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Trip from Payson, AZ to Surprise, 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 12m

Distance

102.9 mi

166 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 3m ★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 31m
10 AM
2h 19m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 20m
5 PM
2h 30m
8 PM
2h 7m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Gila County, Arizona, United States

Payson, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Surprise, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 103-mile drive from Payson, AZ, to Surprise, AZ, will take approximately 1 hour and 51 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, this is an easy day trip. You'll primarily navigate local roads, with no highway driving involved, making it a straightforward journey through the Desert Southwest. The route is characterized by frequent turns, so keep your navigation handy. Given its short duration and manageable distance, this trip is best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

51.5 miles from Payson, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
South Beeline Highway 61.1 mi 1h 12m
Pima Freeway 13.9 mi 16m
Agua Fria Freeway 8.3 mi 9m
East Shea Boulevard 7.8 mi 12m
West Bell Road 4.9 mi 9m
North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard 4.9 mi 8m
North El Mirage Road 0.6 mi 1m
West Paradise Lane 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: South Beeline Highway — 61.1 mi, about 1h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Payson, AZ and Surprise, AZ.

1

Start on AZ 87

61 mi · 1 hr 12 min · South Beeline Highway
2

Turn right onto East Shea Boulevard

7.8 mi · 12 min · East Shea Boulevard
Use the right lane.
3

Turn right onto North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard

4.9 mi · 8 min · North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4

Turn right onto North Pima Road

0.1 mi · 12 sec · North Pima Road
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
6

Merge onto AZ 101 Loop

14 mi · 16 min · Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7

Continue on AZ 101 Loop

8.3 mi · 9 min · Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 34 sec
Exit 14 Toward Bell Road Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 9 sec
Toward Bell Road, Surprise Stadium Use the right lane.
10

Turn straight onto West Bell Road

4.9 mi · 9 min · West Bell Road
Use the left lane.
11

Turn left onto North El Mirage Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · North El Mirage Road
Use the left lane.
12

Turn right onto West Paradise Lane

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Paradise Lane
13

Turn left onto North Nash Street

88 ft · 3 sec · North Nash Street
14

Arrive at destination

North Nash Street

Trip Plan

For this 103-mile trip, consider an early morning departure from Payson to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach Surprise. Since the drive is only 1 hour and 51 minutes and has no extended highway stretches, you won't need to worry about long periods without services. The estimated fuel cost is $21, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave Payson. Pay close attention to your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making frequent turns. There are no designated stops, so plan any breaks as needed 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 51.5 miles from Payson, AZ, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.1 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 23 miles or 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 51.5 miles or 1h 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 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surprise, 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.

+

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 Payson, AZ

This is one driving day of about 102.9 miles and 2h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 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 61.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Pinal and Maricopa counties in Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Apache Junction, AZ

51 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

Tonto Basin, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Apache Junction, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.5 miles from Payson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before South Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.1 miles.

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.

Top Restaurant

Delicious! Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Payson, Arizona

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+19284683013

Visit website

Mimi's Cafe

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Glendale, Arizona

1.4 mi

Delicious! Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Payson, Arizona

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+19284683013

Visit website

Mimi's Cafe

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 95.6

Glendale, Arizona

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16239794500

Visit website

McDowell Mountain Ranch Park & Aquatic Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 73.5

Scottsdale, Arizona

Hours: 6 am–7:30 pm

+14803126677

Visit website

Desert Dog Offroad Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 58.8

Fountain Hills, Arizona

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+14808373966

Visit website

Hurricane Harbor Phoenix

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 88.2

Glendale, Arizona

Hours: Closed

+16232012000

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 80.9

Scottsdale, Arizona

Hours: 12–8 pm

+19283610038

Visit website

Arizona River Runners

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 80.9

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+18004777238

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 61.1 and 96.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
61.1 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in | East Shea Boulevard

Turn right onto East Shea Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
4
68.9 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard

Turn right onto North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
74.3 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in | AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway

Merge onto AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
96.4 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Take the exit toward Bell Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 14 Toward Bell Road
8
96.8 mi into trip | ~2h in

Keep slight right at fork toward Bell Road, Surprise Stadium

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward Bell Road, Surprise Stadium

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.50 one way

$41.00 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $21.69 $43.39
premium $5.59 $22.65 $45.30
diesel $5.61 $22.72 $45.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 36 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.9 0 $10.80 $4.94
Efficient EV 25.7 0 $9.00 $4.12
EV Truck/SUV 41.2 0 $14.41 $6.59

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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 15, 2026

Origin

Payson, AZ

Night in Payson on Saturday

Local time

9:16 PM

MST

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Surprise, AZ

Night in Surprise on Saturday

Local time

9:16 PM

MST

Current temp

88°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

44 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 12m 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?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 103-mile route. With a 0% highway share, you'll be navigating city streets and local thoroughfares for the full 1 hour and 51 minutes. There isn't a longest uninterrupted stretch of road to note, as the nature of this drive involves consistent directional changes. The road's personality is defined by its urban and suburban landscape, requiring your constant attention to navigation and traffic signals. This is less of a scenic cruise and more of a functional transit between two points.

Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.1 mi on South Beeline 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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 61.1 miles in near East Shea Boulevard.

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 102.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 61.1 miles (East Shea Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 68.9 miles (North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.3 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Payson, AZ to Surprise, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Surprise Stadium along the way.

Surprise Stadium

96.8 mi in | ~2h

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 Surprise, AZ

Full guide →

Sun City is a suburb 20 miles (30km) northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was built as a planned retirement community in Maricopa County in the 1960s. An adjacent retirement community Sun City West was built in the late 1970s; there is also a Sun City Grand. Directly northwest of the three "Sun City" suburbs is Surprise, Arizona.

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 12m. Total distance: 102.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (22%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 61.1 miles on South Beeline 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 61.1 miles (East Shea Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 68.9 miles (North Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.3 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Surprise, 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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