This 210.6-mile drive from Show Low, AZ, to Buckeye, AZ, will take you about 4 hours and 21 minutes. It's a manageable one-day trip with a fuel cost estimated at $43, and it stays within the Desert Southwest region. You'll primarily navigate via the Globe-Show Low Highway and the Phoenix–Globe Highway, eventually transitioning to the Superstition Freeway. Given the duration and the nature of the drive, it’s well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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
105.3 miles from Show Low, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Show Low, AZ and Buckeye, AZ.
1
Start on US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260
2.3 mi·4 min·East Deuce of Clubs
2
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·Globe-Show Low Highway
3
Turn right onto US 60
1.1 mi·2 min·East Ash Street
4
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Hill Street
5
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·11 sec·East Oak Street
6
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·North Broad Street
7
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
8
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
9
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·West Live Oak Street
10
Continue on US 60
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
27 mi·31 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60
0.6 mi·38 sec·US 60
Toward I 10 North
13
Merge onto I 10; US 60
4.9 mi·5 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·Papago Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.7 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
17
Continue on I 10
20 mi·22 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 10
9.9 mi·10 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 114Toward BuckeyeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on South Miller Road
3.9 mi·6 min·South Miller Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Continue on North 1st Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North 1st Street
22
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
0.4 mi·55 sec·East Monroe Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
This 4-hour, 21-minute trip is best tackled in one day, giving you the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient. Plan for one primary stop to break up the 210.6 miles. Since a significant portion of the drive is on local roads, pay close attention to speed limit changes and any posted turn restrictions. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 83.5 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before starting that segment, especially considering the $43 estimated fuel cost for the entire 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 105.3 miles from Show Low, AZ, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.5 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 46 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.3 miles or 2h 11m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buckeye, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Show Low, 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 Show Low, AZ
This is one driving day of about 210.6 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Show Low, 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-Show Low Highway for about 83.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 165.2 and 210.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
165.2 mi into trip|~3h 25m in|US 60
Keep slight left at fork onto US 60 toward I 10 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 10 North
6
170.6 mi into trip|~3h 31m in|I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
172.6 mi into trip|~3h 33m in|I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
205.3 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward Buckeye
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 114
Toward Buckeye
6
210.2 mi into trip|~4h 20m in|US 80 Hist / East Monroe Avenue
Turn left onto US 80 Hist / East Monroe Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.32 one way
$74.64 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$39.96
$79.93
premium
$5.04
$41.80
$83.61
diesel
$4.80
$39.77
$79.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.2
0
$22.11
$10.11
Efficient EV
52.7
0
$18.43
$8.42
EV Truck/SUV
84.2
1
$29.48
$13.48
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Show Low, AZ
Late night
in Show Low on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
MST
Current temp
79°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 9 mph37% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:03PM MST until July 18 at 5:30PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:01PM MST until July 18 at 5:45PM MST by NWS Las Vegas NV
Destination
Buckeye, AZ
Late night
in Buckeye on Sunday
Local time
2:38 AM
MST
Current temp
99°F
Mostly Sunny
WSW 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:03PM MST until July 18 at 5:30PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:01PM MST until July 18 at 5:45PM MST by NWS Las Vegas NV
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
20 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 21m 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.
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
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 123.5
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
~54 min detour
$10
near mile 101.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this journey, with only 29% of the route on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 83.5 miles on the Globe-Show Low Highway. This route is characterized by its local road feel, meaning you'll experience more varied driving conditions and potentially more frequent changes in speed and terrain as you move between towns and through different local road networks. It's not a monotonous interstate experience but rather a more engaging drive with frequent turns.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.5 mi on Globe-Show Low Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 165.2 miles in near US 60.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 210.6 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 165.2 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 170.6 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.6 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 210.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.5 miles on Globe-Show Low 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 Buckeye, 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 165.2 miles (US 60): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 170.6 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.6 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Buckeye, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
