Sacaton Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Oro Valley, AZ to Gilbert, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
100.7 mi
162 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
20 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oro Valley, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Gilbert, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Oro Valley to Gilbert is 100.7 miles and takes about 2 hours 2 minutes via Casa Grande-Tucson Highway and South Gilbert Road, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward drive between two growing communities. You'll mostly encounter surface roads, making it a less demanding travel day. Given its relatively short distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.3 miles from Oro Valley, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 46.3 mi | 46m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 24.1 mi | 24m |
| South Gilbert Road | 9.3 mi | 15m |
| AZ 587 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| West Magee Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| West Cortaro Farms Road | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| East Riggs Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| North Oracle Road | 2.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 46.3 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oro Valley, AZ and Gilbert, AZ.
1
Start on West Oro Place
249 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Oro Place
2
Turn left onto North Valle del Oro Drive
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Valle del Oro Drive
3
Turn right onto West Greenock Drive
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Greenock Drive
4
Turn right onto AZ 77; US 80 Hist
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
North Oracle Road
5
Turn right onto West Magee Road
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
West Magee Road
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on West Cortaro Farms Road
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
West Cortaro Farms Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto North Casa Grande Highway
176 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Casa Grande Highway
8
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 246
Toward I 10 West
9
Merge onto I 10
46 mi
·
46 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
24 mi
·
24 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 175
Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto AZ 587
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
AZ 587
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Continue on AZ 87
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Arizona Avenue
14
Turn right onto East Riggs Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East Riggs Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto South Gilbert Road
9.3 mi
·
15 min
·
South Gilbert Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto East Cullumber Avenue
436 ft
·
21 sec
·
East Cullumber Avenue
17
Turn right onto North Elm Street
244 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Elm Street
18
Turn right
203 ft
·
14 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a 2-hour drive and a $20 fuel estimate, this is a trip you can easily complete in one day, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid rush hour. The route is mostly surface roads, so keep an eye on posted speed limits as you navigate through various towns and intersections. Plan for a brief stop for gas before you leave Oro Valley, as the $20 fuel budget is an estimate and it's always wise to start with a full tank. Since the drive is short, you have the flexibility to make an impromptu stop if something catches your eye along the way.
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 50.3 miles from Oro Valley, AZ, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.3 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 22 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.3 miles or 59m 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 32m
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 Oro Valley, 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 Oro Valley, AZ
This is one driving day of about 100.7 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Oro Valley, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 46.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.3 miles from Oro Valley, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Sacaton Rest Area
0 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pride Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Xpress Fuel Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Oro Valley Archery Range
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Oro Valley, Arizona
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+15202295050
Visit websiteVillago Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
mile 71.9
Casa Grande, Arizona
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+15204218600
Visit websiteWestern National Parks Association (WNPA) - The National Parks Store
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Oro Valley, Arizona
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+15206226014
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 3.1 and 88.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
West Magee Road
Turn right onto West Magee Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
10.8 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Merge onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
81.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 175
Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
6
81.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
AZ 587
Turn left onto AZ 587
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
88.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
East Riggs Road
Turn right onto East Riggs Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.06 one way
$40.12 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $21.23 | $42.46 |
| premium | $5.59 | $22.17 | $44.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.23 | $44.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
20 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Circle K - Tesla Supercharger
Eloy, AZ
Tesla
28 DCFC
The Marketplace at Marana - Tesla Supercharger
Tucson, AZ
Tesla
16 DCFC
TA, Sunland Gin Rd, Eloy, AZ
Eloy, AZ
BP_PULSE
16 DCFC
Starbucks - Tesla Supercharger
Tucson, AZ
Tesla
12 DCFC
La Encantada - Tesla Supercharger
Tucson, AZ
Tesla
10 DCFC
Tucson Premium Outlets (Tucson, AZ)
Tucson, AZ
Electrify America
10 DCFC
Target Tucson #T0854
Tucson, AZ
eVgo Network
6 DCFC
Culver's - Tesla Supercharger
Casa Grande, AZ
Tesla
6 DCFC
Tesla: 5
Electrify America: 3
RED_E: 3
ChargePoint Network: 2
eVgo Network: 2
Blink Network: 1
Non-Networked: 1
FORD_CHARGE: 1
IN_CHARGE: 1
BP_PULSE: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.57 | $4.83 |
| Efficient EV | 25.2 | 0 | $8.81 | $4.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.10 | $6.44 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Origin
Oro Valley, AZ
Night in Oro Valley on Saturday
Local time
10:59 PM
MST
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gilbert, AZ
Night in Gilbert on Saturday
Local time
10:59 PM
MST
Current temp
89°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
32 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
2h 2m 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...
11 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 66
View on nps.gov
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
$25
near mile 3.5
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 involves 6% highway travel, meaning you'll primarily be on surface roads for the 100.7-mile stretch. The longest continuous section on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway spans 46.3 miles, offering a consistent cruising experience before transitioning to other surface roads. Expect to navigate through suburban and exurban areas, with frequent intersections and changes in speed limits as you approach your destination.
Only 6% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.3 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 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near West Magee Road.
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 100.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 3.1 miles (West Magee Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
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 2h 2m. Total distance: 100.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (6%). 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 46.3 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: at 3.1 miles (West Magee Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.8 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gilbert, 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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