Salt River Canyon Rest Area
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Trip from Eagar, AZ to Gilbert, 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
4h 18m
Distance
205.5 mi
331 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 5m
★
6 AM
4h 19m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eagar, AZ
András Nyemczovszky
Gilbert, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Eagar, AZ to Gilbert, AZ is 205.5 miles and takes about 4h 18m via Globe-Show Low Highway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will take you through the Desert Southwest region, staying within Arizona for the entire journey. Expect a route with frequent turns, making it more of a local exploration than a straight-line dash. Given the relatively short duration and the nature of the drive, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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
102.7 miles from Eagar, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Show Low Highway | 83.5 mi | 1h 35m |
| Main Street | 45.3 mi | 53m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 42.9 mi | 55m |
| Superstition Freeway | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| East Deuce of Clubs | 4.7 mi | 9m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| South Gilbert Road | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| West Live Oak Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Globe-Show Low Highway
— 83.5 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eagar, AZ and Gilbert, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 260
239 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Central Avenue
2
Turn left onto Main Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on South Mountain Avenue
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Mountain Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 60; US 180; US 191
44 mi
·
51 min
·
Main Street
5
Continue on US 60
4.7 mi
·
9 min
·
East Deuce of Clubs
6
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
83 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Globe-Show Low Highway
7
Turn right onto US 60
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Ash Street
8
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Hill Street
9
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Oak Street
10
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Broad Street
11
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
12
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
13
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Live Oak Street
14
Continue on US 60
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 182
Toward Gilbert Road
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto South Gilbert Road
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
South Gilbert Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
440 ft
·
21 sec
·
East Vaughn Avenue
19
Turn right onto North Elm Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Elm Street
20
Turn right
203 ft
·
14 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 18-minute drive, leaving Eagar in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the route. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to take breaks as needed, perhaps when you notice fuel is getting low, as the estimated fuel cost is $41. Pay close attention to signage as you transition between Globe-Show Low Highway, Main Street, and Phoenix–Globe Highway, as frequent turns require constant awareness. Since this is a single-day trip, you can afford to be spontaneous with your stops along the way.
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 102.7 miles from Eagar, AZ, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.5 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 45 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.7 miles or 2h 3m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gilbert, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Eagar, 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 Eagar, AZ
This is one driving day of about 205.5 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Eagar, 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-Show Low Highway for about 83.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.7 miles from Eagar, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Globe-Show Low Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.5 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 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 205.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Main Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 60; US 180; US 191 / Main Street
Turn left onto US 60; US 180; US 191 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
135.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
|
East Oak Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Navigation decision point
7
202.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward Gilbert Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 182
Toward Gilbert Road
5
205.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 17m in
|
North Elm Street
Turn right onto North Elm Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.42 one way
$72.83 round trip
$4.50/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $39.00 | $77.99 |
| premium | $5.04 | $40.79 | $81.59 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.80 | $77.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 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 | 61.7 | 0 | $21.58 | $9.86 |
| Efficient EV | 51.4 | 0 | $17.98 | $8.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.2 | 1 | $28.77 | $13.15 |
Gas CO2
72 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
Eagar, AZ
Late night in Eagar on Sunday
Local time
1:19 AM
MST
Current temp
56°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 0 to 3 mph
64% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:23PM PDT until July 18 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
Destination
Gilbert, AZ
Late night in Gilbert on Sunday
Local time
1:19 AM
MST
Current temp
79°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNE 0 to 5 mph
19% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:23PM PDT until July 18 at 8:30PM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
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
23 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 18m 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.
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
$10
near mile 148.8
Caution: Water is Required
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 177.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with only about 10% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a mix of Main Street and the Phoenix–Globe Highway, suggesting a progression through towns and potentially more varied road conditions. The longest continuous stretch you'll navigate is 83.5 miles on the Globe-Show Low Highway, offering a decent segment of less interrupted driving before you need to be more attentive to navigation. Prepare for a drive where staying alert to upcoming turns is key.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.5 mi on Globe-Show Low Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Main Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 18m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (US 60; US 180; US 191 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 135.2 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,322 ft
1,236 ft
Total Climb
1,137 ft
Total Descent
6,990 ft
Highest Point
7,322 ft
~14.7 mi in
Elevation Range
6,085 ft
Notable High Points
7,322 ft at ~14.7 miles
+232 ft prominence
5,216 ft at ~102.7 miles
+423 ft prominence
4,289 ft at ~146.8 miles
+482 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Eagar, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1871
Top landmarks
- • Eagar School — USA NRHP building
- • Eagar Townsite Historic District — section of the town of Eagar, Arizona
Arriving in Gilbert, AZ
Full guide →Gilbert is in the southeast valley of the Greater Phoenix region of Arizona. With a population of 270,000 (2021 est.) it is the largest town in the US. people. Once a railway town and the "Hay Capital of the World", Gilbert is now a diverse suburban center, retaining its agricultural and railroad history and celebrating its "small town" feel.
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 4h 18m. Total distance: 205.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (10%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.5 miles on Globe-Show Low Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
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 (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles (US 60; US 180; US 191 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 135.2 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Tonto National Monument and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Gilbert, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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