Origin
Gilbert, AZ
Late night in Gilbert on Sunday
Local time
12:29 AM
MST
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gilbert, AZ to Gila Bend, 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 45m
Distance
72.1 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
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.
Gilbert, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Gila Bend, AZ
Irina Balashova
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward trip through the Desert Southwest, the 72.1-mile journey from Gilbert to Gila Bend is an efficient way to traverse the region. Expect to spend approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes on the road, making this a perfect one-day excursion that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via West Queen Creek Road, North Maricopa Road, and Maricopa Road to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this drive is quite budget-friendly for a quick getaway. Because the route stays within the desert landscape, you will experience a consistent environment from start to finish. It is a practical option if you need to reach Gila Bend without committing to a multi-day itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.1 miles from Gilbert, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maricopa Road | 38.1 mi | 55m |
| North Maricopa Road | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| West Queen Creek Road | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| North Gilbert Road | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| Santan Freeway | 4.3 mi | 5m |
| South Dobson Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| West Smith Enke Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| North John Wayne Parkway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Maricopa Road
— 38.1 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gilbert, AZ and Gila Bend, AZ.
1
Start on this road
203 ft
·
20 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto North Elm Street
244 ft
·
13 sec
·
North Elm Street
3
Turn left onto East Cullumber Avenue
436 ft
·
24 sec
·
East Cullumber Avenue
4
Turn left onto North Gilbert Road
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
North Gilbert Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West: Santan Freeway
6
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Santan Freeway
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 49
Toward Dobson Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto South Dobson Road
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South Dobson Road
Use the left / right lanes.
9
Turn right onto West Queen Creek Road
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
West Queen Creek Road
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on AZ 347
12 mi
·
13 min
·
North Maricopa Road
11
Continue on AZ 347
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North John Wayne Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn right onto AZ 238
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Smith Enke Road
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on AZ 238
38 mi
·
55 min
·
Maricopa Road
14
Continue on AZ 85
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Arizona State Highway 85
15
Continue on AZ 85
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Pima Street
16
Turn right onto North Martin Avenue
169 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Martin Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
North Martin Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for the full 1 hour and 45-minute drive is wise. There are no formal stops scheduled, so ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the $14 estimated cost assumes a smooth run. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of this route means you should stay focused on navigation, especially during the 38.1-mile stretch on Maricopa Road. You might want to pack your own snacks and water, as the lack of planned stops means you will need to be self-sufficient once you head out. Taking this route as a single-day trip allows you to maximize your time in Gila Bend without worrying about logistics.
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 Gilbert, AZ, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.1 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 16 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.1 miles or 51m 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 Gila Bend, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gilbert, AZ
This is one driving day of about 72.1 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Gilbert, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Maricopa Road for about 38.1 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.1 miles from Gilbert, 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 30.7 — 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 Cullumber Avenue
Turn left onto East Cullumber Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Gilbert Road
Turn left onto North Gilbert Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
9.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward Dobson Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49
Toward Dobson Road
5
12 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
West Queen Creek Road
Turn right onto West Queen Creek Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
30.7 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
AZ 238 / West Smith Enke Road
Turn right onto AZ 238 / West Smith Enke Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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.
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
Gila Bend, AZ
Late night in Gila Bend on Sunday
Local time
12:29 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
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
1h 45m 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?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features only 8% highway travel, keeping you on surface roads for the vast majority of the 1 hour and 45-minute duration. You will spend a significant portion of your time navigating the longest stretch of the trip, covering 38.1 miles on Maricopa Road. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, the pace is more measured than high-speed motorway driving. Expect a technical feel as you transition through the desert terrain, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns along the path.
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: 38.1 mi on Maricopa Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Cullumber Avenue.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.1 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Cullumber Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (North Gilbert Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
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 45m. Total distance: 72.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (8%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.1 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: at 0.1 miles (East Cullumber Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (North Gilbert Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gila Bend, 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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