Origin
Three Points, AZ
Night in Three Points on Saturday
Local time
10:57 PM
MST
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Three Points, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 27m
Distance
123.2 mi
198 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 17m
★
6 AM
2h 27m
8 AM
2h 47m
10 AM
2h 34m
12 PM
2h 32m
3 PM
2h 35m
5 PM
2h 46m
8 PM
2h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Three Points, AZ
KoolShooters
Phoenix, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a 123.2-mile journey from Three Points, AZ, to Phoenix, AZ, a drive that will take approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single day trip, allowing you to experience the Desert Southwest region without needing an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $25. Expect a local driving experience with frequent turns rather than long, uninterrupted highway stretches. The main roads you'll navigate include the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, and South Sandario Road.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.6 miles from Three Points, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 38.1 mi | 38m |
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 36.1 mi | 36m |
| South Sandario Road | 18.3 mi | 29m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| West Ajo Highway | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| North Sanders Road | 4 mi | 6m |
| North Sandario Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| South 7th Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
— 38.1 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Three Points, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 86
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
West Ajo Highway
2
Turn left onto South Sandario Road
18 mi
·
29 min
·
South Sandario Road
3
Enter roundabout onto North Sandario Road
94 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Sandario Road
4
Continue on North Sandario Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Sandario Road
5
Turn left onto West Avra Valley Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Avra Valley Road
6
Turn right onto North Sanders Road
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North Sanders Road
7
At end of road, turn right onto West Marana Road
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
West Marana Road
8
Continue on Marana Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Marana Main Street
9
Enter roundabout onto North Sandario Road
189 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Sandario Road
10
Continue on North Sandario Road
0.3 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Sandario Road
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
12
Merge onto I 10
36 mi
·
36 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 10
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Use the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Maricopa Freeway
18
Turn right onto South 7th Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South 7th Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 27-minute duration, this is a straightforward day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Plan for potential stops as needed, though no specific stops are recommended on this route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25, and it's wise to fuel up before leaving Three Points. The longest stretch without a turn is about 38.1 miles, so be ready to adjust your speed and navigation accordingly as you transition between these local roads and the highway segments.
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 61.6 miles from Three Points, AZ, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.1 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 27 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.6 miles or 1h 20m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Three Points, 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 Three Points, AZ
This is one driving day of about 123.2 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Three Points, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway for about 38.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.6 miles from Three Points, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 24.6 and 122.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
24.6 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
North Sandario Road
Enter roundabout onto North Sandario Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
31.1 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
West Marana Road
At end of road, turn right onto West Marana Road
Navigation decision point
8
119.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
|
US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
8
121.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
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 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
6
122.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.54 one way
$49.09 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $25.97 | $51.95 |
| premium | $5.59 | $27.12 | $54.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.20 | $54.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37 | 0 | $12.94 | $5.91 |
| Efficient EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.78 | $4.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.3 | 0 | $17.25 | $7.88 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Phoenix, AZ
Night in Phoenix on Saturday
Local time
10:57 PM
MST
Current temp
93°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
7 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
2h 27m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a turn-heavy local feel, with only 11% of the route on highways. You'll experience a mix of road types as you progress from Three Points to Phoenix. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 38.1 miles along the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent speed before returning to a more varied driving experience. Be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction as you navigate the local road network throughout the 123.2-mile journey.
Only 11% 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: 38.1 mi on Phoenix-Casa Grande 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 24.6 miles in near North Sandario Road.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 123.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 24.6 miles (North Sandario Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 31.1 miles (West Marana Road): Navigation decision point; at 119.2 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
Full guide →Founded 1868
Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona, the most populous city in the American Southwest. Warm and sunny winter weather have ensured a thriving tourism industry, and the city has become the region's primary political, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is extremely hot and dry in the summertime, so always have sunscreen with you! It had about 1,625,000 residents in 2021, and is the fifth largest city in the United States.
Top landmarks
- • Arizona State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Arizona
- • Phoenix Art Museum — art museum in Phoenix, Arizona
- • St. Mary's Basilica — Roman Catholic church in Phoenix, Arizona
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 2h 27m. Total distance: 123.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (11%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.1 miles on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 24.6 miles (North Sandario Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 31.1 miles (West Marana Road): Navigation decision point; at 119.2 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Phoenix, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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