Trip from Gilbert, AZ to Beaver Dam, AZ

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 59m

Distance

401.2 mi

646 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$82

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

7h 50m ★

6 AM

7h 59m

8 AM

8h 16m

10 AM

8h 5m

12 PM

8h 3m

3 PM

8h 6m

5 PM

8h 16m

8 PM

7h 54m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Gilbert, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Beaver Dam, AZ

Bluejae Photography

Trip Overview

This 401.2-mile journey from Gilbert, AZ to Beaver Dam, AZ clocks in at just under 8 hours, making it a feasible, albeit long, day trip within the Desert Southwest. You'll navigate a significant portion of this route using highways like the Wickenburg–Kingman Highway and the Las Vegas Freeway. With an estimated fuel cost of $80, this drive is generally straightforward. The route involves two planned stops, offering opportunities to break up the drive. Given its duration, planning an early start is advisable to comfortably reach your destination without feeling rushed.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

200.6 miles from Gilbert, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway	106.7 mi	2h 9m
Las Vegas Freeway	73.3 mi	1h 13m
Hoover Dam–Kingman Highway	66.2 mi	1h 16m
Grand Avenue	27.4 mi	37m
Purple Heart Trail	21.5 mi	21m
Purple Heart Highway	17.6 mi	20m
Papago Freeway	15 mi	17m
Superstition Freeway	9.8 mi	11m

Longest stretch: Wickenburg–Kingman Highway — 106.7 mi, about 2h 9m

Traffic on I-15

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~1,128 veh/hr typical · worst 1,480

Quietest

1 AM

~155 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

7.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gilbert, AZ and Beaver Dam, AZ.

Start on this road

203 ft · 20 sec · this road

Turn left onto North Elm Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · North Elm Street

At end of road, turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue

440 ft · 23 sec · East Vaughn Avenue

Turn right onto North Gilbert Road

2.1 mi · 4 min · North Gilbert Road

Turn left

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward US 60 West: Phoenix Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 60

9.8 mi · 11 min · Superstition Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 60

0.6 mi · 38 sec · US 60

Toward I 10 North

Merge onto I 10; US 60

4.9 mi · 5 min · Maricopa Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway

Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

Continue on I 10

10 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 133B Toward AZ 101 Loop North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on AZ 101 Loop

8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Exit 11 Toward US 60 Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto US 60

20 mi · 28 min · Grand Avenue

Use the left / right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 60

159 ft · 3 sec · Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway

Continue on US 60

0.9 mi · 1 min · Grand Avenue

Continue on US 60

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway

Continue on US 60

0.1 mi · 8 sec · Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway

Continue on US 60

6.3 mi · 7 min · Grand Avenue

Continue on US 60

0.5 mi · 31 sec · Phoenix-Wickenburg Highway

Continue on US 60

8.7 mi · 10 min · Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway

Continue on US 60

1.5 mi · 2 min · East Wickenburg Way

Enter roundabout onto US 93

2 ft · 0 sec · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway

Continue on US 93

1.2 mi · 2 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 93

0.5 mi · 1 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 93

0.9 mi · 1 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 93

0.9 mi · 1 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway

Enter roundabout onto US 93

100 ft · 4 sec · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway

Continue on US 93

1.2 mi · 2 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway

Enter roundabout onto US 93

155 ft · 6 sec · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway

Continue on US 93

0.6 mi · 1 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway

Turn left onto US 93

112 ft · 4 sec · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 93

101 mi · 1 hr 58 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway

Continue on US 93

0.3 mi · 23 sec · Wickenburg-Kingman Highway

Take the exit onto US 93

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 93

Toward I 40 West

Merge onto I 40; US 93

22 mi · 21 min · Purple Heart Trail

Take the exit onto US 93

0.3 mi · 42 sec · US 93

Exit 48 Toward US 93: Beale Street, Las Vegas

Turn slight right onto US 93

222 ft · 7 sec · US 93

Exit 48 Toward US 93: Beale Street, Las Vegas Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 93

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Beale Street

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 93

66 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Hoover Dam–Kingman Highway

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 93

3.4 mi · 4 min · Hoover Dam Bypass

Take the exit onto US 93 BUS

0.2 mi · 20 sec · US 93 BUS

Exit 2 Toward US 93 BUS North, NV 172 East: Boulder City, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 93 BUS

6.0 mi · 10 min · US 93 BUS

Exit 2 Toward US 93 BUS North: Boulder City Use the right lane.

