Origin
Gila Bend, AZ
Morning in Gila Bend on Tuesday
Local time
9:58 AM
MST
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gila Bend, AZ to Gilbert, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
72.1 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
9 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gila Bend, AZ
Irina Balashova
Gilbert, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Gila Bend, AZ to Gilbert, AZ is 72.1 miles and takes about 1h 46m via Maricopa Road, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest, primarily traversing Arizona. Expect a route that largely utilizes surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the landscape compared to interstate travel. With no scheduled stops and a relatively short duration, this drive is well-suited for a same-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.1 miles from Gila Bend, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maricopa Road | 49.5 mi | 1h 8m |
| West Queen Creek Road | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| South Gilbert Road | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| Santan Freeway | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| West Smith Enke Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South Dobson Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North John Wayne Parkway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Pima Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
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 Gilbert, 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
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Dobson Road
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Santan Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 44
Toward Gilbert Road
13
Turn left onto South Gilbert Road
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Gilbert Road
14
Turn right onto East Cullumber Avenue
436 ft
·
21 sec
·
East Cullumber Avenue
15
Turn right onto North Elm Street
244 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Elm Street
16
Turn right
203 ft
·
14 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 46m estimated drive time, leaving anytime in the morning or early afternoon should allow you to reach Gilbert, AZ well before evening. Since this is a single-day trip with no designated stops, you have the flexibility to depart when convenient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $14, and it's always wise to top off before setting out, especially since a significant portion is on surface roads where fuel stops might be less frequent than on an interstate. A good tip for this route is to be aware of potential local traffic patterns on Maricopa Road as you get closer to Gilbert.
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 36.1 miles from Gila Bend, AZ, or about 54m 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 16 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.1 miles or 54m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gilbert, 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 72.1 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 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
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.1 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
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 72.1 — 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
6
62 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Take the ramp toward AZ 202 Loop East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
5
62.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
66.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward Gilbert Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 44
Toward Gilbert Road
5
72.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
North Elm Street
Turn right onto North Elm Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.36 one way
$28.73 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $15.20 | $30.40 |
| premium | $5.59 | $15.87 | $31.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.92 | $31.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
9 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Carl's Jr. - Gila Bend - Tesla Supercharger
Gila Bend, AZ
Tesla
16 DCFC
Hamstra Square
Chandler, AZ
Tesla
16 DCFC
Chandler Pavillions - Tesla Supercharger
Chandler, AZ
Tesla
12 DCFC
The Park at San Tan - Tesla Supercharger
Chandler, AZ
Tesla
12 DCFC
Gila Bend, AZ
Gila Bend, AZ
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE
6 DCFC
Phoenix Premium Outlets (Chandler, AZ)
Chandler, AZ
Electrify America
4 DCFC
Earnhardt Ford Sales
Chandler, AZ
FORD_CHARGE
4 DCFC
Kroger Frys 69 (Chandler, AZ)
Chandler, AZ
Electrify America
4 DCFC
Tesla: 4
Electrify America: 2
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1
FORD_CHARGE: 1
eVgo Network: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.57 | $3.46 |
| Efficient EV | 18 | 0 | $6.31 | $2.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.09 | $4.61 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Gilbert, AZ
Morning in Gilbert on Tuesday
Local time
9:58 AM
MST
Current temp
84°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
27 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 46m 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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
near mile 67.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly surface roads, with only about 8% on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 49.5 miles on Maricopa Road, which forms the backbone of this drive. As you transition from any highway sections, be prepared for surface road conditions, likely involving more local traffic and intersections. The majority of this drive will feel like cruising through communities rather than high-speed travel.
Only 8% 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: 49.5 mi on Maricopa Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 8 Bus; AZ 85; US 80 Hist / East Pima Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 46m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 62 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 62.4 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Gilbert, AZ
Full guide →Gilbert is in the southeast valley of the Greater Phoenix region of Arizona. With a population of 270,000 (2021 est.) it is the largest town in the US. people. Once a railway town and the "Hay Capital of the World", Gilbert is now a diverse suburban center, retaining its agricultural and railroad history and celebrating its "small town" feel.
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 46m. Total distance: 72.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (8%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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 62 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 62.4 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gilbert, 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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