This 249.3-mile journey from Eagar, AZ to Surprise, AZ will take you approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible day trip. You'll navigate a mix of roads, including the Globe-Show Low Highway and Main Street, with about 24% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $50. This route remains within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. While it's manageable in one day, consider the turn-heavy nature of the local roads when planning your departure.
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
124.7 miles from Eagar, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 28m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Eagar, AZ and Surprise, 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
27 mi·31 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
0.6 mi·38 sec·US 60
Toward I 10 North
17
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.9 mi·5 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·Papago Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.7 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
21
Continue on I 10
10 mi·12 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 133BToward AZ 101 Loop NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
8.8 mi·10 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 11Toward US 60Use the slight right lane.
25
Turn left onto US 60
4.7 mi·8 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
212 ft·10 sec·West Greenway Road
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
0.3 mi·32 sec·Santa Fe Drive
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto North Nash Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·North Nash Street
29
Arrive at destination
North Nash Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration and the turn-heavy profile, starting your drive from Eagar, AZ early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and minimize driving fatigue. With only one suggested stop and a manageable fuel cost of $50, flexibility is on your side. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between the main roads and local segments. A good tip is to fuel up before you leave Eagar, as the longest stretch of 83.5 miles on the Globe-Show Low Highway might not have many services.
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 124.7 miles from Eagar, AZ, or about 2h 28m 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 55 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.7 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surprise, 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 249.3 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 218.5 and 248.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
218.5 mi into trip|~4h 30m in|I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
220.4 mi into trip|~4h 32m in|I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
234.1 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
243.7 mi into trip|~4h 59m 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
7
248.8 mi into trip|~5h 8m in|Santa Fe Drive
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.66 one way
$99.33 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$52.56
$105.12
premium
$5.59
$54.88
$109.75
diesel
$5.61
$55.04
$110.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.8
0
$26.18
$11.97
Efficient EV
62.3
0
$21.81
$9.97
EV Truck/SUV
99.7
1
$34.90
$15.96
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Eagar, AZ
Evening
in Eagar on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
MST
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Surprise, AZ
Evening
in Surprise on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
MST
Current temp
88°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
51 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
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 172
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 146.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. While 24% of your journey will be on highways, much of the experience involves navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.5 miles along the Globe-Show Low Highway, offering a more continuous segment before you transition back to more varied driving. This profile suggests a drive where you'll be adjusting your speed and direction more frequently, requiring your attention.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 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?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 218.5 miles in near I 10 / Papago Freeway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 249.3 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 218.5 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.4 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 234.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Sun City is a suburb 20 miles (30km) northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was built as a planned retirement community in Maricopa County in the 1960s. An adjacent retirement community Sun City West was built in the late 1970s; there is also a Sun City Grand. Directly northwest of the three "Sun City" suburbs is Surprise, Arizona.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 249.3 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 83.5 miles on Globe-Show Low 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 Surprise, 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 218.5 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 220.4 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 234.1 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 Surprise, AZ before the return drive.