Continue on US 93 BUS

3.6 mi · 4 min · Boulder City Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 11; US 93; US 95

18 mi · 20 min · Purple Heart Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 30 sec

Exit 72 Toward NV 159: Charleston Boulevard Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto NV 159

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Charleston Boulevard

Turn left onto South Lamb Boulevard

6.8 mi · 11 min · South Lamb Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward I 15 North: Salt Lake City

Merge onto I 15; US 93

73 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Las Vegas Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 15

8.1 mi · 8 min · Veterans Memorial Highway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 53 sec

Exit 8 Toward Beaver Dam, Littlefield

Turn left onto CR 91

0.6 mi · 1 min · Highway 91

Turn right

332 ft · 26 sec

At end of road, turn left

412 ft · 30 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this nearly 8-hour drive, an early departure from Gilbert, AZ is highly recommended to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your two stops. While the $80 fuel cost is a good estimate, it's always wise to have a bit of buffer. The 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile means you should stay alert and minimize distractions, especially when transitioning between main roads like the Wickenburg–Kingman Highway and the Las Vegas Freeway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a planned stop is over 100 miles.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 200.6 miles from Gilbert, AZ, or about 4h 8m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.7 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 88 miles or 1h 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 200.6 miles or 4h 8m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 56m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Gilbert, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Gilbert, AZ

This is one driving day of about 401.2 miles and 7h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Gilbert, AZ.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway for about 106.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Mohave County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Havasu City, AZ

201 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

Surprise, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bullhead City, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 200.6 miles from Gilbert, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.1 mi from route

QuikTrip

1.7 mi from route

Hemenway Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Boulder City, Nevada

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17022939256

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Boulder City, Nevada

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

Visit website

Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour Inexpensiv

Las Vegas, Nevada

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+17024863511

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 37

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 283.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

2.5 mi into trip | ~5m in

Turn left toward US 60 West: Phoenix

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward US 60 West: Phoenix

33.6 mi into trip | ~42m in

Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 133B Toward AZ 101 Loop North

43.2 mi into trip | ~53m in

Take the exit toward US 60

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 11 Toward US 60

283 mi into trip | ~5h 44m in | US 93 BUS

Take the exit onto US 93 BUS toward US 93 BUS North, NV 172 East: Boulder City, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 2 Toward US 93 BUS North, NV 172 East: Boulder Ci...

283.2 mi into trip | ~5h 44m in | US 93 BUS

Keep slight right at fork onto US 93 BUS toward US 93 BUS North: Boulder City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 2 Toward US 93 BUS North: Boulder City

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$81.93 one way

$163.86 round trip

$5.19/gal 25.4 MPG avg 140 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.52	$87.16	$174.32
premium	$5.72	$90.33	$180.67
diesel	$5.35	$84.50	$169.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$82

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$107–$132

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 140.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	120.4	1	$42.13	$19.26
Efficient EV	100.3	1	$35.11	$16.05
EV Truck/SUV	160.5	2	$56.17	$25.68

Gas CO2

140 kg

EV CO2

47 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 Jun 1, 2026

Origin

Gilbert, AZ

Afternoon in Gilbert on Wednesday

Local time

12:08 PM

MST

Current temp

70°F

Clear

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Beaver Dam, AZ

Afternoon in Beaver Dam on Wednesday

Local time

12:08 PM

MST

Current temp

69°F

Clear

NE 5 mph 0% chance 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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 59m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Experience outdoor thrills, striking landscapes, and brilliant blue waters. This year-round recreation area spreads across 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys and two vast reservoirs. Vis...

15 mi from route ~38 min detour $25 near mile 262.8

Danger: A harmful algal bloom (HAB) has been detected in Government Wash

Caution: Bacteria Levels at Arizona Hot Springs

View on nps.gov

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...

29 mi from route ~72 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a drive that's characterized by frequent turns and a blend of highway and local road driving. While 31% of the route is on highways, the overall profile is described as a 'Turn-heavy local drive.' The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 106.7 miles on the Wickenburg–Kingman Highway. This suggests a dynamic driving experience, moving from more open highway sections to more intricate local road segments as you progress through Arizona.

Only 31% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

58 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 106.7 mi on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 2.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 37 significant decision points across 401.2 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 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 33.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

4,138 ft 1,058 ft

Total Climb

3,399 ft

Total Descent

2,801 ft

Highest Point

4,138 ft

~200.6 mi in

Elevation Range

3,080 ft

Notable High Points

4,138 ft at ~200.6 miles +600 ft prominence

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Gilbert, AZ and Beaver Dam, AZ, road signs point toward Las Vegas, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.

Las Vegas

211.3 mi in | ~4h 19m | via US 93

Hoover Dam

283 mi in | ~5h 44m | via US 93 BUS

Lake Mead

283 mi in | ~5h 44m | via US 93 BUS

About the Cities

Starting 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.

Arriving in Beaver Dam, AZ

Full guide →

Founded 1863

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 7h 59m. Total distance: 401.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 59m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 106.7 miles on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 41 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 Beaver Dam, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 16.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Beaver Dam, AZ before the return drive.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

More from Gilbert, AZ

Grand Canyon, AZ 250.2 mi · 4h 41m Mountainaire, AZ 159.4 mi · 2h 54m Kachina Village, AZ 158.5 mi · 2h 52m Citrus Park, AZ 50.7 mi · 1h 5m Cave Creek, AZ 42.3 mi · 1h 1m Cave Creek, AZ 42.3 mi · 1h 1m

More trips to Beaver Dam, AZ

Tucson, AZ 495.1 mi

Escape planner: Gilbert, AZ Scenic drives in AZ

Explore more options from Gilbert, AZ or browse trips ending in Beaver Dam, AZ.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.