Traveling from Maryvale to Thatcher covers 171.5 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 42 minutes. Because this journey stays entirely within the Desert Southwest region of Arizona, you can easily complete the trip in a single day. You will spend roughly $34 on fuel, making it an affordable trek for a weekend getaway or a necessary visit. The route relies on the Phoenix–Globe Highway, US 60, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway to navigate between these two points. Since it is a straightforward drive, you won't need to worry about planning an overnight split unless you prefer a leisurely pace. Overall, this is a manageable commute that offers a clear path across the state.
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
85.8 miles from Maryvale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
71.2 mi
1h 28m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi
55m
US 60
31.9 mi
39m
Papago Freeway
9.3 mi
10m
Maricopa Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
East Ash Street
2.3 mi
4m
North 51st Avenue
2.3 mi
4m
North Broad Street
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maryvale, AZ and Thatcher, 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
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·Live Oak Street
13
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
14
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
15
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·9 sec·East Oak Street
17
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·39 sec·South Hill Street
18
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi·4 min·East Ash Street
19
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi·1 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
70 mi·1 hr 27 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
21
Continue on US 70
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
US 70
Trip Plan
Planning for this 3 hour and 42 minute drive is simple due to its moderate length. Since there is only one recommended stop along the way, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel before finishing the final leg of the journey. Departing early in the day is your best strategy to avoid any potential congestion while navigating the turn-heavy portions of the local roads. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 71.2-mile stretch on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, as service options may be spaced out. Because the total trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time to fit your personal schedule without needing a complex itinerary.
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 85.8 miles from Maryvale, AZ, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 38 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.8 miles or 1h 47m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thatcher, 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.
+
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 Maryvale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 171.5 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Maryvale, 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 Globe-Lordsburg Highway for about 71.2 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 12
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
$34.16 one way
$68.33 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$36.16
$72.31
premium
$5.59
$37.75
$75.50
diesel
$5.61
$37.87
$75.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.4
0
$18.01
$8.23
Efficient EV
42.9
0
$15.01
$6.86
EV Truck/SUV
68.6
0
$24.01
$10.98
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Maryvale, AZ
Late night
in Maryvale on Tuesday
Local time
2:10 AM
MST
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Thatcher, AZ
Late night
in Thatcher on Tuesday
Local time
2:10 AM
MST
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Miami, AZ
86 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
33 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
3h 42m 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 59.1
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$10
near mile 82.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While about 27% of your travel occurs on highways, the remainder of the trip involves navigating winding local stretches that shift the feel of the road significantly. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 71.2 miles on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, which provides a break from the more technical sections of the route. As you transition between the various highways, the driving environment changes from broader corridors to tighter, more involved road segments. It isn't a monotonous interstate grind, so be prepared to adjust your speed and focus as the road conditions fluctuate.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.2 mi on Globe-Lordsburg Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 171.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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 Thatcher, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 42m. Total distance: 171.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.2 miles on Globe-Lordsburg Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Thatcher, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Thatcher, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
