Spanning 117.5 miles across the Desert Southwest, this journey from Flowing Wells to Maryvale is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 2 hours and 8 minutes. Because the duration is quite manageable, it works perfectly as a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $23 for fuel to complete the transit comfortably. Navigating through the heart of Arizona, you will transition between these two communities using a combination of the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, and the Maricopa Freeway. Whether you are commuting or exploring, this route offers a practical connection between these two desert hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.7 miles from Flowing Wells, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
52.1 mi
52m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi
38m
Maricopa Freeway
12 mi
13m
Papago Freeway
9.5 mi
10m
North 51st Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
West Ruthrauff Road
1.1 mi
2m
North 55th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
West Indian School Road
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 52.1 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flowing Wells, AZ and Maryvale, AZ.
1
Start on this road
25 ft·1 sec·this road
2
Turn right
114 ft·11 sec
3
Turn right onto West Ruthrauff Road
45 ft·28 sec·West Ruthrauff Road
4
Continue on West Ruthrauff Road
1.1 mi·1 min·West Ruthrauff Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto North Casa Grande Highway
0.3 mi·33 sec·North Casa Grande Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 10 WestUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Merge onto I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi·51 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
12 mi·13 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·Papago Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.7 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
14
Continue on I 10
4.9 mi·5 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 139Toward 51st Avenue, 59th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto North 51st Avenue
2.2 mi·3 min·North 51st Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto West Indian School Road
0.5 mi·1 min·West Indian School Road
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto North 55th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North 55th Avenue
19
Continue on North 55th Avenue
169 ft·16 sec·North 55th Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
North 55th Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning to avoid peak traffic on the Maricopa Freeway is always a smart move. Because the entire route covers under 120 miles with zero mandatory stops listed, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to build in rest breaks. Keep your $23 fuel budget in mind before you head out, and ensure your tank is ready for the 2-hour-plus duration. Pay close attention to the signage when transitioning between the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway and the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway to ensure you stay on the correct path. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Maryvale with plenty of time left in your day for whatever activities you have planned.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.7 miles from Flowing Wells, AZ, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.1 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 26 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.7 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maryvale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Flowing Wells, 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 Flowing Wells, AZ
This is one driving day of about 117.5 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Flowing Wells, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 52.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 113.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 10 West
6
3 mi into trip|~5m 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.
6
103.9 mi into trip|~1h 49m 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
105.8 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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.
8
113.9 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward 51st Avenue, 59th 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 139
Toward 51st Avenue, 59th Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.41 one way
$46.81 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$24.77
$49.54
premium
$5.59
$25.86
$51.73
diesel
$5.61
$25.94
$51.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.3
0
$12.34
$5.64
Efficient EV
29.4
0
$10.28
$4.70
EV Truck/SUV
47
0
$16.45
$7.52
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 15, 2026
Origin
Flowing Wells, AZ
Evening
in Flowing Wells on Saturday
Local time
7:52 PM
MST
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Maryvale, AZ
Evening
in Maryvale on Saturday
Local time
7:52 PM
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
4 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 8m 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.
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 60.8
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...
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 as you make your way through the region. With only 18% of your journey spent on highways, the experience feels more grounded in local transit than a high-speed interstate cruise. You will tackle your longest uninterrupted portion early on, covering 52.1 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. As you transition between the various main roads, the character of the drive shifts from regional highway stretches to more localized navigation. Keep your focus sharp, as the frequent turns require more active attention than a standard, monotonous freeway slog.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.1 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson 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 1.5 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 117.5 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 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.9 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 117.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.1 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Maryvale, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.9 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Saguaro National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Maryvale, AZ before heading back.
