Swift Trail Junction, AZ to Chandler, AZ is 161.5 miles and takes about 3h 38m via East Center Street and Superstition Freeway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route traverses the Desert Southwest region of Arizona, offering a generally straightforward drive. Expect a mix of road types as you transition from local roads to more direct freeways. It's a manageable one-day trip, ideal for those looking for a relatively quick journey between these two points within the state.
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
80.8 miles from Swift Trail Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East Center Street
66.5 mi
1h 21m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
42.9 mi
55m
Superstition Freeway
19.6 mi
22m
Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
7.3 mi
11m
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
4.7 mi
6m
North Arizona Avenue
4 mi
6m
US 60
4 mi
7m
West Thatcher Boulevard
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
East Center Street
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swift Trail Junction, AZ and Chandler, AZ.
1
Start on West Swift Trail
102 ft·6 sec·West Swift Trail
2
Turn right onto US 191
7.3 mi·11 min·Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
3
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
436 ft·16 sec·South 8th Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 70
2.3 mi·4 min·West Thatcher Boulevard
6
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
7
Continue on US 70
4.7 mi·6 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
8
Continue on US 70
66 mi·1 hr 21 min·East Center Street
9
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
2.3 mi·4 min·East Ash Street
10
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Hill Street
11
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·11 sec·East Oak Street
12
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·North Broad Street
13
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
14
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
15
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·West Live Oak Street
16
Continue on US 60
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
20 mi·22 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 179Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, ChandlerUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto SR 87
1.6 mi·3 min·South Country Club Drive
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on AZ 87
4.0 mi·6 min·North Arizona Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto East Chandler Boulevard
149 ft·12 sec·East Chandler Boulevard
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
East Chandler Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 38m duration and 161.5-mile distance, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $32, planning your fuel intake at the start or mid-point will be key. The 'turn-heavy' nature of the route means staying alert and mindful of navigation, especially on East Center Street, which constitutes the longest stretch at 66.5 miles.
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 80.8 miles from Swift Trail Junction, AZ, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 36 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.8 miles or 1h 47m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chandler, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Swift Trail Junction, 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 Swift Trail Junction, AZ
This is one driving day of about 161.5 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Swift Trail Junction, 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 East Center Street for about 66.5 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 7.3 and 155.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
7.3 mi into trip|~11m in|West Main Street
Turn left onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
7.8 mi into trip|~13m in|South 8th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
85.1 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|East Oak Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Navigation decision point
4
85.1 mi into trip|~1h 54m in|North Broad Street
Turn right onto North Broad Street
Navigation decision point
8
155.4 mi into trip|~3h 27m in
Take the exit toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Chandler
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 179
Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Chandler
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.17 one way
$64.35 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$34.05
$68.10
premium
$5.59
$35.55
$71.10
diesel
$5.61
$35.66
$71.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.4
0
$16.96
$7.75
Efficient EV
40.4
0
$14.13
$6.46
EV Truck/SUV
64.6
0
$22.61
$10.34
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Swift Trail Junction, AZ
Late night
in Swift Trail Junction on Sunday
Local time
3:21 AM
MST
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Chandler, AZ
Late night
in Chandler on Sunday
Local time
3:21 AM
MST
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Miami, AZ
81 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
35 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 38m 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.
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
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 123.9
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
~55 min detour
$10
near mile 101.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as 'turn-heavy' with a 15% highway share, meaning you'll be navigating more local roads and intersections than sustained freeway cruising. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 66.5 miles on East Center Street, so be prepared for varied speeds and frequent adjustments. As you progress, the route shifts from what appears to be more local driving to the Superstition Freeway, offering a change in pace. This profile suggests a drive that requires active engagement rather than passive cruising.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.5 mi on East Center Street.
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 7.3 miles in near West Main Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 38m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.3 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 85.1 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.5 miles on East Center Street. 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 7.3 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 85.1 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point.
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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Chandler, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
