Origin
Gila Bend, AZ
Afternoon in Gila Bend on Sunday
Local time
1:21 PM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gila Bend, AZ to Chandler, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 36m
Distance
65.3 mi
105 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 51m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 40m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gila Bend, AZ
Irina Balashova
Chandler, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Gila Bend, AZ to Chandler, AZ is 65.3 miles and takes about 1h 36m via Maricopa Road, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest region, traversing Arizona for its entirety. Expect a local feel rather than a major interstate experience, making it a good option for a relaxed, shorter trip. With a recommended single day for completion, you'll have plenty of time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.7 miles from Gila Bend, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maricopa Road | 49.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| West Queen Creek Road | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| South Dobson Road | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| West Chandler Boulevard | 2 mi | 3m |
| West Smith Enke Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| North John Wayne Parkway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Pima Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Maricopa Road
— 49.5 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gila Bend, AZ and Chandler, AZ.
1
Start on North Martin Avenue
169 ft
·
15 sec
·
North Martin Avenue
2
Turn left onto I 8 Bus; AZ 85; US 80 Hist
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Pima Street
3
Continue on AZ 85
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
4
Turn straight onto Maricopa Road
38 mi
·
54 min
·
Maricopa Road
5
Continue on AZ 238
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Smith Enke Road
6
Turn left onto AZ 347
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North John Wayne Parkway
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on AZ 347
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Maricopa Road
8
Continue on AZ 347
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
West Queen Creek Road
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto South Dobson Road
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
South Dobson Road
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto West Chandler Boulevard
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Chandler Boulevard
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on East Chandler Boulevard
94 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Chandler Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
East Chandler Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 36 minutes, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, as there's no need to rush. While the longest stretch is nearly 50 miles, the overall drive is broken up by local roads, so you won't go too long without potential services. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before starting, as the estimated cost is $13. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the sequence of Maricopa Road, West Queen Creek Road, and South Dobson Road beforehand to anticipate the turns.
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 32.7 miles from Gila Bend, AZ, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.5 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 14 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.7 miles or 49m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chandler, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gila Bend, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gila Bend, AZ
This is one driving day of about 65.3 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Gila Bend, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Maricopa Road for about 49.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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
First break window
Fuel and coffeeA short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.7 miles from Gila Bend, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
4 of 44 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 63.3 — 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
|
I 8 Bus; AZ 85; US 80 Hist / East Pima Street
Turn left onto I 8 Bus; AZ 85; US 80 Hist / East Pima Street
Navigation decision point
4
41.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
AZ 347 / North John Wayne Parkway
Turn left onto AZ 347 / North John Wayne Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
60.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
South Dobson Road
Turn left onto South Dobson Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
63.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
West Chandler Boulevard
Turn right onto West Chandler Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.01 one way
$26.02 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $13.77 | $27.53 |
| premium | $5.59 | $14.37 | $28.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.42 | $28.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.86 | $3.13 |
| Efficient EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.71 | $2.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.14 | $4.18 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Chandler, AZ
Afternoon in Chandler on Sunday
Local time
1:21 PM
MST
Current temp
89°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
1 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
1h 36m 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 route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll navigate through various local roads rather than long stretches of highway. While the highway share is low at 2%, the longest uninterrupted segment you’ll experience is 49.5 miles on Maricopa Road. You'll primarily follow Maricopa Road, West Queen Creek Road, and South Dobson Road. Be prepared for frequent turns and potentially slower speeds as you transition between these local thoroughfares.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.5 mi on Maricopa Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 8 Bus; AZ 85; US 80 Hist / East Pima Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Gila Bend, AZ to Chandler, AZ is easy. At 1h 36m with 2% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 8 Bus; AZ 85; US 80 Hist / East Pima Street): Navigation decision point; at 41.4 miles (AZ 347 / North John Wayne Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 60.1 miles (South Dobson Road): Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Chandler, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1912
Chandler is a city in Arizona, and a medium-sized suburb of Phoenix with over 240,000 residents. It is a delightful place to visit.
Top landmarks
- • McCullough-Price House — 1938 pueblo revival home in Chandler, Arizona
- • San Marcos Hotel — Historic place in Chandler, Ariona
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 1h 36m. Total distance: 65.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (2%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.5 miles on Maricopa Road. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 8 Bus; AZ 85; US 80 Hist / East Pima Street): Navigation decision point; at 41.4 miles (AZ 347 / North John Wayne Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 60.1 miles (South Dobson Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Chandler, 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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