This 202.5-mile drive from San Luis, AZ to Glendale, AZ takes approximately 3 hours and 55 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on the Blue Star Memorial Highway, Arizona State Highway 85, and the Robert A. Vaughan Expressway. With a fuel cost estimated at $41, this route through the Desert Southwest offers a straightforward journey. It's a practical option for getting from one point in Arizona to another without needing an overnight stop.
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
101.2 miles from San Luis, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
106.2 mi
1h 49m
Arizona State Highway 85
28.1 mi
32m
Robert A. Vaughan Expressway
20.9 mi
24m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
11.7 mi
12m
Papago Freeway
8.1 mi
9m
West Glendale Avenue
4.9 mi
10m
East Cesar Chavez Boulevard
4.5 mi
7m
Agua Fria Freeway
4.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 106.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Luis, AZ and Glendale, AZ.
1
Start on Urtuzuastegui Street
20 ft·0 sec·Urtuzuastegui Street
2
Enter roundabout onto US 95
7 ft·0 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on US 95
0.2 mi·27 sec·Main Street
4
Turn right onto East C Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·East C Street
5
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
0.3 mi·31 sec·4th Avenue
6
Turn right onto East Cesar Chavez Boulevard
4.5 mi·7 min·East Cesar Chavez Boulevard
7
Continue on AZ 195
21 mi·24 min·Robert A. Vaughan Expressway
8
Continue on AZ 195
0.5 mi·31 sec·South Araby Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Enter roundabout
113 ft·1 sec
10
Continue
0.4 mi·54 sec
11
Merge onto I 8
106 mi·1 hr 49 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
12
Take the exit onto I 8 Business
0.2 mi·29 sec·I 8 Business
Toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo
13
Continue on I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
3.3 mi·6 min·East Pima Street
Toward AZ-85: Phoenix, Gilda Bend
14
Continue on AZ 85
0.7 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
15
Turn left onto AZ 85
0.3 mi·44 sec·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on AZ 85
28 mi·32 min·Arizona State Highway 85
17
Continue on AZ 85; US 80 Hist
1.0 mi·1 min·Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
18
Continue on AZ 85
3.7 mi·5 min·South Oglesby Road
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: PhoenixUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 10
12 mi·12 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 10
8.1 mi·9 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 133BUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
4.5 mi·5 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 7BToward Glendale AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
362 ft·7 sec
Toward Glendale Avenue East, Glendale Sports FacilitiesUse the left / right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto West Glendale Avenue
4.9 mi·10 min·West Glendale Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto North 58th Avenue
0.1 mi·20 sec·North 58th Avenue
28
Continue on West Lamar Road
368 ft·14 sec·West Lamar Road
29
Turn right onto North 57th Drive
313 ft·14 sec·North 57th Drive
30
Turn right onto US 60
0.2 mi·24 sec·Grand Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
US 60
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3 hour and 55-minute duration, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Glendale with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Be mindful of the fuel cost of $41 and ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing San Luis, as the longest stretch without a major break is over 100 miles. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge will be important on this Arizona to Arizona journey.
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 101.2 miles from San Luis, AZ, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.2 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 45 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.2 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glendale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Luis, 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 San Luis, AZ
This is one driving day of about 202.5 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from San Luis, 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 Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 106.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 197 — 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 95 / Main Street
Enter roundabout onto US 95 / Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
170.6 mi into trip|~3h 12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
6
191.1 mi into trip|~3h 36m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133B
7
196.7 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward Glendale Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7B
Toward Glendale Avenue
8
197 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Glendale Avenue East, Glendale Sports Facilities
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward Glendale Avenue East, Glendale Sports Fa...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.34 one way
$80.68 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$42.69
$85.38
premium
$5.59
$44.57
$89.15
diesel
$5.61
$44.71
$89.42
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: 70.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.8
0
$21.26
$9.72
Efficient EV
50.6
0
$17.72
$8.10
EV Truck/SUV
81
1
$28.35
$12.96
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
San Luis, AZ
Evening
in San Luis on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
MST
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Glendale, AZ
Evening
in Glendale on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
MST
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
ESE 0 to 5 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
17 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
3h 55m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive offers a mixed experience, with 31% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 106.2 miles on the Blue Star Memorial Highway, which likely offers a consistent driving pace. As you progress, the route transitions between these main roads, providing some variation in the road's character. Expect a blend of open road driving and stretches that might feel more urban or suburban as you approach Glendale.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.2 mi on Blue Star Memorial 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 95 / Main Street.
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 17 significant decision points across 202.5 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 95 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 170.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between San Luis, AZ and Glendale, AZ, road signs point toward 85: Phoenix, Ajo and Gilda Bend.
85: Phoenix
133.3 mi in|~2h 24m|via I 8 Business
Ajo
133.3 mi in|~2h 24m|via I 8 Business
Gilda Bend
133.5 mi in|~2h 24m|via I 8 Bus; US 80 Hist
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 202.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.2 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Glendale, 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 95 / Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 170.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Glendale, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
