Traveling from Chandler to Pima covers 144.7 miles across the Desert Southwest, typically requiring about 3 hours and 10 minutes of driving time. You will navigate a route primarily composed of the Santan Freeway, the Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Because the journey is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. With fuel costs estimated at $29, it remains an affordable trek through the Arizona landscape. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, this route offers a manageable pace for drivers who prefer to stay within a single state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72.4 miles from Chandler, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
66.3 mi
1h 21m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi
55m
Santan Freeway
9.4 mi
10m
Superstition Freeway
8 mi
9m
US 60
4 mi
7m
East Chandler Boulevard
3 mi
5m
East Williams Field Road
3 mi
5m
East Ash Street
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 66.3 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and Pima, 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 EastUse 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 30AToward US 60 East: GlobeUse 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
66 mi·1 hr 20 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
17
Turn left
190 ft·13 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is just over three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. While the route only requires one planned stop, use that break strategically to stretch your legs and refresh after the more technical turns. Keep a close eye on your fuel levels before heading out, as the $29 budget is a baseline estimate that can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, ensure your tires and brakes are in good condition before you leave Chandler. Embracing the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Pima without the fatigue associated with longer, cross-country hauls.
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 72.4 miles from Chandler, AZ, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.3 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 32 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.4 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pima, 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 144.7 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 66.3 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 10
5 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
$28.83 one way
$57.65 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$30.51
$61.01
premium
$5.59
$31.85
$63.70
diesel
$5.61
$31.95
$63.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.4
0
$15.19
$6.95
Efficient EV
36.2
0
$12.66
$5.79
EV Truck/SUV
57.9
0
$20.26
$9.26
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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 Apr 21, 2026
Origin
Chandler, AZ
Late night
in Chandler on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
MST
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pima, AZ
Late night
in Pima on Tuesday
Local time
3:56 AM
MST
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Miami, AZ
72 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
5 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
3h 10m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul, as highways account for only 15% of this 144.7-mile journey. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating local roads, which keeps the experience engaging and requires your full attention. The longest uninterrupted section spans 66.3 miles along the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, providing the most consistent driving rhythm of the trip. As you transition between these stretches, the road personality shifts from faster freeway segments to more technical maneuvers. Prepare yourself for a hands-on driving experience that demands alertness through the varied terrain of the Desert Southwest.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.3 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in.
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 144.7 miles you will encounter 10 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 144.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.3 miles on Globe-Lordsburg Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Pima, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Pima, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
