Spanning 187.7 miles, this journey from Show Low to Maricopa takes you across the diverse landscapes of the Desert Southwest. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 58 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable one-day trip that doesn't necessarily require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Globe-Show Low Highway, the Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Santan Freeway to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $37 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the entire route remains within Arizona, you can focus on the changing desert topography without crossing state lines. It is an efficient path for travelers looking to bridge the gap between the high country and the valley floor.
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
93.8 miles from Show Low, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Show Low, AZ and Maricopa, 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
7.9 mi·9 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 190AToward AZ 202 LoopUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward AZ 202 Loop SouthUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
18 mi·20 min·Santan Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 49Toward Dobson RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto South Dobson Road
1.9 mi·3 min·South Dobson Road
Use the left / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto West Queen Creek Road
5.8 mi·8 min·West Queen Creek Road
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on AZ 347
12 mi·13 min·North Maricopa Road
19
Continue on AZ 347
2.2 mi·4 min·North John Wayne Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
AZ 347
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 187.7-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the nearly four-hour duration. Because this is a turn-heavy route, leaving early in the day allows you to navigate the more technical sections while visibility is at its peak. Given that fuel costs are estimated at $37, check your tank before departing Show Low, as the extended 83.5-mile stretch on the Globe-Show Low Highway is your primary corridor for steady progress. Since this is a single-day trip, your schedule offers plenty of flexibility for a mid-trip break. Prioritize consistent pacing over speed to ensure a smooth transition from the high-desert conditions to the environment in Maricopa.
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 93.8 miles from Show Low, AZ, or about 1h 56m 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 41 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.8 miles or 1h 56m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maricopa, 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 187.7 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 146 and 167.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
146 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward AZ 202 Loop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 190A
Toward AZ 202 Loop
7
146.6 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward AZ 202 Loop South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward AZ 202 Loop South
5
147.6 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
165.6 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Take the exit toward Dobson Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 49
Toward Dobson Road
5
167.9 mi into trip|~3h 31m in|West Queen Creek Road
Turn right onto West Queen Creek Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.39 one way
$74.78 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$39.57
$79.14
premium
$5.59
$41.32
$82.63
diesel
$5.61
$41.44
$82.88
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: 65.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.3
0
$19.71
$9.01
Efficient EV
46.9
0
$16.42
$7.51
EV Truck/SUV
75.1
0
$26.28
$12.01
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Show Low, AZ
Night
in Show Low on Saturday
Local time
9:37 PM
MST
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Maricopa, AZ
Night
in Maricopa on Saturday
Local time
9:37 PM
MST
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Miami, AZ
94 mi in
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
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 58m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between regions. Only 17% of this route consists of high-speed highway travel, meaning you will spend most of your time navigating secondary roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 83.5 miles along the Globe-Show Low Highway, where road conditions can shift significantly. Because the route relies heavily on local thoroughfares rather than major interstates, the pace feels more grounded and technical. Keep your eyes on the road, as the winding nature of these segments makes for a more involved driving experience than a standard freeway cruise.
Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 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?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 146 miles in.
Driving Effort5/10
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 187.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 146 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.6 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 58m. Total distance: 187.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (17%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 146 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.6 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Santan Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Maricopa, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
