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Trip from Glendale, AZ to Fortuna Foothills, AZ

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 16m

Distance

171.6 mi

276 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 4m ★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 22m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 9m

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

Best Time
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city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Glendale, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Fortuna Foothills, AZ, AZ

Fortuna Foothills, AZ

Brent Singleton

Trip Overview

The drive from Glendale, AZ to Fortuna Foothills, AZ covers 171.6 miles and takes about 3h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Blue Star Memorial Highway, Arizona State Highway 85, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 100.2 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.26 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

85.8 miles from Glendale, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway 100.2 mi 1h 41m
Arizona State Highway 85 28.5 mi 33m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway 11.9 mi 12m
Papago Freeway 8.2 mi 9m
Agua Fria Freeway 5.6 mi 6m
West Northern Avenue 3.7 mi 7m
South Oglesby Road 3.6 mi 5m
East Pima Street 2.4 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Blue Star Memorial Highway — 100.2 mi, about 1h 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Glendale, AZ and Fortuna Foothills, AZ.

1

Start on US 60

1.4 mi · 2 min · Grand Avenue
2

Turn left onto West Northern Avenue

3.7 mi · 7 min · West Northern Avenue
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward AZ 101 Loop South Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto AZ 101 Loop

5.6 mi · 6 min · Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 1A Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto I 10

8.2 mi · 9 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 10

12 mi · 12 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 2 min
Exit 112 Toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on AZ 85

3.6 mi · 5 min · South Oglesby Road
10

Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist

1.0 mi · 1 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
11

Continue on AZ 85

28 mi · 33 min · Arizona State Highway 85
12

Take the exit onto AZ 85

0.6 mi · 1 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Toward AZ-85 South: Gila Bend
13

Continue on AZ 85

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Arizona State Highway 85
14

Continue on AZ 85

2.4 mi · 5 min · East Pima Street
15

Take the exit onto I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist

0.7 mi · 1 min · I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 8 West: San Diego
16

Merge onto I 8

100 mi · 1 hr 41 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward Foothills Boulevard
18

Turn left onto South Foothills Boulevard

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Foothills Boulevard
19

Turn right onto East 40th Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · East 40th Street
20

Turn right onto South Sheryl Drive

0.1 mi · 26 sec · South Sheryl Drive
21

Arrive at destination

South Sheryl Drive

Trip Plan

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 85.8 miles from Glendale, AZ, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.2 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 38 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 85.8 miles or 1h 47m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 43m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Glendale, 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 Glendale, AZ

This is one driving day of about 171.6 miles and 3h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Glendale, 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 Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 100.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Buckeye, AZ

86 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

Buckeye, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ajo, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.8 miles from Glendale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Blue Star Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

China Red Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Litchfield Park, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16235357599

Visit website

Telegraph Pass Trailhead

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Yuma, Arizona

Hobo Joe Statue

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Buckeye, Arizona

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Martha's Gardens

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Yuma, Arizona

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19287268831

Visit website

Sundance Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Buckeye, Arizona

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

Visit website

TeenyTown Playland

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Litchfield Park, Arizona

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+16237766002

Visit website

The Little Gym of Litchfield Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Goodyear, Arizona

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+16232505718

Visit website

Robbins Butte Wildlife Area

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Buckeye, Arizona

+19144392727

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 31.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
5.1 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the ramp toward AZ 101 Loop South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward AZ 101 Loop South
5
5.6 mi into trip | ~10m in | AZ 101 Loop / Agua Fria Freeway

Merge onto AZ 101 Loop / Agua Fria Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
8
11.3 mi into trip | ~17m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: Los Angeles

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 1A Toward I 10 West: Los Angeles
5
11.9 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 10 / Papago Freeway

Merge onto I 10 / Papago Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
31.9 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego

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 112 Toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.26 one way

$66.52 round trip

$4.92/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.20 $35.14 $70.29
premium $5.44 $36.73 $73.46
diesel $5.60 $37.83 $75.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.5 0 $18.02 $8.24
Efficient EV 42.9 0 $15.02 $6.86
EV Truck/SUV 68.6 0 $24.02 $10.98

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Sep 2, 2026

Origin

Glendale, AZ

Night in Glendale on Friday

Local time

10:29 PM

MST

Current temp

82°F

Mostly Clear

SW 0 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Fortuna Foothills, AZ

Night in Fortuna Foothills on Friday

Local time

10:29 PM

MST

Current temp

82°F

Mostly Clear

SSW 0 to 5 mph 1% 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 16m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

171.6 mi in 3h 16m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.2 mi on Blue Star Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 5.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 171.6 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 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Agua Fria Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,128 ft 282 ft

Total Climb

222 ft

Total Descent

1,013 ft

Highest Point

1,128 ft

Elevation Range

846 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Glendale, AZ to Fortuna Foothills, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward San Diego along the way.

San Diego

31.9 mi in | ~40m

About the Cities

Starting in Glendale, AZ

Full guide →

Founded 1887

Glendale is one of the largest suburbs in the metropolitan Phoenix area, and is rapidly growing as a media/entertainment center in the Valley of the Sun. It was home to over 250,000 people in 2019.

Top landmarks

  • • Catlin Court Historic District — historic district in Glendale, Arizona, USA
  • • Floralcroft Historic District — historic district in Glendale. Arizona
  • • Glendale beet sugar factory

Arriving in Fortuna Foothills, AZ

Full guide →

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 3h 16m. Total distance: 171.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 100.2 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Fortuna Foothills, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.6 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Agua Fria Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Fortuna Foothills, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.

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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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