Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Gilbert, AZ to Morenci, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
202.6 mi
326 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 2m
8 AM
5h 29m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gilbert, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Morenci, AZ
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
This 202.6-mile journey from Gilbert, AZ to Morenci, AZ is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours to complete. You'll navigate a mix of roads, primarily using the Globe-Lordsburg Highway and US 191. With a fuel cost estimated at $40, this route offers a straightforward drive through the Desert Southwest region of Arizona. The drive is characterized by its numerous turns, making it more of a local experience than an interstate cruise. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
101.3 miles from Gilbert, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 71.2 mi | 1h 28m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 43 mi | 55m |
| US 191 | 23.7 mi | 28m |
| Superstition Freeway | 16.6 mi | 19m |
| West 5th Street | 10.5 mi | 14m |
| Coronado Boulevard | 10.2 mi | 17m |
| Coronado Trail | 6.3 mi | 15m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gilbert, AZ and Morenci, AZ.
1
Start on this road
203 ft
·
20 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto North Elm Street
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
North Elm Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
440 ft
·
23 sec
·
East Vaughn Avenue
4
Turn right onto North Gilbert Road
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Gilbert Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 60 East: Globe
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 60
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Live Oak Street
9
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
10
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
11
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Oak Street
13
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Hill Street
14
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
15
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
70 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
17
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
18
Continue on US 70
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Thatcher Boulevard
19
Continue on US 70
11 mi
·
14 min
·
West 5th Street
20
Turn left onto US 191
24 mi
·
28 min
·
US 191
21
At end of road, turn straight
90 ft
·
2 sec
22
Turn left
82 ft
·
2 sec
23
Turn slight right onto US 191
10 mi
·
17 min
·
Coronado Boulevard
24
Continue on US 191 Temp
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Coronado Trail
25
Continue on US 191 Temp
4.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Coronado Trail
26
Turn sharp right
0.3 mi
·
2 min
27
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
2 min
28
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
3 min
29
Turn sharp left
0.5 mi
·
3 min
30
Turn left
1.2 mi
·
8 min
31
Turn sharp left
1.3 mi
·
8 min
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive from Gilbert, AZ early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. You'll have a longest stretch of 71.2 miles on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost of around $40, it's a budget-friendly trip. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility with stops; however, planning for one main stop will help you stay refreshed. Keep an eye out for changing road conditions as you transition between different highways and local roads.
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 101.3 miles from Gilbert, AZ, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 45 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.3 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morenci, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gilbert, AZ
This is one driving day of about 202.6 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Gilbert, 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 Globe-Lordsburg Highway for about 71.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.3 miles from Gilbert, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Globe-Lordsburg Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.6 mi from route
Boyce Thompson Arboretum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
mile 43.4
Superior, Arizona
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+15206892723
Visit websiteBesh-Ba-Gowah Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
mile 72.3
Globe, Arizona
Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm
+19284250320
Visit websiteBesh-Ba-Gowah Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
mile 72.3
Globe, Arizona
Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm
+19284250320
Visit websiteLegends of Superior Trails
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
mile 43.4
Superior, Arizona
Hours: Open 24 hours
+16029359034
Visit websiteCobre Valley Center for the Arts
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
mile 72.3
Globe, Arizona
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19284250884
Visit websiteSignal Butte Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
mile 14.5
Mesa, Arizona
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+14806447529
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 198.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East Vaughn Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward US 60 East: Globe
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 60 East: Globe
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
69.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
198.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m in
Turn sharp right
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.36 one way
$80.72 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $42.71 | $85.43 |
| premium | $5.59 | $44.60 | $89.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.73 | $89.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.27 | $9.72 |
| Efficient EV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.73 | $8.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81 | 1 | $28.36 | $12.97 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Gilbert, AZ
Evening in Gilbert on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Morenci, AZ
Evening in Morenci on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
MST
Current temp
50°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
43 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
5h 2m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 27.9
View on nps.gov
Tonto National Monument
National Monument
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$10
near mile 55.9
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 turn-heavy local drive for most of this 5-hour trip. While 22% of the route utilizes highways, the majority of your time will be spent on local roads, including significant portions of the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 71.2 miles on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, offering a chance to settle in before the road begins to wind more. This route feels like a genuine exploration of Arizona's landscape, with the road adapting to the terrain.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.2 mi on Globe-Lordsburg Highway.
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 around 0.3 miles in near East Vaughn Avenue.
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 5h 2m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (East Vaughn Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 5h 2m. Total distance: 202.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (22%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.2 miles on Globe-Lordsburg Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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.
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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (East Vaughn Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Morenci, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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