Sentinel Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from San Tan Valley, AZ to Fortuna Foothills, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 46m
Distance
197.6 mi
318 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 34m
★
6 AM
3h 47m
8 AM
4h 12m
10 AM
3h 56m
12 PM
3h 53m
3 PM
3h 57m
5 PM
4h 11m
8 PM
3h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Tan Valley, AZ
Mark Direen
Fortuna Foothills, AZ
Brent Singleton
Trip Overview
San Tan Valley, AZ to Fortuna Foothills, AZ is 197.6 miles and takes about 3h 46m via Blue Star Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest, connecting two locations in Arizona. The bulk of this drive is on surface roads, making it a more scenic and potentially slower option than a pure interstate route. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's a manageable one-day adventure if you're looking for a straightforward trip.
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
98.8 miles from San Tan Valley, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 105.4 mi | 1h 46m |
| Phoenix Bypass Route | 31.6 mi | 31m |
| East Riggs Road | 23.4 mi | 37m |
| North John Wayne Parkway | 14.8 mi | 18m |
| North Maricopa Road | 9.6 mi | 11m |
| Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| East Combs Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Schnepf Road | 2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 105.4 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Tan Valley, AZ and Fortuna Foothills, AZ.
1
Start on East Skyline Drive
151 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Skyline Drive
2
Continue on North Schnepf Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
North Schnepf Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto East Combs Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East Combs Road
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on West Combs Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Combs Road
5
Continue on East Riggs Road
23 mi
·
37 min
·
East Riggs Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto AZ 347
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
North Maricopa Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on AZ 347
15 mi
·
18 min
·
North John Wayne Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 84
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 8 West: San Diego
10
Merge onto I 8
32 mi
·
31 min
·
Phoenix Bypass Route
11
Continue on I 8
105 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward Foothills Boulevard
13
Turn left onto South Foothills Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Foothills Boulevard
14
Turn right onto East 40th Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East 40th Street
15
Turn right onto South Sheryl Drive
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Sheryl Drive
16
Arrive at destination
South Sheryl Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 46m duration, leaving San Tan Valley in the morning should give you plenty of time to reach Fortuna Foothills before evening. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in pacing your drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $37 estimated cost suggests it's not an insignificant expense for this route. The longest stretch without a major highway is over 100 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too far into 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 98.8 miles from San Tan Valley, AZ, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.4 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 43 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.8 miles or 2h 5m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fortuna Foothills, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Tan Valley, 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 Tan Valley, AZ
This is one driving day of about 197.6 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from San Tan Valley, 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 105.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 98.8 miles from San Tan Valley, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Blue Star Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.4 miles.
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.
Mohawk Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Mohawk Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Sentinel Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Maricopa-Stanfield Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.1 mi from route
Telegraph Pass Trailhead
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Yuma, Arizona
Martha's Gardens
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Yuma, Arizona
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19287268831
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 196 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
East Combs Road
Turn left onto East Combs Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
28.7 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
AZ 347 / North Maricopa Road
Turn left onto AZ 347 / North Maricopa Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
53.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
AZ 84 / Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 84 / Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
58.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 8 West: San Diego
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 8 West: San Diego
4
196 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward Foothills Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Foothills Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.80 one way
$79.60 round trip
$5.12/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.43 | $42.22 | $84.44 |
| premium | $5.67 | $44.14 | $88.28 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $48.82 | $97.65 |
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: 69.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.3 | 0 | $20.75 | $9.48 |
| Efficient EV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.29 | $7.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79 | 0 | $27.66 | $12.65 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Origin
San Tan Valley, AZ
Late night in San Tan Valley on Friday
Local time
5:25 AM
MST
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 mph
13% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Fortuna Foothills, AZ
Late night in Fortuna Foothills on Friday
Local time
5:25 AM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
NW 0 to 5 mph
3% 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
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
3h 46m 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...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
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 is primarily on surface roads, with only about 8% of the total mileage on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 105.4 miles on the Blue Star Memorial Highway before transitioning to other surface roads. Expect to navigate through areas with frequent intersections and local traffic, rather than long stretches of high-speed cruising. This profile suggests a more community-connected driving experience.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.4 mi on Blue Star Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near East Combs Road.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 46m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (East Combs Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.7 miles (AZ 347 / North Maricopa Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 53.1 miles (AZ 84 / Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,851 ft
288 ft
Total Climb
817 ft
Total Descent
2,003 ft
Highest Point
1,851 ft
~70.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,564 ft
About the Cities
Starting in San Tan Valley, AZ
Full guide →Founded 2009
Arriving in Fortuna Foothills, AZ
Full guide →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 3h 46m. Total distance: 197.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (8%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.4 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (East Combs Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 28.7 miles (AZ 347 / North Maricopa Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 53.1 miles (AZ 84 / Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins 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 Fortuna Foothills, 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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