If you are looking for a quick transition from the urban sprawl of Maryvale to the distinct landscape of Superior, this 74-mile trek is a straightforward choice. You can easily complete the journey in about 1 hour and 31 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budget roughly $15 for fuel to cover the trip, which keeps your travel costs manageable. Since both locations are firmly rooted in the Desert Southwest, the transition remains consistent in climate and character. You will spend your time navigating via the Papago Freeway, US 60, and the Phoenix–Globe Highway. Because the drive is relatively short, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging; you can comfortably head out and back in one go.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37 miles from Maryvale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 60
27.9 mi
32m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
27.3 mi
33m
Papago Freeway
9.3 mi
10m
Maricopa Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
North 51st Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
0.5 mi
<1m
West Indian School Road
0.5 mi
1m
North 55th Avenue
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 60
— 27.9 mi, about 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maryvale, AZ and Superior, AZ.
1
Start on North 55th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North 55th Avenue
2
Turn left onto West Indian School Road
0.5 mi·1 min·West Indian School Road
3
Turn right onto North 51st Avenue
2.3 mi·4 min·North 51st Avenue
4
Turn left
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward I 10 East: TucsonUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 10
4.9 mi·5 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·35 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
7
Continue on I 10
3.2 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
1.2 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.8 mi·5 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 60
28 mi·32 min·US 60
Exit 154Toward US 60 East: Mesa, GlobeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
27 mi·33 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward Kearny, Winkelman
13
Turn left onto AZ 177
0.2 mi·32 sec·South Magma Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
North Magma Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact 74-mile drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though hitting the road early helps you avoid the heaviest Phoenix-area congestion. You won't need to plan for any formal stops given the short duration, but having your $15 fuel budget ready ensures you can top off your tank without stress. Because the route relies heavily on major arteries like US 60, keep a close eye on real-time traffic reports for the Papago Freeway before you pull out of your driveway. Prioritize a steady pace during that longest 27.9-mile stretch to maximize your fuel efficiency. Ultimately, the simplicity of this route is its greatest asset, so keep your itinerary light and enjoy the ease of a drive that takes less than two hours.
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 37 miles from Maryvale, AZ, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.9 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 16 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37 miles or 46m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Superior, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Maryvale, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Maryvale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 74 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Maryvale, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 60 for about 27.9 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 18.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.2 mi into trip|~6m in
Turn left toward I 10 East: Tucson
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
5
3.7 mi into trip|~7m 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.
6
12.2 mi into trip|~17m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
5
13.5 mi into trip|~18m in|I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
18.3 mi into trip|~24m in|US 60
Take the exit onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
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 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.74 one way
$29.48 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$15.60
$31.20
premium
$5.59
$16.29
$32.58
diesel
$5.61
$16.34
$32.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.2
0
$7.77
$3.55
Efficient EV
18.5
0
$6.48
$2.96
EV Truck/SUV
29.6
0
$10.36
$4.74
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Maryvale, AZ
Night
in Maryvale on Saturday
Local time
9:19 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Superior, AZ
Night
in Superior on Saturday
Local time
9:19 PM
MST
Current temp
87°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
6 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
1h 31m 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
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 58.7
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition from city traffic to the more open stretches of the Phoenix–Globe Highway. Roughly 57% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a balanced pace that shifts as you move away from the metropolitan center. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 27.9 miles while traveling along US 60, allowing for a steady, rhythmic cruise. The route balances the necessity of high-speed transit with the flow of regional roadways, ensuring you aren't stuck on a monotonous interstate for the entire duration. Navigating this path offers a practical look at how the infrastructure connects these two Arizona communities.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.9 mi on US 60.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74 miles you will encounter 9 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 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Maryvale, AZ to Superior, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Globe
18.3 mi in|~24m|via US 60
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 74 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). 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 27.9 miles on US 60. 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 Superior, 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 3.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Superior, AZ before heading back.
