Peoria, AZ to Linden, AZ is 181.8 miles and takes about 3h 52m via AZ 260, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive traverses the Desert Southwest, moving from the arid landscapes around Peoria into areas that may offer different scenery as you gain elevation. With a recommended one-day duration and a relatively short travel time, this route is well-suited for a straightforward trip. Consider this journey if you're looking for a manageable drive that transitions between distinct desert environments within Arizona.
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
90.9 miles from Peoria, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
AZ 260
80.2 mi
1h 45m
Beeline Highway
68.4 mi
1h 20m
Red Mountain Freeway
12.9 mi
15m
Grand Avenue
11.2 mi
19m
North Beeline Highway
4.5 mi
5m
Papago Freeway
2.4 mi
2m
North Country Club Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
AZ 260
— 80.2 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, AZ and Linden, 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
Continue on Grand Avenue
1.9 mi·3 min·Grand Avenue
4
Turn right onto North 19th Avenue
0.3 mi·46 sec·North 19th Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward I 10 East: TucsonUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
0.9 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·35 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
8
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.1 mi·7 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi·41 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop East
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
12 mi·14 min·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 13Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, PaysonUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto AZ 87
0.5 mi·1 min·North Country Club Drive
14
Continue on AZ 87
4.5 mi·5 min·North Beeline Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Continue on AZ 87
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto AZ 260
80 mi·1 hr 45 min·AZ 260
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right
115 ft·8 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 52m duration, starting your drive from Peoria in the morning is ideal, allowing ample time to reach Linden without feeling rushed. While only one stop is noted, it's wise to take advantage of any opportunities for fuel and rest, especially on the 80.2-mile stretch of AZ 260. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can become more spread out in certain sections. For this single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart when convenient, but planning around potential traffic leaving the Peoria area is a good idea.
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 90.9 miles from Peoria, AZ, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.2 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 40 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.9 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Linden, 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 181.8 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 AZ 260 for about 80.2 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 27.8 — 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
11.6 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Tucson
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
8
14.8 mi into trip|~24m in|Red Mountain Freeway
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
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 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
8
15.3 mi into trip|~25m in|Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
27.8 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the exit toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.22 one way
$72.43 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$38.33
$76.66
premium
$5.59
$40.02
$80.03
diesel
$5.61
$40.14
$80.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.5
0
$19.09
$8.73
Efficient EV
45.5
0
$15.91
$7.27
EV Truck/SUV
72.7
0
$25.45
$11.64
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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 17, 2026
Origin
Peoria, AZ
Late night
in Peoria on Tuesday
Local time
3:35 AM
MST
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Linden, AZ
Late night
in Linden on Tuesday
Local time
3:35 AM
MST
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Payson, AZ
91 mi in
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
50 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 52m 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.
Tonto National Monument
National Monument
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...
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
$10
near mile 56.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile, with 53% of the journey on highways, including stretches of the Beeline Highway and Red Mountain Freeway before transitioning to AZ 260. You'll experience a variety of road types, from faster freeway sections to potentially more winding two-lane highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 80.2 miles on AZ 260, offering a sustained period of driving without frequent turns or stops. Expect the character of the road to evolve as you move from more urban-adjacent areas into a more rural and potentially mountainous environment.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.2 mi on AZ 260.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort6/10
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 181.8 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 11.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Peoria, AZ to Linden, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Payson along the way.
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 3h 52m. Total distance: 181.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.2 miles on AZ 260. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Linden, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 60 / Grand Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Linden, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
