Glendale, AZ to Pirtleville, AZ is 246.8 miles and takes about 4h 45m via Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward path through varied terrain. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, so expect a dynamic driving experience. With a recommended single day for this trip, it's a manageable distance for most drivers looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
123.4 miles from Glendale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi
55m
Tucson-Benson Highway
41.4 mi
43m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
37.8 mi
38m
AZ 80
32.2 mi
43m
State Route 90
16.5 mi
19m
Maricopa Freeway
16.3 mi
18m
Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
13.3 mi
16m
Huachuca Boulevard
9.1 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glendale, AZ and Pirtleville, AZ.
1
Start on US 60
0.3 mi·36 sec·Grand Avenue
2
Continue on US 60
5.5 mi·9 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit onto US 60
0.5 mi·1 min·US 60
Toward 27th Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 60
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Thomas Road
Use the left / slight left lanes.
5
Turn right onto US 60
0.3 mi·28 sec·North Black Canyon Highway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 17 South
7
Merge onto I 17; US 60
3.5 mi·4 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 17; US 60
16 mi·18 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
55 mi·55 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
6.1 mi·6 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
41 mi·43 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 302Toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
14
Turn right onto AZ 90
1.2 mi·1 min·South State Highway 90
15
Continue on AZ 90
9.1 mi·10 min·Huachuca Boulevard
16
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi·14 min·State Route 90
17
Continue on AZ 90
2.2 mi·3 min·North Huachuca Boulevard
18
Continue on AZ 90
3.0 mi·3 min·State Route 90
19
Turn left onto AZ 90
4.4 mi·6 min·State Route 90 Bypass
20
Turn left onto AZ 90
1.5 mi·2 min·Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on AZ 90
1.6 mi·2 min·State Route 90
22
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi·14 min·Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
23
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
10 mi·16 min·AZ 80; US 80 Hist
24
Enter roundabout onto AZ 80
518 ft·6 sec·AZ 80
25
Continue on AZ 80
22 mi·27 min·AZ 80
26
Turn left onto North Douglas Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Douglas Avenue
27
Turn left onto West Pirtle Avenue
461 ft·25 sec·West Pirtle Avenue
28
Turn left
290 ft·21 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4h 45m drive, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. Given the single-day recommendation and a fuel cost estimate of $45, you'll likely only need one significant stop for fuel or a break. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 54.6 miles, so plan your rest stops accordingly to break up the drive. Since you're staying within Arizona, you won't need to worry about state lines, and the route is straightforward enough to allow for some flexibility in your timing.
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 123.4 miles from Glendale, AZ, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 54 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.4 miles or 2h 14m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pirtleville, 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 246.8 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.4 and 166.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.4 mi into trip|~11m in|US 60 / West Thomas Road
Turn left onto US 60 / West Thomas Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / slight left lanes.
5
6.6 mi into trip|~12m in|US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway
Turn right onto US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway
Navigation decision point
5
6.9 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 17 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 17 South
5
7 mi into trip|~12m in|I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge onto I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
166.7 mi into trip|~3h in
Take the exit toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 302
Toward AZ 90 East: Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.32 one way
$100.64 round trip
$5.18/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.48
$53.29
$106.57
premium
$5.74
$55.72
$111.45
diesel
$6.18
$60.04
$120.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74
0
$25.91
$11.85
Efficient EV
61.7
0
$21.60
$9.87
EV Truck/SUV
98.7
1
$34.55
$15.80
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Glendale, AZ
Late night
in Glendale on Tuesday
Local time
4:30 AM
MST
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Clear
NNE 0 to 5 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Pirtleville, AZ
Late night
in Pirtleville on Tuesday
Local time
4:30 AM
MST
Current temp
58°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 3 mph20% chanceLive 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
11 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
4h 45m 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.
Saguaro National Park
National Park
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 136.2
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...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 59.6
It was a journey of conquest filled with exploration, wonder - and cruelty. Inspired by tales of vast cities of gold, 339 European soldiers and over a thousand Aztec allies embarked on an epic journey...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 204.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features 38% highway driving, with the remaining 62% on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 54.6 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. You'll experience transitions between higher-speed highway cruising and potentially slower surface street speeds as you move between cities. Be prepared for a mix of driving conditions as the road type changes throughout the 246.8-mile route.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.6 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in near US 60 / West Thomas Road.
Driving Effort5/10
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 246.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 6.4 miles (US 60 / West Thomas Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,559 ft1,128 ft
Total Climb
3,469 ft
Total Descent
624 ft
Highest Point
4,559 ft
~176.3 mi in
Elevation Range
3,431 ft
Notable High Points
4,559 ft at ~176.3 miles+89 ft prominence
4,508 ft at ~229.2 miles+38 ft prominence
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 Pirtleville, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Sierra Vista along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 45m. Total distance: 246.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.6 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.4 miles (US 60 / West Thomas Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Saguaro National Park, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Coronado National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Pirtleville, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
