Origin
Goodyear, AZ
Morning in Goodyear on Tuesday
Local time
6:16 AM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Goodyear, AZ to Vail, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
150.2 mi
242 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Goodyear, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Vail, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Trip Overview
This 150.2-mile drive from Goodyear, AZ, to Vail, AZ, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway and the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, with a portion on the Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway. With a fuel cost estimated at $30, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Desert Southwest region. The drive is characterized by its turn-heavy local nature, suggesting a need for focused attention rather than a purely scenic cruise. Consider this a practical, efficient trip for getting from point A to point B within Arizona.
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
75.1 miles from Goodyear, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway | 19.6 mi | 22m |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 18.8 mi | 20m |
| West Buckeye Road | 8.9 mi | 13m |
| North Freeway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| East Colossal Cave Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Western Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Goodyear, AZ and Vail, AZ.
1
Start on South Litchfield Road
8 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Litchfield Road
2
Turn right onto East Western Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Western Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
At end of road, turn right onto South Dysart Road
495 ft
·
17 sec
·
South Dysart Road
4
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
8.9 mi
·
13 min
·
West Buckeye Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto South 59th Avenue
446 ft
·
7 sec
·
South 59th Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop South
7
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Congressman Ed Pastor Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 55A-B
Toward I 10: Phoenix, Tucson
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 55B
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
55 mi
·
55 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 279
Toward Colossal Cave Road, Wentworth Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto US 80 Historic
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
South Wentworth Road
16
Continue on US 80 Historic
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Colossal Cave Road
17
Arrive at destination
East Colossal Cave Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 2 hours and 45 minutes, this trip is easily managed in one day. You’ll want to depart in the morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures, especially if traveling during warmer months in the Desert Southwest. Plan for one stop, perhaps around the halfway mark or when you feel the need to stretch your legs. With a fuel cost around $30, ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Goodyear, as the longest stretch without significant services could be the 54.6 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. Keep an eye on local road conditions, as the "turn-heavy local drive" profile means you'll be interacting with various traffic patterns.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.1 miles from Goodyear, AZ, or about 1h 25m 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 33 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.1 miles or 1h 25m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vail, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Goodyear, 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 Goodyear, AZ
This is one driving day of about 150.2 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Goodyear, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.1 miles from Goodyear, 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 and 148.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Western Avenue
Turn right onto East Western Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 80 Hist / West Buckeye Road
Turn left onto US 80 Hist / West Buckeye Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
30 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward I 10: Phoenix, Tucson
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 55A-B
Toward I 10: Phoenix, Tucson
8
30.2 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 55B
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
8
148.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward Colossal Cave Road, Wentworth Road
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 279
Toward Colossal Cave Road, Wentworth Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.92 one way
$59.84 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $31.67 | $63.33 |
| premium | $5.59 | $33.06 | $66.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.16 | $66.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.1 | 0 | $15.77 | $7.21 |
| Efficient EV | 37.6 | 0 | $13.14 | $6.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.1 | 0 | $21.03 | $9.61 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Vail, AZ
Morning in Vail on Tuesday
Local time
6:16 AM
MST
Current temp
48°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
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
2h 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.
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 139.8
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 62.1
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" experience for this 150.2-mile journey. While only 17% of the route involves highways, the longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.6 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. This suggests a driving profile that involves more frequent transitions and potentially lower average speeds compared to a pure interstate experience. The road will likely evolve from more urban or suburban approaches to the more open, but still locally managed, roadways connecting the communities. Be prepared for a dynamic drive that requires consistent engagement with navigation and road conditions.
Only 17% 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: 54.6 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
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 early in the drive near East Western 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 150.2 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: near the start (East Western Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (US 80 Hist / West Buckeye Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 30 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Goodyear, AZ to Vail, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tucson along the way.
Tucson
30 mi in
|
~39m
About the Cities
Starting in Goodyear, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1946
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 2h 45m. Total distance: 150.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (17%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads 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, 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: near the start (East Western Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (US 80 Hist / West Buckeye Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 30 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Saguaro National Park and Casa Grande Ruins 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 Vail, 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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