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Trip from East Sahuarita, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 30m

Distance

135.3 mi

218 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 21m ★
6 AM
2h 31m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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seat of Maricopa County, largest city in, and capital of, the State of Arizona, United States

Phoenix, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

East Sahuarita, AZ to Phoenix, AZ is 135.3 miles and takes about 2h 30m via Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, and Nogales–Tucson Highway, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive entirely within Arizona, connecting two points in the Desert Southwest. Expect a largely surface road experience, making it a relaxed pace for a single day trip. Given the relatively short duration and modest fuel cost, this route offers flexibility for departure times.

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

67.6 miles from East Sahuarita, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway 54.5 mi 55m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway 38.1 mi 38m
Nogales–Tucson Highway 16 mi 19m
Maricopa Freeway 13.9 mi 16m
South Freeway 5.4 mi 6m
East Sahuarita Road 3.3 mi 5m
South 7th Street 1.3 mi 2m
South Country Club Road 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Casa Grande-Tucson Highway — 54.5 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Sahuarita, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.

1

Start on East El Toro Road

316 ft · 10 sec · East El Toro Road
2

Turn right onto South Country Club Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Country Club Road
3

At end of road, turn left onto East Sahuarita Road

3.3 mi · 5 min · East Sahuarita Road
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 19 North: Tucson
5

Merge onto I 19

16 mi · 19 min · Nogales–Tucson Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
7

Merge onto I 10

5.4 mi · 6 min · South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 10

3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

51 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 10

38 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 10

12 mi · 13 min · Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 60

1.9 mi · 2 min · Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff Use the slight right lane.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 195B Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue Use the slight right lane.
14

Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway

134 ft · 2 sec · East Maricopa Freeway
15

Turn right onto South 7th Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · South 7th Street
Use the straight lane.
16

Turn left onto East Washington Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
17

Arrive at destination

West Washington Street

Trip Plan

For this 135.3-mile drive, leaving in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and take advantage of the 1-day recommended duration. With a total travel time of around 2 hours and 30 minutes, you can easily complete this trip without needing overnight stays. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the drive and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $27, and stations might be more spread out on the surface road sections. The longest stretch without a break is 54.5 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, so plan accordingly.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.6 miles from East Sahuarita, AZ, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 30 miles or 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 67.6 miles or 1h 17m 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 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving East Sahuarita, 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 East Sahuarita, AZ

This is one driving day of about 135.3 miles and 2h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from East Sahuarita, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

census designated place in Pinal County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Arizona City, AZ

68 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

Tortolita, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Arizona City, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.6 miles from East Sahuarita, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Rainforest Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tempe, Arizona

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 125.6

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14807529100

Visit website

Cafe Desta

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tucson, Arizona

2.8 mi

Rainforest Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 125.6

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14807529100

Visit website

Cafe Desta

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 19.3

Tucson, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15203707000

Visit website

Coronet Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 19.3

Tucson, Arizona

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+15204445243

Visit website

Sacaton Rest Area

0 mi from route

Sacaton Rest Area

0 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Pride Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Xpress Fuel Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.6 mi from route

Service Plaza

1 mi from route

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 125.6

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+14805657081

Visit website

Arizona Science Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 135.3

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+16027162000

Visit website

Dorrance DOME

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 135.3

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

Enchanted Island Amusement Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 135.3

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+16022541200

Visit website

Tempe Festival of the Arts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 125.6

Tempe, Arizona

+14803556060

Visit website

Villago Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 96.6

Casa Grande, Arizona

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+15204218600

Visit website

Tempe Town Lake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 125.6

Tempe, Arizona

Amusement Park Rides RandRrides(Phoenix Park & Swap)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 135.3

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: Closed

+14809958653

Visit website

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 1.1 and 134.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | East Sahuarita Road

At end of road, turn left onto East Sahuarita Road

Navigation decision point

6
30.5 mi into trip | ~39m in | I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
131.3 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in | US 60 / Maricopa Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
8
133.2 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in

Take the exit toward 7th Street, Central Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 195B Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
6
134.8 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in | East Washington Street

Turn left onto East Washington Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.95 one way

$53.91 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $28.52 $57.05
premium $5.59 $29.78 $59.56
diesel $5.61 $29.87 $59.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.6 0 $14.21 $6.49
Efficient EV 33.8 0 $11.84 $5.41
EV Truck/SUV 54.1 0 $18.94 $8.66

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (66% 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 19, 2026

Origin

East Sahuarita, AZ

Late night in East Sahuarita on Sunday

Local time

3:06 AM

MST

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Phoenix, AZ

Late night in Phoenix on Sunday

Local time

3:06 AM

MST

Current temp

93°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

8 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

2h 30m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly on surface roads, with highway sections making up only 14% of the total distance. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of 54.5 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. Expect to transition between these highways and surface roads, with a general feel of rural cruising rather than high-speed freeway travel. The numerous exits typical of surface roads will keep you engaged as you approach your destination.

Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.5 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 1.1 miles in near East Sahuarita Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 135.3 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 1.1 miles (East Sahuarita Road): Navigation decision point; at 30.5 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.3 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Phoenix, AZ

Full guide →

Founded 1868

Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona, the most populous city in the American Southwest. Warm and sunny winter weather have ensured a thriving tourism industry, and the city has become the region's primary political, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is extremely hot and dry in the summertime, so always have sunscreen with you! It had about 1,625,000 residents in 2021, and is the fifth largest city in the United States.

Top landmarks

  • • Arizona State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Arizona
  • • Phoenix Art Museum — art museum in Phoenix, Arizona
  • • St. Mary's Basilica — Roman Catholic church in Phoenix, 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 2h 30m. Total distance: 135.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.5 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 14 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 Phoenix, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (East Sahuarita Road): Navigation decision point; at 30.5 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.3 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Phoenix, AZ before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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