Fortuna Foothills, AZ to Peoria, AZ is 169.6 miles and takes about 3 hours 12 minutes via Blue Star Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest, offering a straightforward drive between two locations in the same state. Expect a single-day journey that requires just one planned stop, making it a convenient option for a quick transit. The route is primarily on state highways, so it's not a high-speed interstate experience but a more direct path. Consider this if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground within this region without significant detours.
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
84.8 miles from Fortuna Foothills, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
99.7 mi
1h 42m
Arizona State Highway 85
28.1 mi
32m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
11.7 mi
12m
Papago Freeway
8.1 mi
9m
Agua Fria Freeway
7.9 mi
9m
South Oglesby Road
3.7 mi
5m
East Pima Street
3.3 mi
6m
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 99.7 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fortuna Foothills, AZ and Peoria, AZ.
1
Start on South Sheryl Drive
0.1 mi·31 sec·South Sheryl Drive
2
At end of road, turn left onto East 40th Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·East 40th Street
3
Turn left onto South Foothills Boulevard
0.9 mi·1 min·South Foothills Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
5
Merge onto I 8
100 mi·1 hr 42 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit onto I 8 Business
0.2 mi·29 sec·I 8 Business
Toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
7
Continue on I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
3.3 mi·6 min·East Pima Street
Toward AZ-85: Phoenix, Gilda Bend
8
Continue on AZ 85
0.7 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
9
Turn left onto AZ 85
0.3 mi·44 sec·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on AZ 85
28 mi·32 min·Arizona State Highway 85
11
Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist
1.0 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
12
Continue on AZ 85
3.7 mi·5 min·South Oglesby Road
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: PhoenixUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 10
12 mi·12 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 10
8.1 mi·9 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 133BUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
7.9 mi·9 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 10Toward Peoria AvenueUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto West Peoria Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·West Peoria Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto North 85th Avenue
193 ft·10 sec·North 85th Avenue
21
Turn left onto West Washington Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·West Washington Street
22
Turn left onto North 83rd Avenue
77 ft·2 sec·North 83rd Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
North 83rd Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 12 minute duration, starting your drive in Fortuna Foothills, AZ, in the morning allows ample time to reach Peoria, AZ, before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $34, you can plan your breaks strategically. The longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 100 miles, so consider refueling before embarking on that segment. Pay attention to signage for the Blue Star Memorial Highway, Arizona State Highway 85, and Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway to ensure you're following the correct path. This is a manageable one-day trip, so you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your preference.
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 84.8 miles from Fortuna Foothills, AZ, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.7 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 37 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.8 miles or 1h 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 2h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Peoria, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fortuna Foothills, 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 Fortuna Foothills, AZ
This is one driving day of about 169.6 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Fortuna Foothills, 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 Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 99.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 168.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East 40th Street
At end of road, turn left onto East 40th Street
Navigation decision point
7
138.5 mi into trip|~2h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
6
159 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133B
7
168 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward Peoria Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10
Toward Peoria Avenue
6
168.3 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|West Peoria Avenue
Turn right onto West Peoria Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.79 one way
$67.57 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$35.76
$71.51
premium
$5.59
$37.33
$74.66
diesel
$5.61
$37.45
$74.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.9
0
$17.81
$8.14
Efficient EV
42.4
0
$14.84
$6.78
EV Truck/SUV
67.8
0
$23.74
$10.85
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Fortuna Foothills, AZ
Late night
in Fortuna Foothills on Sunday
Local time
12:31 AM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Peoria, AZ
Late night
in Peoria on Sunday
Local time
12:31 AM
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
29 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
3h 12m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, with 26% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 99.7 miles on the Blue Star Memorial Highway, which will likely be the most continuous part of your drive. The remaining portions will involve navigating Arizona State Highway 85 and Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, suggesting a mix of highway speeds and more local road conditions. Be prepared for frequent changes in speed and road type as you transition between these named routes. It's a drive that keeps you engaged with the changing landscape and road conditions.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.7 mi on Blue Star Memorial 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 0.1 miles in near East 40th Street.
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 14 significant decision points across 169.6 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 0.1 miles (East 40th Street): Navigation decision point; at 138.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 159 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fortuna Foothills, AZ and Peoria, AZ, road signs point toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo and Gilda Bend.
Peoria is a city inside of Phoenix, Arizona. Many visitors come to the area during the spring to see their favorite professional baseball team during Spring Training in the Cactus League.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 169.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.7 miles on Blue Star Memorial 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 Peoria, 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 0.1 miles (East 40th Street): Navigation decision point; at 138.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 159 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Peoria, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
