Origin
Phoenix, AZ
Late night in Phoenix on Tuesday
Local time
3:59 AM
MST
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Sells, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
132.9 mi
214 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 37m
★
6 AM
2h 48m
8 AM
3h 10m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Phoenix, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Sells, AZ
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
Phoenix to Sells is 132.9 miles and takes about 2 hours 48 minutes via Indian Route 15, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest region of Arizona, offering a straightforward drive. The route is mostly surface roads with a good portion on highways, making it a practical option for a quick excursion. You'll be spending a little under three hours on the road, so it's easily manageable for a single day. Plan for a fuel cost around $26 for this drive.
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
66.5 miles from Phoenix, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Route 15 | 46.8 mi | 1h 4m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 36.8 mi | 37m |
| North Tucson-Ajo Highway | 21.2 mi | 24m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 14 mi | 16m |
| South Chuichu Road | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| Phoenix Bypass Route | 3 mi | 3m |
| West Hanna Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| South 7th Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Indian Route 15
— 46.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Phoenix, AZ and Sells, 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 East
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 17; US 60
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
37 mi
·
37 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 199
Toward I 8 West: San Diego
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 8
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Phoenix Bypass Route
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 174
Toward Trekell Road
15
Turn left onto South Trekell Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Trekell Road
16
Turn right onto West Hanna Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Hanna Street
17
Turn left onto South Chuichu Road
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
South Chuichu Road
18
Continue on BIA 15
47 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
Indian Route 15
19
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 86
21 mi
·
24 min
·
North Tucson-Ajo Highway
20
Turn right onto BIA 19
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
San Miguel Road
21
Turn straight onto Main Road
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Main Road
22
Turn right
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
23
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 48 minute driving time, this route is best tackled as a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Starting in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid any potential issues with limited services later in the day. You'll have one significant stretch of 46.8 miles on Indian Route 15, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. There's only one stop indicated, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps before you hit that longer stretch. The fuel cost is estimated at $26, so keep that in mind for your budget.
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 66.5 miles from Phoenix, AZ, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.8 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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.5 miles or 1h 19m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sells, 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 132.9 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 Indian Route 15 for about 46.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.5 miles from Phoenix, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 53.1 — 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
7
53.1 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward I 8 West: San Diego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 199
Toward I 8 West: San Diego
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.48 one way
$52.95 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $28.02 | $56.04 |
| premium | $5.59 | $29.25 | $58.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.34 | $58.69 |
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: 46.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.9 | 0 | $13.95 | $6.38 |
| Efficient EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.63 | $5.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.61 | $8.51 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Sells, AZ
Late night in Sells on Tuesday
Local time
3:59 AM
MST
Current temp
85°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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 48m 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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 45.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a 46% highway share, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your time on higher-speed roads before transitioning to surface streets. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 46.8 miles on Indian Route 15. Expect the road surface to change as you progress, moving from highway conditions to more varied surfaces. The transition between highway and surface roads will be noticeable as you navigate through different types of terrain.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.8 mi on Indian Route 15.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 around 0.1 miles in near South 1st Avenue.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 132.9 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: 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.
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Phoenix, AZ
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteCartel Coffee Lab
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Phoenix, AZ
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Chandler, AZ
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 04:30-21:00; Sa,Su 05:30-21:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Corner Bakery
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Paradise Hawaiian BBQ
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Phoenix, AZ
Cuisine: hawaiian
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:30-14:30
Visit websiteHanney's
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Phoenix, AZ
Hours: Mo 17:00-24:00; Tu-Fr 11:30-24:00; Sa,Su...
Visit websiteCentrico
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Phoenix, AZ
Cuisine: mexican
Visit websitePotbelly
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Cuisine: sandwich
Visit websitePanda Express
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Phoenix, AZ
Cuisine: chinese
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-20:00; Su 10:00-20:00
Visit websiteSteve's Greenhouse Grill
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Phoenix, AZ
Cuisine: burger
Tocha Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Kana Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Chiwap Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Berney Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Casa Grande Mountain Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Rio Salado Industrial Recreation Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Phoenix Police Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Phoenix, AZ
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-15:00
Visit websiteGeorge Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Phoenix, AZ
Visit websiteRelease the Fear
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
USS Arizona Monument
Monument
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Phoenix Cancer Survivors
Monument
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Mormon Battalion Historical Monument
Memorial
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Phoenix, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1868
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
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 2h 48m. Total distance: 132.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). 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 46.8 miles on Indian Route 15. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Sells, 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. 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 Sells, AZ before heading back.
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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