Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Chandler, AZ to Morenci, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 10m
Distance
208 mi
335 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 57m
★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 20m
12 PM
5h 17m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 36m
8 PM
5h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chandler, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Morenci, AZ
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
Chandler to Morenci is 208 miles and takes about 5h 10m via Globe-Lordsburg Highway and US 191, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward drive between Arizona's desert landscapes. It's a single-day trip, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two points without needing an overnight stay. Consider this if you prefer a more direct path with minimal complexity.
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
104 miles from Chandler, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 71.2 mi | 1h 28m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 43 mi | 55m |
| US 191 | 23.7 mi | 28m |
| West 5th Street | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| Coronado Boulevard | 10.2 mi | 17m |
| Santan Freeway | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| Superstition Freeway | 8 mi | 9m |
| Coronado Trail | 6.3 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and Morenci, AZ.
1
Start on East Chandler Boulevard
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East Chandler Boulevard
2
Continue on East Williams Field Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East Williams Field Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Santan Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 30A
Toward US 60 East: Globe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto US 60
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Live Oak Street
9
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
10
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
11
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Oak Street
13
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Hill Street
14
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
15
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
70 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
17
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
18
Continue on US 70
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Thatcher Boulevard
19
Continue on US 70
11 mi
·
14 min
·
West 5th Street
20
Turn left onto US 191
24 mi
·
28 min
·
US 191
21
At end of road, turn straight
90 ft
·
2 sec
22
Turn left
82 ft
·
2 sec
23
Turn slight right onto US 191
10 mi
·
17 min
·
Coronado Boulevard
24
Continue on US 191 Temp
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Coronado Trail
25
Continue on US 191 Temp
4.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Coronado Trail
26
Turn sharp right
0.3 mi
·
2 min
27
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
2 min
28
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
3 min
29
Turn sharp left
0.5 mi
·
3 min
30
Turn left
1.2 mi
·
8 min
31
Turn sharp left
1.3 mi
·
8 min
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given this is a 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning from Chandler will give you plenty of daylight to reach Morenci. There's one recommended stop, so plan to take a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the total fuel cost is estimated at $41, it's wise to fill up before departing Chandler as you'll be on surface roads for a significant portion of the drive. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your departure time slightly if needed.
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 104 miles from Chandler, AZ, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 46 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104 miles or 2h 21m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morenci, 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 208 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Chandler, 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-Lordsburg Highway for about 71.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104 miles from Chandler, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Globe-Lordsburg Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 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
0.6 mi from route
Cobre Valley Center for the Arts
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Globe, Arizona
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19284250884
Visit websiteBesh-Ba-Gowah Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Globe, Arizona
Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm
+19284250320
Visit websiteBesh-Ba-Gowah Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Globe, Arizona
Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm
+19284250320
Visit websiteSignal Butte Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Mesa, Arizona
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+14806447529
Visit websiteBoyce Thompson Arboretum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.8 mi from route
~9 min detour
Superior, Arizona
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+15206892723
Visit websiteLegends of Superior Trails
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
5 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 5.9 and 75.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Turn left toward AZ 202 Loop East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
5
6.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
15.7 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward US 60 East: Globe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30A
Toward US 60 East: Globe
5
16.7 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
75.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.86 one way
$73.72 round trip
$4.50/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $39.47 | $78.94 |
| premium | $5.04 | $41.29 | $82.58 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.27 | $78.55 |
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: 72.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.84 | $9.98 |
| Efficient EV | 52 | 0 | $18.20 | $8.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.2 | 1 | $29.12 | $13.31 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Chandler, AZ
Late night in Chandler on Sunday
Local time
4:05 AM
MST
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
WNW 5 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:44PM PDT until July 18 at 7:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:30PM MST until July 18 at 6:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Destination
Morenci, AZ
Late night in Morenci on Sunday
Local time
4:05 AM
MST
Current temp
85°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 10 mph
23% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:44PM PDT until July 18 at 7:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:30PM MST until July 18 at 6:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff 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
11 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
5h 10m 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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 35.9
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$10
near mile 64.6
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 is mostly on surface roads, with only 22% of the route on highways. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 71.2 miles on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Expect a consistent, rural cruising feel for much of the trip, as the majority of your miles will be on non-interstate roads. This means you won't be dealing with dense highway exits or intense urban merging.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.2 mi on Globe-Lordsburg Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 208 miles you will encounter 17 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 5.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,069 ft
1,214 ft
Total Climb
6,391 ft
Total Descent
2,536 ft
Highest Point
5,069 ft
~208 mi in
Elevation Range
3,855 ft
Notable High Points
4,450 ft at ~59.4 miles
+1,028 ft prominence
4,647 ft at ~178.3 miles
+678 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Chandler, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1912
Chandler is a city in Arizona, and a medium-sized suburb of Phoenix with over 240,000 residents. It is a delightful place to visit.
Top landmarks
- • McCullough-Price House — 1938 pueblo revival home in Chandler, Arizona
- • San Marcos Hotel — Historic place in Chandler, Ariona
Arriving in Morenci, AZ
Full guide →Morenci is a copper-mining town in the Mogollon Rim in Eastern Arizona.
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 5h 10m. Total distance: 208 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.2 miles on Globe-Lordsburg Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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.
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 Morenci, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 6.3 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Morenci, AZ before the return drive.
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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