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Trip from Gold Camp, AZ to Surprise, 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 50m

Distance

83.1 mi

134 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 42m ★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 56m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 45m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Gold Camp, AZ, AZ

Gold Camp, AZ

Jan Kopřiva

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Surprise, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embark on a straightforward 83.1-mile journey from Gold Camp, AZ, to Surprise, AZ, which will take approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited as a single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about finding an overnight stay. The route primarily utilizes the Superstition Freeway, Papago Freeway, and the Phoenix–Globe Highway, offering a familiar highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, this trip is quite budget-friendly. Both your origin and destination are within the Desert Southwest region, so expect consistent arid landscapes throughout.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

41.5 miles from Gold Camp, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Superstition Freeway 27.1 mi 31m
Papago Freeway 15 mi 17m
Phoenix–Globe Highway 14.7 mi 18m
Agua Fria Freeway 8.8 mi 10m
Maricopa Freeway 4.9 mi 5m
Grand Avenue 4.7 mi 8m
North Queen Valley Road 3 mi 7m
North Queen Anne Drive 0.9 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Superstition Freeway — 27.1 mi, about 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gold Camp, AZ and Surprise, AZ.

1

Start on West Kirk Drive

187 ft · 11 sec · West Kirk Drive
2

Turn left onto North Sharon Drive

0.1 mi · 28 sec · North Sharon Drive
3

Turn right onto East Lynn Way

0.1 mi · 34 sec · East Lynn Way
4

Turn right onto East Diane Drive

0.2 mi · 40 sec · East Diane Drive
5

Continue on North Jacque Drive

519 ft · 19 sec · North Jacque Drive
6

At end of road, turn right onto East Queen Valley Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Queen Valley Drive
7

Turn right onto North Queen Anne Drive

0.9 mi · 3 min · North Queen Anne Drive
8

Continue on North Queen Valley Road

3.0 mi · 7 min · North Queen Valley Road
9

Turn right onto US 60

15 mi · 18 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
10

Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist

27 mi · 31 min · Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto US 60

0.6 mi · 38 sec · US 60
Toward I 10 North
12

Merge onto I 10; US 60

4.9 mi · 5 min · Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
16

Continue on I 10

10 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 133B Toward AZ 101 Loop North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on AZ 101 Loop

8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 11 Toward US 60 Use the slight right lane.
20

Turn left onto US 60

4.7 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
21

Turn right onto West Greenway Road

212 ft · 10 sec · West Greenway Road
Use the right lane.
22

Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive

0.3 mi · 32 sec · Santa Fe Drive
Use the left lane.
23

Turn right onto North Nash Street

0.3 mi · 50 sec · North Nash Street
24

Arrive at destination

North Nash Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 1 hour and 50-minute duration, you have a lot of flexibility with when you depart. Consider an early morning start to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach more populated areas. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps after the longest 27.1-mile stretch on the Superstition Freeway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is $17, it's always wise to top off before leaving Gold Camp, AZ.

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 41.5 miles from Gold Camp, AZ, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.1 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 18 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 41.5 miles or 58m 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 32m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Gold Camp, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Gold Camp, AZ

This is one driving day of about 83.1 miles and 1h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Gold Camp, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Superstition Freeway for about 27.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Guadalupe, AZ

42 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.

Popular next leg

Guadalupe, AZ to Surprise, AZ

37.6 mi · 52m

Pacing Suggestions

Apache Junction, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tempe, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.5 miles from Gold Camp, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Tyrannostorus

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 41.5

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+14805974467

Visit website

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 47.5

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+14805657081

Visit website

Enchanted Island Amusement Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 59.3

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+16022541200

Visit website

Arizona Science Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 53.4

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+16027162000

Visit website

Amusement Park Rides RandRrides(Phoenix Park & Swap)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 53.4

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: Closed

+14809958653

Visit website

Dorrance DOME

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 53.4

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

Tempe Festival of the Arts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 47.5

Tempe, Arizona

+14803556060

Visit website

Riverview Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 41.5

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14806442352

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 5 and 82.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
5 mi into trip | ~14m in | US 60 / Phoenix–Globe Highway

Turn right onto US 60 / Phoenix–Globe Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
52.2 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | I 10 / Papago Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.
7
67.8 mi into trip | ~1h 28m 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
7
77.5 mi into trip | ~1h 39m 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
7
82.5 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in | Santa Fe Drive

Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.55 one way

$33.11 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $17.52 $35.04
premium $5.59 $18.29 $36.58
diesel $5.61 $18.35 $36.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.9 0 $8.73 $3.99
Efficient EV 20.8 0 $7.27 $3.32
EV Truck/SUV 33.2 0 $11.63 $5.32

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Gold Camp, AZ

Night in Gold Camp on Saturday

Local time

9:37 PM

MST

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Surprise, AZ

Night in Surprise on Saturday

Local time

9:37 PM

MST

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

88°F

Guadalupe, AZ

42 mi in

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

29 degrees warmer at arrival

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

Road read

1h 50m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

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 ~54 min detour Free near mile 8.6
View on nps.gov
Tonto National Monument

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...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour $10
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 68% of the 83.1 miles on main roads. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 27.1 miles on the Superstition Freeway, providing a consistent pace. The character of the drive is defined by its efficient, highway-centric nature, designed for straightforward travel rather than winding scenic byways. Expect a smooth progression as you make your way from one Desert Southwest location to another.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.1 mi on Superstition Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Superstition Freeway and Papago Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5 miles in near US 60 / Phoenix–Globe Highway.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.1 miles you will encounter 16 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 5 miles (US 60 / Phoenix–Globe Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.2 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Surprise, AZ

Full guide →

Sun City is a suburb 20 miles (30km) northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was built as a planned retirement community in Maricopa County in the 1960s. An adjacent retirement community Sun City West was built in the late 1970s; there is also a Sun City Grand. Directly northwest of the three "Sun City" suburbs is Surprise, Arizona.

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 50m. Total distance: 83.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 27.1 miles on Superstition Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Surprise, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

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 5 miles (US 60 / Phoenix–Globe Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.2 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Surprise, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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