Sacaton Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Pirtleville, AZ to Gilbert, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 28m
Distance
225.5 mi
363 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 16m
★
6 AM
4h 29m
8 AM
4h 56m
10 AM
4h 38m
12 PM
4h 36m
3 PM
4h 40m
5 PM
4h 54m
8 PM
4h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pirtleville, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Gilbert, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Pirtleville to Gilbert is 225.5 miles and takes about 4h 28m via Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, and AZ 80, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward path. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you make your way north. It's a manageable one-day trip, perfect if you're looking for an efficient connection between these two points without extensive planning.
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
112.7 miles from Pirtleville, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.5 mi | 55m |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 41.4 mi | 43m |
| AZ 80 | 31.5 mi | 42m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 24.1 mi | 24m |
| State Route 90 | 17.1 mi | 20m |
| Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway | 12.7 mi | 15m |
| South Gilbert Road | 9.3 mi | 15m |
| Huachuca Boulevard | 9 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pirtleville, AZ and Gilbert, AZ.
1
Start on this road
290 ft
·
23 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto West Pirtle Avenue
461 ft
·
22 sec
·
West Pirtle Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Douglas Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Douglas Avenue
4
Turn right onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
21 mi
·
26 min
·
AZ 80; US 80 Hist
5
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Douglas Road
6
Merge onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
10 mi
·
15 min
·
AZ 80; US 80 Hist
7
Turn left onto AZ 90
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
8
Continue on AZ 90
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Route 90
9
Continue on AZ 90
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
10
Turn right onto AZ 90
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
State Route 90 Bypass
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on AZ 90
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
State Route 90
12
Continue on AZ 90
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Huachuca Boulevard
13
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi
·
13 min
·
State Route 90
14
Continue on AZ 90
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Huachuca Boulevard
15
Continue on AZ 90
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South State Highway 90
16
Turn left
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
17
Merge onto I 10
41 mi
·
43 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 10
24 mi
·
24 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 175
Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto AZ 587
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
AZ 587
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
24
Continue on AZ 87
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Arizona Avenue
25
Turn right onto East Riggs Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
East Riggs Road
Use the left lane.
26
Turn left onto South Gilbert Road
9.3 mi
·
15 min
·
South Gilbert Road
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto East Cullumber Avenue
436 ft
·
21 sec
·
East Cullumber Avenue
28
Turn right onto North Elm Street
244 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Elm Street
29
Turn right
203 ft
·
14 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 28m duration, leaving Pirtleville in the morning should allow ample time to reach Gilbert before evening. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $45, this route is easy to manage. Pay attention to the transition points between highway and surface roads, as this is where your driving pace will most likely change. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 54.5 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, so plan your fuel and break needs accordingly before you hit that segment.
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 112.7 miles from Pirtleville, AZ, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 50 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.7 miles or 2h 20m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gilbert, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pirtleville, 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 Pirtleville, AZ
This is one driving day of about 225.5 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Pirtleville, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112.7 miles from Pirtleville, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Sacaton Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pride Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Xpress Fuel Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.8 mi from route
Villago Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Casa Grande, Arizona
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+15204218600
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 47.5 and 206.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
47.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass
Turn right onto AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
79.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Turn left toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
6
131.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
|
I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
206 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 175
Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
6
206.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
|
AZ 587
Turn left onto AZ 587
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.96 one way
$79.92 round trip
$4.50/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $42.79 | $85.58 |
| premium | $5.04 | $44.76 | $89.53 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $42.58 | $85.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.7 | 0 | $23.68 | $10.82 |
| Efficient EV | 56.4 | 0 | $19.73 | $9.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.2 | 1 | $31.57 | $14.43 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Origin
Pirtleville, AZ
Night in Pirtleville on Saturday
Local time
11:59 PM
MST
Current temp
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 3 to 8 mph
41% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Gilbert, AZ
Night in Gilbert on Saturday
Local time
11:59 PM
MST
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 mph
7% chance
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
9 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
4h 28m 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.
Saguaro National Park
National Park
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$25
near mile 108.8
View on nps.gov
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...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 194.4
View on nps.gov
Coronado National Memorial
National Memorial
It was a journey of conquest filled with exploration, wonder - and cruelty. Inspired by tales of vast cities of gold, 339 European soldiers and over a thousand Aztec allies embarked on an epic journey...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 46.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 35% of this 225.5-mile route is on highways, with the remaining portion on surface roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 54.5 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. Prepare for a transition from highway speeds to more local traffic as you move between these road types. The profile is mixed, so expect some sections of rural cruising and others with more frequent exits.
35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.5 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
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 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 47.5 miles in near AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 225.5 miles you will encounter 17 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 47.5 miles (AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.2 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,748 ft
1,217 ft
Total Climb
795 ft
Total Descent
3,532 ft
Highest Point
4,748 ft
~32.2 mi in
Elevation Range
3,532 ft
Notable High Points
4,748 ft at ~32.2 miles
+285 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Pirtleville, AZ to Gilbert, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscon along the way.
Tuscon
79.4 mi in
|
~1h 44m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Romeo's Euro Café
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Gilbert, AZ
Cuisine: european
Visit websiteBisbee Coffee Company
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Standard Waffle
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: waffle
Broxton's Coffee
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Gilbert, AZ
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteCafe Ole
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Pomo Pizzeria Gilbert
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Gilbert, AZ
Cuisine: pizza
Visit websiteCopper 48
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Gilbert, AZ
Cuisine: italian;western
Visit websiteLolo's Chicken and Waffles
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Gilbert, AZ
Cuisine: southern;wings;waffle
Visit websiteFlancer's Cafe
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Gilbert, AZ
Lulu's Taco Shop
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Gilbert, AZ
Monterey Court
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Tucson, AZ
Visit websiteBella Vista Neighborhood Park
Park
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Washington Mini Park Site
Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Eloy, AZ
Anthony's
Attraction
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Fifteenth Street Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Busby Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Gilbert Rodeo Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Iron Man
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Eliza Thurston
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Tucson Miracle Mile Neon Welcome Sign
Artwork
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Tropicana Motor Hotel Historic Neon Sign
Artwork
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Magic Carpet Golf Historic Neon Sign
Artwork
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Canyon State/The Arizonan Motel Historic Neon Sign
Artwork
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
The Bisbee Grand Hotel
Hotel
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Oasis Motel (Rodeway Inn)
Motel
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
The Block
Hotel
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Clarion Inn
Hotel
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
University Inn Tucson
Motel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Hotel La Hacienda
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Pirtleville, AZ
Full guide →Arriving in Gilbert, AZ
Full guide →Gilbert is in the southeast valley of the Greater Phoenix region of Arizona. With a population of 270,000 (2021 est.) it is the largest town in the US. people. Once a railway town and the "Hay Capital of the World", Gilbert is now a diverse suburban center, retaining its agricultural and railroad history and celebrating its "small town" feel.
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 4h 28m. Total distance: 225.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.5 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Gilbert, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 47.5 miles (AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.2 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Saguaro National Park, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Coronado National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Gilbert, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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