Chandler to Big Park is 130.8 miles and takes about 2h 27m via Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, and Maricopa Freeway, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest, primarily in Arizona, offering a straightforward trip between two points in the same region. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, making it a manageable day trip. Given the relatively short distance and time, this route is ideal for a relaxed departure or a flexible schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
65.4 miles from Chandler, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway
50.2 mi
50m
Black Canyon Freeway
41.3 mi
45m
Maricopa Freeway
9.1 mi
10m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi
9m
Red Rock Scenic Byway
7.6 mi
11m
Price Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
Superstition Freeway
3.7 mi
4m
West Chandler Boulevard
3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 50.2 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and Big Park, AZ.
1
Start on East Chandler Boulevard
0.1 mi·41 sec·East Chandler Boulevard
2
Continue on East Chandler Boulevard
0.2 mi·17 sec·East Chandler Boulevard
3
Continue on West Chandler Boulevard
3.0 mi·5 min·West Chandler Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto South Price Road
321 ft·6 sec·South Price Road
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
6
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
4.8 mi·5 min·Price Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Exit 55A; 55BToward US 60 West, US 60 East: Phoenix, GlobeUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 55AToward US 60 West: PhoenixUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto US 60
3.7 mi·4 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
0.6 mi·38 sec·US 60
Toward I 10 North
11
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.9 mi·5 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
4.2 mi·4 min·Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: FlagstaffUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 17; US 60
41 mi·45 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
37 mi·36 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
17
Take the exit onto AZ 179
0.2 mi·26 sec·AZ 179
Exit 298Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
18
Turn left onto AZ 179
7.1 mi·10 min·Red Rock Scenic Byway
19
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
111 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
20
Continue on AZ 179
0.3 mi·36 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
21
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
92 ft·1 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
22
Continue on AZ 179
0.2 mi·22 sec·Red Rock Scenic Byway
23
Enter roundabout onto East Cortez Drive
26 ft·0 sec·East Cortez Drive
24
Continue on East Cortez Drive
116 ft·14 sec·East Cortez Drive
25
Turn left
67 ft·4 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 130.8-mile trip, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight, especially since it takes approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes. With a fuel cost estimate of $25, ensure your tank is full before you depart Chandler to avoid needing to stop for gas. Since this is a shorter drive and can easily be completed in one day, you have the flexibility to take your time. Pay attention to signage as you transition from the main freeways to Arizona Veterans Highway, as this is where the road type changes significantly.
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 65.4 miles from Chandler, AZ, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.2 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 29 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.4 miles or 1h 17m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Park, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chandler, 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 Chandler, AZ
This is one driving day of about 130.8 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Chandler, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 50.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 65.4 miles from Chandler, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 123.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.3 mi into trip|~6m in|South Price Road
Turn right onto South Price Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
8.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward US 60 West, US 60 East: Phoenix, Globe
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 55A; 55B
Toward US 60 West, US 60 East: Phoenix, Globe
8
8.6 mi into trip|~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 60 West: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 55A
Toward US 60 West: Phoenix
8
18.4 mi into trip|~25m 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
6
123.1 mi into trip|~2h 15m in|AZ 179
Take the exit onto AZ 179 toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 298
Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.35 one way
$50.70 round trip
$4.92/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.20
$26.79
$53.58
premium
$5.44
$28.00
$56.00
diesel
$5.60
$28.83
$57.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.2
0
$13.73
$6.28
Efficient EV
32.7
0
$11.45
$5.23
EV Truck/SUV
52.3
0
$18.31
$8.37
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Aug 27, 2026
Origin
Chandler, AZ
Afternoon
in Chandler on Saturday
Local time
1:23 PM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 26 at 2:21PM PDT until August 28 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 26 at 12:04PM MST until August 29 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Destination
Big Park, AZ
Afternoon
in Big Park on Saturday
Local time
1:23 PM
MST
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 9 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 26 at 2:21PM PDT until August 28 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued August 26 at 12:04PM MST until August 29 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
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
2h 27m 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.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$10
near mile 117.3
Caution: Visiting During Monsoon Season (July-September)
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
$10
near mile 126.3
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 45% highway driving, meaning you'll spend a significant portion on faster roads like the Black Canyon Freeway. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 50.2 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. As you transition from the freeway system, expect more surface road cruising. You'll notice the change from dense urban merging to a more open, less developed environment.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.2 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in near South Price Road.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 130.8 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 3.3 miles (South Price Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,490 ft1,125 ft
Total Climb
4,318 ft
Total Descent
1,463 ft
Highest Point
4,490 ft
~102.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,365 ft
Notable High Points
4,490 ft at ~102.8 miles+684 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chandler, AZ and Big Park, AZ, road signs point toward Globe, Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 130.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.2 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. 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 Big Park, 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 3.3 miles (South Price Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. 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 Big Park, AZ before heading back.
