Peoria, AZ to San Carlos, AZ is 126 miles and takes about 2h 50m via Phoenix–Globe Highway and US 60, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest, offering a straightforward drive across Arizona. With a recommended one-day duration, it’s a manageable journey for most drivers. Expect a mixed driving profile, so be prepared for varying road conditions and speeds. The relatively short distance and clear route make it an easy addition to a larger Arizona adventure or a standalone excursion.
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
63 miles from Peoria, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi
55m
US 60
32.4 mi
41m
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
17.9 mi
22m
Grand Avenue
9.3 mi
16m
Maricopa Freeway
8.8 mi
10m
Indian Route 170
3.6 mi
6m
Black Canyon Freeway
3.5 mi
4m
East Ash Street
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Phoenix–Globe Highway
— 43 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Peoria, AZ and San Carlos, 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
2.3 mi·4 min·East Ash Street
18
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi·1 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
17 mi·20 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
20
Turn left onto BIA 170
0.2 mi·19 sec·Indian Route 170
21
At end of road, turn left onto BIA 170
3.4 mi·5 min·Indian Route 170
22
Keep slight left at fork onto Aravaipa Road
0.2 mi·22 sec·Aravaipa Road
23
Arrive at destination
Aravaipa Road
Trip Plan
Given its 2h 50m duration, this is a perfect one-day trip, allowing for a relaxed start. Leaving Peoria in the morning means you'll arrive in San Carlos with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it brief or extend it slightly depending on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a significant break is 43 miles on the Phoenix–Globe Highway; it’s wise to fuel up before departing Peoria or upon reaching Globe if needed. The $25 fuel estimate suggests it's an economical drive.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63 miles from Peoria, AZ, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43 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 28 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63 miles or 1h 21m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Carlos, 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 126 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 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 Phoenix–Globe Highway for about 43 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 15
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
$25.73 one way
$51.46 round trip
$5.19/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$27.37
$54.75
premium
$5.72
$28.37
$56.74
diesel
$5.35
$26.54
$53.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.8
0
$13.23
$6.05
Efficient EV
31.5
0
$11.03
$5.04
EV Truck/SUV
50.4
0
$17.64
$8.06
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Peoria, AZ
Afternoon
in Peoria on Wednesday
Local time
4:03 PM
MST
Current temp
102°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
San Carlos, AZ
Afternoon
in San Carlos on Wednesday
Local time
4:03 PM
MST
Current temp
100°F
Sunny
WSW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
2 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
2h 50m 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
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 60.8
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$10
near mile 86.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a mixed driving experience, with about 38% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Phoenix–Globe Highway and US 60, which can vary in speed and terrain. The longest uninterrupted segment is approximately 43 miles along the Phoenix–Globe Highway. While not an entirely monotonous drive, it’s not characterized by constant scenic vistas; rather, it's a practical connection between two points in the Desert Southwest. Be ready for shifts in road type as you progress toward San Carlos.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43 mi on Phoenix–Globe Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 60 / Grand Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 126 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
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
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,286 ft1,115 ft
Total Climb
3,171 ft
Total Descent
1,670 ft
Highest Point
4,286 ft
~90 mi in
Elevation Range
3,171 ft
Notable High Points
4,286 ft at ~90 miles+633 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 San Carlos, 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 2h 50m. Total distance: 126 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (38%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43 miles on Phoenix–Globe Highway. 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 San Carlos, 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 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 and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at San Carlos, AZ before heading back.
