Morenci, AZ to Peoria, AZ is 233.9 miles and takes about 5h 41m via East Center Street and Superstition Freeway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest, moving from one part of Arizona to another. Expect a route that is primarily surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the landscape rather than high-speed travel. With a single recommended stop and a duration under six hours, it's a manageable day trip, but consider the time of year for comfort in the desert heat.
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
117 miles from Morenci, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East Center Street
66.5 mi
1h 21m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
42.9 mi
55m
Superstition Freeway
27.1 mi
31m
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
14.7 mi
20m
Safford-Springerville Highway
13.3 mi
15m
US 191 Temp
12.8 mi
20m
Grand Avenue
11.1 mi
19m
Coronado Boulevard
10.3 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
East Center Street
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morenci, AZ and Peoria, AZ.
1
Start on this road
1.3 mi·8 min·this road
2
Turn sharp right
1.2 mi·8 min
3
Turn right
0.5 mi·3 min
4
Turn sharp right
1.0 mi·6 min
5
At end of road, turn right
0.3 mi·2 min
6
Turn sharp left onto US 191 Temp
3.9 mi·11 min·Coronado Trail
7
Continue on US 191 Temp
13 mi·20 min·US 191 Temp
8
Turn straight onto US 191
10 mi·12 min·Coronado Boulevard
9
Continue on US 191
13 mi·15 min·Safford-Springerville Highway
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 70; US 191
10 mi·13 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
11
Turn left onto US 191
403 ft·11 sec·South 1st Avenue
12
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
13
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
436 ft·16 sec·South 8th Avenue
14
Turn left onto US 70
2.3 mi·4 min·West Thatcher Boulevard
15
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
16
Continue on US 70
4.7 mi·6 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
17
Continue on US 70
66 mi·1 hr 21 min·East Center Street
18
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
2.3 mi·4 min·East Ash Street
19
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Hill Street
20
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·11 sec·East Oak Street
21
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·North Broad Street
22
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
23
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
24
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·West Live Oak Street
25
Continue on US 60
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
27 mi·31 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
0.6 mi·38 sec·US 60
Toward I 10 North
28
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.9 mi·5 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·Papago Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.7 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
32
Continue on I 10
0.9 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 143CToward 19th Avenue, Grand AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Turn right onto North 19th Avenue
0.3 mi·35 sec·North 19th Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
35
Turn slight left onto Grand Avenue
11 mi·19 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left / slight left lanes.
36
Turn left onto West Jefferson Street
51 ft·1 sec·West Jefferson Street
Use the left lane.
37
Continue on West Jefferson Street
66 ft·2 sec·West Jefferson Street
38
Turn right onto North 82nd Avenue
0.1 mi·35 sec·North 82nd Avenue
39
Turn right onto North 83rd Avenue
77 ft·2 sec·North 83rd Avenue
40
Arrive at destination
North 83rd Avenue
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Morenci in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid the peak heat of the day, especially during warmer months. While this 5h 41m trip is doable in one day, the longest stretch on surface roads is 66.5 miles, so plan for a potential mid-drive break around that point. The fuel cost is estimated at $46, so be sure to fuel up before leaving Morenci as services may be more spread out once you're on the longer surface road sections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you transition from highway segments to the predominantly surface road profile.
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 117 miles from Morenci, AZ, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 51 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117 miles or 3h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Peoria, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Morenci, 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 Morenci, AZ
This is one driving day of about 233.9 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Morenci, 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 East Center Street for about 66.5 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 222.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.3 mi into trip|~8m in
Turn sharp right
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
216 mi into trip|~5h 13m 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.
6
217.9 mi into trip|~5h 15m 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.
8
222 mi into trip|~5h 20m in
Take the exit toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue
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 143C
Toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue
6
222.4 mi into trip|~5h 21m in|North 19th Avenue
Turn right onto North 19th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.45 one way
$82.90 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$44.39
$88.77
premium
$5.04
$46.43
$92.86
diesel
$4.80
$44.16
$88.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.2
0
$24.56
$11.23
Efficient EV
58.5
0
$20.47
$9.36
EV Truck/SUV
93.6
1
$32.75
$14.97
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Morenci, AZ
Late night
in Morenci on Sunday
Local time
2:12 AM
MST
Current temp
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 1 to 12 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:08AM MST until July 18 at 12:30PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Peoria, AZ
Late night
in Peoria on Sunday
Local time
2:12 AM
MST
Current temp
96°F
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNE 5 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:08AM MST until July 18 at 12:30PM 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
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 41m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 169.4
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 145.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 23% of this 233.9-mile drive on highways, meaning much of your time will be on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 66.5 miles on East Center Street. Prepare for a significant amount of driving on surface streets, which often means navigating through towns and dealing with varying speed limits. Given the 'mostly surface roads' profile, expect more frequent intersections and a slower pace compared to a pure freeway route.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.5 mi on East Center Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 1.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 233.9 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 1.3 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 216 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.9 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Peoria is a city inside of Phoenix, Arizona. Many visitors come to the area during the spring to see their favorite professional baseball team during Spring Training in the Cactus League.
Top landmarks
•Central School — school building in Peoria, Arizona
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 41m. Total distance: 233.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.5 miles on East Center Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas 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 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 Peoria, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 216 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.9 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Peoria, AZ before the return drive.
