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Trip from Peoria, AZ to Arivaca Junction, AZ

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 1m

Distance

162.2 mi

261 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 50m ★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 23m
8 PM
2h 54m

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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city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Peoria, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Arivaca Junction, AZ, AZ

Arivaca Junction, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

This 162.2-mile drive from Peoria, AZ, to Arivaca Junction, AZ, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 1 minute to complete. You'll primarily be on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, and Nogales–Tucson Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Desert Southwest region. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local and less highway-intensive experience. One stop is recommended along the way, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or a leg of a longer adventure.

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

81.1 miles from Peoria, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway 54.6 mi 55m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway 37.8 mi 38m
Nogales–Tucson Highway 33 mi 37m
Maricopa Freeway 16.3 mi 18m
Grand Avenue 9.3 mi 16m
North Freeway 5.4 mi 6m
Black Canyon Freeway 3.5 mi 4m
US 60 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Casa Grande-Tucson Highway — 54.6 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, AZ and Arivaca Junction, AZ.

1

Start on North 83rd Avenue

128 ft · 8 sec · North 83rd Avenue
2

Turn right onto US 60

9.3 mi · 16 min · Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
3

Take the exit onto US 60

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 60
Toward 27th Avenue
4

Turn left onto US 60

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Thomas Road
Use the left / slight left lanes.
5

Turn right onto US 60

0.3 mi · 28 sec · North Black Canyon Highway
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 17 South
7

Merge onto I 17; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 17; US 60

16 mi · 18 min · Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 10

38 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 10

55 mi · 55 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 10

5.4 mi · 6 min · North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 37 sec
Exit 260 Toward I 19 South: Nogales Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 19

33 mi · 37 min · Nogales–Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward Arivaca Road
15

Turn right onto West Arivaca Road

0.1 mi · 18 sec · West Arivaca Road
16

Continue on West Arivaca Road

424 ft · 8 sec · West Arivaca Road
17

Arrive at destination

West Arivaca Road

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of just over 3 hours, this 162.2-mile trip offers flexibility. You can depart anytime, but starting in the morning will give you ample daylight and time for your single recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 54.6-mile stretch on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, as services might be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost is $32, so plan accordingly. Paying attention to the frequent turns is key to a smooth drive on this route.

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 81.1 miles from Peoria, AZ, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 36 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 81.1 miles or 1h 33m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arivaca Junction, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Peoria, 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 Peoria, AZ

This is one driving day of about 162.2 miles and 3h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Peoria, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Sun Lakes, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sun Lakes, AZ

81 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

Sun Lakes, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Arizona City, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.1 miles from Peoria, 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.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 23.2

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+14805657081

Visit website

Titan Missile Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 150.6

Green Valley, Arizona

Hours: 9:45 am–5 pm

+15209341863

Visit website

Enchanted Island Amusement Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 11.6

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+16022541200

Visit website

Arizona History Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 127.4

Tucson, Arizona

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+15206285774

Visit website

Villago Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 57.9

Casa Grande, Arizona

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+15204218600

Visit website

Arizona Science Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 11.6

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+16027162000

Visit website

Tempe Festival of the Arts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 23.2

Tempe, Arizona

+14803556060

Visit website

Tempe Town Lake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 23.2

Tempe, Arizona

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 128.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 60 / Grand Avenue

Turn right onto US 60 / Grand Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
9.9 mi into trip | ~17m in | US 60 / West Thomas Road

Turn left onto US 60 / West Thomas Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / slight left lanes.
5
10.1 mi into trip | ~18m in | US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway

Turn right onto US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway

Navigation decision point

5
10.4 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward I 17 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 17 South
7
128.2 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in

Take the exit toward I 19 South: Nogales

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 260 Toward I 19 South: Nogales

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.31 one way

$64.62 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $34.20 $68.39
premium $5.59 $35.70 $71.41
diesel $5.61 $35.81 $71.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.7 0 $17.03 $7.79
Efficient EV 40.6 0 $14.19 $6.49
EV Truck/SUV 64.9 0 $22.71 $10.38

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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 16, 2026

Origin

Peoria, AZ

Afternoon in Peoria on Sunday

Local time

1:21 PM

MST

Current temp

88°F

Partly Sunny

SSE 0 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 3:13AM PDT until April 17 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 3:13AM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV

Destination

Arivaca Junction, AZ

Afternoon in Arivaca Junction on Sunday

Local time

1:21 PM

MST

Current temp

48°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

40 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 1m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

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 ~27 min detour Free near mile 61.5
View on nps.gov
Tumacácori National Historical Park

Tumacácori National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Tumacácori sits at a cultural crossroads in the Santa Cruz River valley. Here O’odham, Yaqui, and Apache people met and mingled with European Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries, settlers, and soldiers...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour $10 near mile 162.2
View on nps.gov
Saguaro National Park

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...

13 mi from route ~33 min detour $25 near mile 128.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for this 162.2-mile journey. While 16% of the route involves highway driving, the overall feel is more about navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.6 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. This suggests a drive that will require your attention with frequent adjustments rather than long periods of cruising on a single major interstate. The road's personality will likely shift as you transition between different local and highway segments.

Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.6 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 60 / Grand Avenue.

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 162.2 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (US 60 / Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (US 60 / West Thomas Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles (US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Starting in Peoria, AZ

Full guide →

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

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 3h 1m. Total distance: 162.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (16%). 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 54.6 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson 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.

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: near the start (US 60 / Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (US 60 / West Thomas Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles (US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point.

Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Tumacácori National Historical Park and Saguaro National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Arivaca Junction, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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