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Trip from Star Valley, AZ to Gilbert, AZ

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 47m

Distance

83.1 mi

134 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 39m ★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Star Valley, AZ, AZ

Star Valley, AZ

Krishna Mantripragada

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Gilbert, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Star Valley, AZ to Gilbert, AZ is 83.1 miles and takes about 1 hour 47 minutes via South Beeline Highway, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward drive. Expect a turn-heavy local experience for the majority of the journey, making it a manageable one-day excursion. It's a practical option if you're looking for a relatively short drive without extensive highway time.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

41.5 miles from Star Valley, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
South Beeline Highway 68.6 mi 1h 21m
North Gilbert Road 6.2 mi 9m
South Gilbert Road 4.1 mi 7m
Payson-Show Low Highway 3.8 mi 6m
North Elm Street 0.2 mi <1m
East Vaughn Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: South Beeline Highway — 68.6 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Star Valley, AZ and Gilbert, AZ.

1

Start on AZ 260

3.8 mi · 6 min · Payson-Show Low Highway
2

Turn left onto AZ 87

69 mi · 1 hr 21 min · South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left onto North Gilbert Road

6.2 mi · 9 min · North Gilbert Road
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on South Gilbert Road

4.1 mi · 7 min · South Gilbert Road
Use the left lane.
5

Turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue

440 ft · 21 sec · East Vaughn Avenue
6

Turn right onto North Elm Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · North Elm Street
7

Turn right

203 ft · 14 sec
8

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to complete the 83.1-mile drive with plenty of daylight. Since this is a turn-heavy route with a fuel cost estimated around $17, keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise, though you won't need many stops. Plan for the many turns by staying focused on navigation, as there are no designated rest stops mentioned on this particular route.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.5 miles from Star Valley, AZ, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.6 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 18 miles or 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 41.5 miles or 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 1h 26m

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 Star Valley, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Star Valley, AZ

This is one driving day of about 83.1 miles and 1h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Star Valley, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on South Beeline Highway for about 68.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Tonto Basin, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tonto Basin, AZ

42 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.

Popular next leg

Tonto Basin, AZ to Gilbert, AZ

80.2 mi · 1h 45m

Pacing Suggestions

Payson, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tonto Basin, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.5 miles from Star Valley, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before South Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 5

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 83 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
3.8 mi into trip | ~6m in | AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway

Turn left onto AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
72.4 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | North Gilbert Road

Turn left onto North Gilbert Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
4
82.7 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in | East Vaughn Avenue

Turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
82.8 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in | North Elm Street

Turn right onto North Elm Street

Navigation decision point

4
83 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.55 one way

$33.11 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $17.52 $35.04
premium $5.59 $18.29 $36.58
diesel $5.61 $18.35 $36.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.9 0 $8.73 $3.99
Efficient EV 20.8 0 $7.27 $3.32
EV Truck/SUV 33.2 0 $11.63 $5.32

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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 20, 2026

Origin

Star Valley, AZ

Late night in Star Valley on Tuesday

Local time

3:25 AM

MST

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gilbert, AZ

Late night in Gilbert on Tuesday

Local time

3:25 AM

MST

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

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

18 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

1h 47m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Tonto National Monument

Tonto National Monument

National Monument

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...

23 mi from route ~57 min detour $10 near mile 48.7
Caution: Construction Delays
Caution: Water is Required
View on nps.gov
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

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...

29 mi from route ~72 min detour Free near mile 83.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with no highway share, so anticipate frequent changes in direction. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 68.6 miles on South Beeline Highway. While it's not a high-speed interstate journey, the roads are generally well-maintained for local travel. You'll navigate through a series of local roads and highways that require your attention due to the numerous turns involved.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
8 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.6 mi on South Beeline Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in near AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Star Valley, AZ to Gilbert, AZ is easy. At 1h 47m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles (AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 72.4 miles (North Gilbert Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 82.7 miles (East Vaughn Avenue): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

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 1h 47m. Total distance: 83.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 68.6 miles on South Beeline Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles (AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 72.4 miles (North Gilbert Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 82.7 miles (East Vaughn Avenue): Navigation decision point.

Yes — Tonto National Monument and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gilbert, AZ before heading back.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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