Spanning 192 miles through the heart of the Desert Southwest, this trip from Deer Valley to Swift Trail Junction takes approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes behind the wheel. You will rely primarily on the Phoenix–Globe Highway, US 60, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway to navigate between these two Arizona points. Given the manageable duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $38 for fuel to complete the journey. It is a straightforward drive that connects the desert landscapes of central Arizona, providing a consistent, practical travel experience for anyone looking to cross the state efficiently.
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
96 miles from Deer Valley, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
71.2 mi
1h 28m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi
55m
US 60
31.9 mi
39m
Black Canyon Freeway
17.1 mi
19m
Maricopa Freeway
8.8 mi
10m
South 1st Avenue
7.3 mi
11m
West Thatcher Boulevard
2.3 mi
4m
East Ash Street
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Deer Valley, AZ and Swift Trail Junction, AZ.
1
Start on North 35th Avenue
37 ft·8 sec·North 35th Avenue
2
Turn left onto West Deer Valley Road
1.2 mi·2 min·West Deer Valley Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto North Black Canyon Highway
0.5 mi·55 sec·North Black Canyon Highway
4
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·47 sec·this road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 17
17 mi·19 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
6
Continue on I 17; US 60
8.8 mi·10 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 60
28 mi·32 min·US 60
Exit 154Toward US 60 East: Mesa, GlobeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·Live Oak Street
10
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
11
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
12
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·9 sec·East Oak Street
14
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·39 sec·South Hill Street
15
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi·4 min·East Ash Street
16
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi·1 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
70 mi·1 hr 27 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
18
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
19
Continue on US 70
2.3 mi·4 min·West Thatcher Boulevard
20
Continue on US 70
0.5 mi·1 min·West 5th Street
21
Turn right onto US 191
7.3 mi·11 min·South 1st Avenue
22
Turn left onto West Swift Trail
102 ft·3 sec·West Swift Trail
23
Arrive at destination
West Swift Trail
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip is simple since it only requires one planned stop, giving you plenty of flexibility to manage your schedule. Because the drive clocks in at just over four hours, aiming for an early morning departure is your best bet to avoid midday heat and traffic congestion. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting the 71.2-mile stretch on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, as this is your most isolated segment of the journey. Since you are staying within the same region, you won't need to worry about dramatic climate shifts, but always keep your vehicle's cooling system in mind when traveling through the Desert Southwest. Prioritize your single stop strategically to break up the drive and maintain your focus for the final approach to Swift Trail Junction.
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 96 miles from Deer Valley, AZ, or about 1h 57m 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 42 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96 miles or 1h 57m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Swift Trail Junction, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Deer Valley, 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 Deer Valley, AZ
This is one driving day of about 192 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Deer Valley, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 106.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West Deer Valley Road
Turn left onto West Deer Valley Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|North Black Canyon Highway
Turn right onto North Black Canyon Highway
Navigation decision point
5
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in|I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge onto I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
8
28.1 mi into trip|~33m in|US 60
Take the exit onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
5
106.3 mi into trip|~2h 15m in|North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.25 one way
$76.50 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$40.48
$80.96
premium
$5.59
$42.26
$84.53
diesel
$5.61
$42.39
$84.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.6
0
$20.16
$9.22
Efficient EV
48
0
$16.80
$7.68
EV Truck/SUV
76.8
0
$26.88
$12.29
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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 15, 2026
Origin
Deer Valley, AZ
Evening
in Deer Valley on Saturday
Local time
7:53 PM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Swift Trail Junction, AZ
Evening
in Swift Trail Junction on Saturday
Local time
7:53 PM
MST
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
34 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
4h 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This mixed drive offers a varied experience, as only 30% of your total mileage is spent on major highways. You should prepare for a transition between high-speed transit and more localized driving conditions as you move through the region. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 71.2-mile segment along the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, which will require your full attention during that portion of the trip. Because the road character shifts significantly, you will find that the pace of the drive remains engaging rather than monotonous. Adjusting your driving style to accommodate these changing road types will ensure a smoother arrival at your destination.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 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?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Deer Valley Road.
Driving Effort5/10
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 192 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (West Deer Valley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,245 ft1,163 ft
Total Climb
3,083 ft
Total Descent
1,587 ft
Highest Point
4,245 ft
~96 mi in
Elevation Range
3,083 ft
Notable High Points
4,245 ft at ~96 miles+547 ft prominence
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 Deer Valley, AZ to Swift Trail Junction, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Globe
28.1 mi in|~33m|via US 60
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 192 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (30%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
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.
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Deer Valley Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (I 17 / Black Canyon Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Swift Trail Junction, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
