Phoenix to Cactus Flat is 170.7 miles and takes about 3 hours 47 minutes via US 60, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive remains within the Desert Southwest, staying within Arizona for its entirety. Expect a local driving experience with frequent turns rather than a straight shot on interstates. With just one recommended stop, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, offering a straightforward journey from one point in the desert to another.
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
85.3 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
71.2 mi
1h 28m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi
55m
US 60
31.9 mi
39m
Maricopa Freeway
6.5 mi
7m
South 1st Avenue
5.5 mi
9m
West Thatcher Boulevard
2.3 mi
4m
East Ash Street
2.3 mi
4m
North Broad Street
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Cactus Flat, AZ.
1
Start on West Washington Street
322 ft·18 sec·West Washington Street
2
Turn left onto South 1st Avenue
436 ft·9 sec·South 1st Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto South 1st Avenue
350 ft·14 sec·South 1st Avenue
4
Turn left onto West Madison Street
0.1 mi·31 sec·West Madison Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto South 1st Street
0.3 mi·55 sec·South 1st Street
6
Turn left onto East Lincoln Street
0.4 mi·1 min·East Lincoln Street
7
Turn right onto South 7th Street
0.9 mi·2 min·South 7th Street
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway
290 ft·8 sec·East Maricopa Freeway
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 17 South, US 60 EastUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 17; US 60
6.5 mi·7 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 60
28 mi·32 min·US 60
Exit 154Toward US 60 East: Mesa, GlobeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·Live Oak Street
14
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
15
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
16
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·9 sec·East Oak Street
18
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·39 sec·South Hill Street
19
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi·4 min·East Ash Street
20
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi·1 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
70 mi·1 hr 27 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
22
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
23
Continue on US 70
2.3 mi·4 min·West Thatcher Boulevard
24
Continue on US 70
0.5 mi·1 min·West 5th Street
25
Turn right onto US 191
5.4 mi·8 min·South 1st Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
US 191
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 47 minute drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim to depart Phoenix in the morning to allow ample time for the drive and any unexpected delays. The route has one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly. With a fuel cost estimated at $34, it's wise to fill up your tank before leaving Phoenix, as services might be spaced out. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 71.2-mile stretch on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination or the next available service.
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 85.3 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 38 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.3 miles or 1h 51m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cactus Flat, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, AZ
This is one driving day of about 170.7 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Phoenix, 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-Lordsburg Highway for about 71.2 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 8.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South 1st Avenue
Turn left onto South 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South 1st Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto South 1st Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
2 mi into trip|~5m in|East Maricopa Freeway
Turn left onto East Maricopa Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
2 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 17 South, US 60 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 17 South, US 60 East
8
8.8 mi into trip|~13m 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
$34.01 one way
$68.01 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$35.99
$71.98
premium
$5.59
$37.57
$75.15
diesel
$5.61
$37.69
$75.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.2
0
$17.92
$8.19
Efficient EV
42.7
0
$14.94
$6.83
EV Truck/SUV
68.3
0
$23.90
$10.92
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Phoenix, AZ
Night
in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cactus Flat, AZ
Night
in Cactus Flat on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
MST
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Miami, AZ
85 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
39 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 47m 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.
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 47.1
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
~55 min detour
$10
near mile 76.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll navigate a series of roads rather than a single, continuous highway. Only 23% of the drive is on highways, so be prepared for more variable speed limits and frequent changes in direction. The longest stretch without a turn is 71.2 miles along the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. This suggests a route that winds through local landscapes, potentially offering a more intimate connection with the terrain as you go.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.2 mi on Globe-Lordsburg Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South 1st 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 170.7 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (East Maricopa Freeway): 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 Phoenix, AZ to Cactus Flat, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Globe along the way.
Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona, the most populous city in the American Southwest. Warm and sunny winter weather have ensured a thriving tourism industry, and the city has become the region's primary political, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is extremely hot and dry in the summertime, so always have sunscreen with you! It had about 1,625,000 residents in 2021, and is the fifth largest city in the United States.
Top landmarks
•Arizona State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Arizona
•Phoenix Art Museum — art museum in Phoenix, Arizona
•St. Mary's Basilica — Roman Catholic church in Phoenix, Arizona
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 170.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.2 miles on Globe-Lordsburg 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.
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 Cactus Flat, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (South 1st Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (East Maricopa Freeway): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Cactus Flat, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
