Mazatzal Rest Area (Closed)
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Many Farms, AZ to Gilbert, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 43m
Distance
310.4 mi
500 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 31m
★
6 AM
6h 43m
8 AM
7h 7m
10 AM
6h 52m
12 PM
6h 49m
3 PM
6h 53m
5 PM
7h 6m
8 PM
6h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Many Farms, AZ
Mark Stebnicki
Gilbert, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking from Many Farms, Arizona, to Gilbert, Arizona, this 310.4-mile journey will take approximately 6 hours and 43 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing the South Beeline Highway and US 191, about 24% of this route involves highway driving, with the rest being more localized roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $62, and it's designed to be manageable as a single-day drive, though you'll want to plan for one stop along the way. 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 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
155.2 miles from Many Farms, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Beeline Highway | 68.6 mi | 1h 21m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 45.7 mi | 45m |
| US 191 | 43.7 mi | 1h 2m |
| Heber Road | 30.9 mi | 36m |
| Chambers-Mexican Water Highway | 30.7 mi | 45m |
| Payson-Show Low Highway | 24.2 mi | 30m |
| Hwy 260 | 15.9 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 191 | 13.4 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
South Beeline Highway
— 68.6 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Many Farms, AZ and Gilbert, AZ.
1
Start on US 191
13 mi
·
19 min
·
US Highway 191
2
Continue on US 191
31 mi
·
45 min
·
Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
3
Enter roundabout onto US 191
278 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 191
4
Continue on US 191
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 191
5
Turn right onto US 191
38 mi
·
56 min
·
US 191
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
7
Merge onto I 40
46 mi
·
45 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
8
Take the exit onto AZ 77
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
AZ 77
Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber
9
Turn left onto I 40 Bus; AZ 77; US 66 Hist
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Navajo Boulevard
10
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Holbrook-Springerville Highway
11
Continue on AZ 77
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Show Low-Holbrook Highway
12
Turn right onto AZ 377
31 mi
·
36 min
·
Heber Road
13
Turn straight onto AZ 377
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Heber-Holbrook Highway
14
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 277
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West 3rd Street North
15
Continue on AZ 277
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 277
16
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Highway 260
17
Continue on AZ 260
16 mi
·
22 min
·
Hwy 260
18
Continue on AZ 260
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Payson-Heber Highway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on AZ 260
24 mi
·
30 min
·
Payson-Show Low Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn left onto AZ 87
69 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto North Gilbert Road
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
North Gilbert Road
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on South Gilbert Road
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
South Gilbert Road
Use the left lane.
23
Turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
440 ft
·
21 sec
·
East Vaughn Avenue
24
Turn right onto North Elm Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Elm Street
25
Turn right
203 ft
·
14 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour-plus duration, starting your drive from Many Farms early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. While this route can be completed in one day, factor in a stop to break up the 310.4 miles and stretch your legs. The longest continuous segment is just under 70 miles, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach that stretch. With a fuel cost estimate of $62, budgeting for gas is straightforward. Pay close attention to navigation, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means you'll be making frequent adjustments.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.2 miles from Many Farms, AZ, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.6 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 68 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.2 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gilbert, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Many Farms, 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 Many Farms, AZ
This is one driving day of about 310.4 miles and 6h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Many Farms, 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 South Beeline Highway for about 68.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
155 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 155.2 miles from Many Farms, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.6 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.
Navajo County Historical Society
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Holbrook, Arizona
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19285246558
Visit websiteDesert Dog Offroad Adventures
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.6 mi from route
~12 min detour
Fountain Hills, Arizona
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+14808373966
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 44.2 and 310.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
44.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
US 191
Enter roundabout onto US 191
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
50.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
|
US 191
Turn right onto US 191
Navigation decision point
5
133.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
|
AZ 77
Take the exit onto AZ 77 toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South...
5
299.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 24m in
|
North Gilbert Road
Turn left onto North Gilbert Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
310.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 42m in
|
North Elm Street
Turn right onto North Elm Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.00 one way
$110.01 round trip
$4.50/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $58.90 | $117.81 |
| premium | $5.04 | $61.62 | $123.23 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $58.61 | $117.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.1 | 1 | $32.59 | $14.90 |
| Efficient EV | 77.6 | 0 | $27.16 | $12.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.2 | 1 | $43.46 | $19.87 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Many Farms, AZ
Evening in Many Farms on Saturday
Local time
7:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 7 mph
45% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:52AM MST until July 17 at 12:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:48AM MST until July 17 at 3:45PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Gilbert, AZ
Evening in Gilbert on Saturday
Local time
6:32 PM
MST
Current temp
94°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 5 mph
23% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:52AM MST until July 17 at 12:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:48AM MST until July 17 at 3:45PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
7 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
6h 43m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Petrified Forest National Park
National Park
A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
$25
near mile 117.7
View on nps.gov
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
National Monument
This canyon is home to Diné families who raise livestock, grow crops and live here. People have lived in these canyons for nearly 5,000 years, which is longer than anyone has lived continuously on the...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 10.7
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...
23 mi from route
~57 min detour
$10
near mile 278.3
View on nps.gov
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...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
Free
near mile 310.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter more frequent turns and varying road conditions compared to an interstate experience. While there's a 24% highway share, the majority of your time will be spent on roads that require more active navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 68.6 miles on the South Beeline Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before you re-engage with the winding local routes. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that keeps you engaged.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.6 mi on South Beeline Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 44.2 miles in near US 191.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 43m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 44.2 miles (US 191): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 50.1 miles (US 191): Navigation decision point; at 133.9 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,586 ft
1,236 ft
Total Climb
3,799 ft
Total Descent
7,876 ft
Highest Point
7,586 ft
~199.6 mi in
Elevation Range
6,350 ft
Notable High Points
6,539 ft at ~66.5 miles
+170 ft prominence
7,586 ft at ~199.6 miles
+957 ft prominence
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 Many Farms, AZ to Gilbert, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Heber along the way.
Heber
133.9 mi in
|
~2h 54m
|
via AZ 77
About the Cities
Starting in Many Farms, AZ
Full guide →Arriving 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 6h 43m. Total distance: 310.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (24%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.6 miles on South Beeline Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Gilbert, 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 44.2 miles (US 191): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 50.1 miles (US 191): Navigation decision point; at 133.9 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Petrified Forest National Park, Canyon de Chelly National Monument and Tonto National Monument (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gilbert, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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