Chandler, AZ to Congress, AZ is 98.7 miles and takes about 2h 13m via Grand Avenue, Papago Freeway, and Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest, moving from the Phoenix metro area towards more open country. Expect a mix of urban and rural driving as you head northwest. Given its relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing ample time for your destination upon arrival.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.3 miles from Chandler, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Grand Avenue
27.4 mi
37m
Papago Freeway
15 mi
17m
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
9 mi
10m
Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi
10m
Wickenburg-Prescott Highway
7.4 mi
10m
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
5.9 mi
11m
Maricopa Freeway
4.9 mi
5m
Price Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Grand Avenue
— 27.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and Congress, 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 left at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·Papago Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.7 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
15
Continue on I 10
10 mi·12 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 133BToward AZ 101 Loop NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
8.8 mi·10 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 11Toward US 60Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto US 60
20 mi·28 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
159 ft·3 sec·Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
21
Continue on US 60
0.9 mi·1 min·Grand Avenue
22
Continue on US 60
0.2 mi·15 sec·Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
23
Continue on US 60
0.1 mi·8 sec·Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
24
Continue on US 60
6.3 mi·7 min·Grand Avenue
25
Continue on US 60
0.5 mi·31 sec·Phoenix-Wickenburg Highway
26
Continue on US 60
8.7 mi·10 min·Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
27
Continue on US 60
1.5 mi·2 min·East Wickenburg Way
28
Enter roundabout onto US 93
2 ft·0 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
29
Continue on US 93
1.2 mi·2 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.5 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
31
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.9 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
32
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.9 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
33
Enter roundabout onto US 93
100 ft·4 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
34
Continue on US 93
1.2 mi·2 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
35
Enter roundabout onto US 93
155 ft·6 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
36
Continue on US 93
0.6 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
37
Turn left onto US 93
112 ft·4 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
38
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.6 mi·46 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
39
Turn slight right onto AZ 89
0.8 mi·1 min·Wickenburg-Prescott Highway
40
Continue on AZ 89
2.5 mi·2 min·S STATE ROUTE 89
41
Continue on AZ 89
6.6 mi·9 min·Wickenburg-Prescott Highway
42
Turn left onto AZ 71
0.4 mi·59 sec·Aguila-Congress Junction Highway
Use the left lane.
43
Arrive at destination
AZ 71
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize your time at your destination. Since the total driving time is under 2.5 hours, you likely won't need to stop for a lengthy break, but it's always wise to stretch your legs once. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move away from larger towns; the estimated $18 fuel cost is a good baseline. A good tip for this route is to be aware of the transition from the Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway to Grand Avenue, as this marks a significant change in the driving environment.
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 49.3 miles from Chandler, AZ, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.4 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.3 miles or 1h 2m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Congress, 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 98.7 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Chandler, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Grand Avenue for about 27.4 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.3 and 43.7 — 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
7
34 mi into trip|~43m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
43.7 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward US 60
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward US 60
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.49 one way
$34.98 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$18.73
$37.46
premium
$5.04
$19.59
$39.18
diesel
$4.80
$18.64
$37.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.6
0
$10.36
$4.74
Efficient EV
24.7
0
$8.64
$3.95
EV Truck/SUV
39.5
0
$13.82
$6.32
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Chandler, AZ
Morning
in Chandler on Sunday
Local time
9:38 AM
MST
Current temp
82°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 5 to 10 mph34% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 15 at 7:37PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 15 at 7:34PM MST until July 15 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Congress, AZ
Morning
in Congress on Sunday
Local time
9:38 AM
MST
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 7 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 15 at 7:37PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 15 at 7:34PM MST until July 15 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix 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
2 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 13m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 98.7-mile route is about 41% highway. You'll encounter your longest stretch of continuous driving on Grand Avenue, covering 27.4 miles. The transition from freeway to surface roads will be noticeable as you leave the immediate Phoenix area. Be prepared for urban merging and then a shift to more open road cruising.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.4 mi on Grand Avenue.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 98.7 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
Gently rolling terrain
3,050 ft1,034 ft
Total Climb
2,051 ft
Total Descent
214 ft
Highest Point
3,050 ft
~98.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,016 ft
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 Chandler, AZ to Congress, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 98.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). 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 27.4 miles on Grand Avenue. 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 Congress, 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 — 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 Congress, AZ before heading back.
