Peoria, AZ to Saint Johns, AZ is 234.2 miles and takes about 5h 5m via Globe-Show Low Highway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest, offering a straightforward drive through Arizona. Given it's a single-day route, it's ideal for those looking for an efficient way to cover ground without extensive planning. You'll primarily be on surface roads, so expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate experience. Consider this option if you prefer a less hurried drive with fewer major highway sections.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
117.1 miles from Peoria, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, AZ and Saint Johns, 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
8.8 mi·10 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 60
28 mi·32 min·US 60
Exit 154Toward US 60 East: Mesa, GlobeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·Live Oak Street
12
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
13
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
14
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·9 sec·East Oak Street
16
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·39 sec·South Hill Street
17
Turn left onto US 60
1.1 mi·2 min·East Ash Street
18
Turn left onto US 60; AZ 77
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·Globe-Show Low Highway
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
4.7 mi·9 min·West Deuce of Clubs
20
Continue on US 60
9.2 mi·11 min·Show Low-Springerville-East Highway
21
Turn left onto AZ 61
33 mi·49 min·Ortega Lake-St. Johns Highway
22
Turn straight onto US 180; AZ 61
0.2 mi·43 sec·Commercial Street
23
Turn right onto US 180; US 191
73 ft·1 sec·White Mountain Drive
24
Arrive at destination
US 180; US 191
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving Peoria in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move onto the surface roads, as services might be more spread out. The fuel cost is estimated at $48, so budget accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your departure time if needed, but an early start will ensure a comfortable arrival in Saint Johns.
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 117.1 miles from Peoria, AZ, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.5 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 52 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.1 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Johns, 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 234.2 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 Globe-Show Low Highway for about 83.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 22.9 — 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
8
22.9 mi into trip|~33m in|US 60
Take the exit onto US 60 toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
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 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.50 one way
$83.00 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$44.44
$88.89
premium
$5.04
$46.49
$92.98
diesel
$4.80
$44.22
$88.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.3
0
$24.59
$11.24
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.49
$9.37
EV Truck/SUV
93.7
1
$32.79
$14.99
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Peoria, AZ
Late night
in Peoria on Sunday
Local time
2:03 AM
MST
Current temp
77°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 mph78% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:29AM MST until July 17 at 6:30AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:52AM MST until July 17 at 5:00AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Destination
Saint Johns, AZ
Late night
in Saint Johns on Sunday
Local time
2:03 AM
MST
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
0 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:29AM MST until July 17 at 6:30AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:52AM MST until July 17 at 5:00AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
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
15 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
5h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
$10
near mile 88.9
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 64.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 19% of the drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 83.5 miles along the Globe-Show Low Highway. After that, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. You can expect a significant portion of this drive to be on less-trafficked roads, offering a chance for more rural cruising.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.5 mi on Globe-Show Low 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 early in the drive near US 60 / Grand Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
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 234.2 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: 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.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,623 ft1,107 ft
Total Climb
6,360 ft
Total Descent
1,820 ft
Highest Point
6,623 ft
~200.8 mi in
Elevation Range
5,516 ft
Notable High Points
4,033 ft at ~83.7 miles+604 ft prominence
5,281 ft at ~133.9 miles+239 ft prominence
6,623 ft at ~200.8 miles+61 ft prominence
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 Saint Johns, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe 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 5h 5m. Total distance: 234.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (19%). 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 83.5 miles on Globe-Show Low Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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.
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 8 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 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 — Tonto National Monument and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saint Johns, AZ before the return drive.
