Origin
Payson, AZ
Evening in Payson on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
MST
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Payson, AZ to Chandler, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
83.2 mi
134 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 36m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Payson, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Chandler, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Payson to Chandler is 83.2 miles and takes about 1 hour 44 minutes via South Beeline Highway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Desert Southwest, moving from one area to another within Arizona. Expect a route with many turns, characteristic of local driving rather than a straight shot on major highways. It's a straightforward trip suitable for a single day, especially if you're looking for a less highway-intensive journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.6 miles from Payson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Beeline Highway | 72.4 mi | 1h 25m |
| North Country Club Drive | 6.8 mi | 12m |
| North Arizona Avenue | 4 mi | 6m |
| East Chandler Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
South Beeline Highway
— 72.4 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Payson, AZ and Chandler, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 87
72 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
2
Continue on AZ 87
6.8 mi
·
12 min
·
North Country Club Drive
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on AZ 87
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North Arizona Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto East Chandler Boulevard
149 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Chandler Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Arrive at destination
East Chandler Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this trip offers flexibility, making it ideal for a single-day excursion. You can depart anytime, but consider starting in the morning to allow for any unforeseen delays or to enjoy the scenery without rushing. The estimated fuel cost is around $17, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave Payson, as there are no designated stops mentioned. Pay attention to the road signage as you transition between South Beeline Highway and the local roads leading into Chandler.
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 41.6 miles from Payson, AZ, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.4 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 18 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.6 miles or 48m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chandler, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Payson, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Payson, AZ
This is one driving day of about 83.2 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Payson, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on South Beeline Highway for about 72.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.6 miles from Payson, 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 72.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
2 of 22 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 83.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway
Depart onto AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
83.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
East Chandler Boulevard
Turn left onto East Chandler Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.57 one way
$33.15 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $17.54 | $35.08 |
| premium | $5.59 | $18.31 | $36.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.37 | $36.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25 | 0 | $8.74 | $3.99 |
| Efficient EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.28 | $3.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.65 | $5.32 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Chandler, AZ
Evening in Chandler on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
MST
Current temp
90°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
46 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
1h 44m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is described as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' indicating you'll encounter frequent changes in direction rather than long stretches of high-speed highway. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating local roads for the entire 83.2 miles. The longest continuous segment is 72.4 miles on the South Beeline Highway, offering a substantial period of consistent driving before transitioning. Be prepared for a more engaging experience behind the wheel, requiring your attention to navigate the various turns and road names like North Country Club Drive and North Arizona Avenue.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
5 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.4 mi on South Beeline Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Payson, AZ to Chandler, AZ is easy. At 1h 44m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 83.2 miles (East Chandler Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Payson, AZ
Full guide →Payson is a town in Gila County, Arizona. Known as the "Heart of Arizona," it is a gateway to the Colorado Plateau and the Mogollon Rim in Northern and Eastern Arizona.
Arriving in Chandler, AZ
Full guide →Chandler is a city in Arizona, and a medium-sized suburb of Phoenix with over 240,000 residents. It is a delightful place to visit.
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 1h 44m. Total distance: 83.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.4 miles on South Beeline Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: near the start (AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 83.2 miles (East Chandler Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Chandler, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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