h 11m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. With a 0% highway share, you will spend the entire 107.9 miles navigating surface streets rather than cruising on high-speed interstates. The experience feels much more intimate than a standard commute, requiring you to navigate curves and local intersections consistently. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway stretches, the drive maintains a steady, technical pace from start to finish. Expect to stay engaged as the road winds through the desert landscape, providing a driving experience defined by its local character.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.9 mi on Pinal Pioneer Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pinal Pioneer Parkway and Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 107.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.9 miles (AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79): Lane positioning matters here; at 103.6 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona, the most populous city in the American Southwest. Warm and sunny winter weather have ensured a thriving tourism industry, and the city has become the region's primary political, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is extremely hot and dry in the summertime, so always have sunscreen with you! It had about 1,625,000 residents in 2021, and is the fifth largest city in the United States.
Top landmarks
•Arizona State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Arizona
•Phoenix Art Museum — art museum in Phoenix, Arizona
•St. Mary's Basilica — Roman Catholic church in Phoenix, Arizona
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 107.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.9 miles on Pinal Pioneer Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Phoenix, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (AZ 77 / Tucson-Globe Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79): Lane positioning matters here; at 103.6 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Saguaro National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Phoenix, AZ before heading back.
