This 167.1-mile journey from Whetstone, AZ, to Maryvale, AZ, is a manageable 3-hour drive, making it ideal for a single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate Highway 90 and I-10, with a significant portion involving turn-heavy local roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, this route offers a straightforward and budget-friendly option for exploring the Desert Southwest. The drive features one designated stop, suggesting a brief pause is factored into the recommended 1-day itinerary. This trip is designed for efficient travel between two points within Arizona.
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
83.6 miles from Whetstone, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.5 mi
55m
Tucson-Benson Highway
41.4 mi
43m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi
38m
Maricopa Freeway
12 mi
13m
Papago Freeway
9.5 mi
10m
South Freeway
6 mi
6m
North 51st Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
South State Highway 90
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Whetstone, AZ and Maryvale, AZ.
1
Start on West Casa del Rio Drive
0.1 mi·1 min·West Casa del Rio Drive
2
Continue on West Casa del Rio Drive
0.2 mi·48 sec·West Casa del Rio Drive
3
Turn right onto AZ 90
0.5 mi·1 min·South State Highway 90
4
Turn left
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
5
Merge onto I 10
41 mi·43 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi·6 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi·4 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi·51 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
12 mi·13 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·Papago Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.7 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
14
Continue on I 10
4.9 mi·5 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 139Toward 51st Avenue, 59th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto North 51st Avenue
2.2 mi·3 min·North 51st Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto West Indian School Road
0.5 mi·1 min·West Indian School Road
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto North 55th Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North 55th Avenue
19
Continue on North 55th Avenue
169 ft·16 sec·North 55th Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
North 55th Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration and 167.1-mile distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one stop recommended, you can be flexible with your timing, perhaps pausing for a quick break midway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $33 for the entire trip. A specific tip for this route: be prepared for numerous turns, as indicated by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, so having your navigation set up before you leave Whetstone is key.
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 83.6 miles from Whetstone, AZ, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 37 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.6 miles or 1h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maryvale, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Whetstone, 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 Whetstone, AZ
This is one driving day of about 167.1 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Whetstone, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.5 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 163.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
6
52.6 mi into trip|~58m in|I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
153.5 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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
155.4 mi into trip|~2h 44m 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.
8
163.5 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward 51st Avenue, 59th 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 139
Toward 51st Avenue, 59th Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.29 one way
$66.58 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$35.23
$70.46
premium
$5.59
$36.78
$73.56
diesel
$5.61
$36.89
$73.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
14 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Shell Gas Station and Convenience Store - Tesla Supercharger
Tucson, AZ
Tesla
10 DCFC
Walmart 3807 (Benson, AZ)
Benson, AZ
Electrify America
4 DCFC
Environmental and General Services
Tucson, AZ
Blink Network
4 DCFC
Porsche - Tucson
Tucson, AZ
Non-Networked
2 DCFC
5151 E Broadway
Tucson, AZ
Non-Networked
2 DCFC
FasCharge 4614 Fast Market Valero Tucson Drexel Rd
Tucson, AZ
RED_E
2 DCFC
FasCharge 4611 Fast Market Valero Tucson Prince Rd
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.1
0
$17.55
$8.02
Efficient EV
41.8
0
$14.62
$6.68
EV Truck/SUV
66.8
0
$23.39
$10.69
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Whetstone, AZ
Late night
in Whetstone on Tuesday
Local time
3:57 AM
MST
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Maryvale, AZ
Late night
in Maryvale on Tuesday
Local time
3:57 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
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 1m 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.
Saguaro National Park
National Park
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 34.6
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
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...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 109.5
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' as you traverse 167.1 miles between Whetstone and Maryvale. While I-10 and Highway 90 are part of the journey, the profile indicates a substantial amount of local road navigation, so don't anticipate a purely high-speed interstate experience. The highway share is 0%, meaning you'll be engaged with more frequent directional changes and potentially slower speeds for much of the 3-hour duration. There isn't a longest uninterrupted stretch noted, reinforcing the idea of an engaging, albeit not necessarily fast-paced, drive.
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: 54.5 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson 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 0.9 miles in.
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 11 significant decision points across 167.1 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 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.6 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.5 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 167.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.5 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson 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.
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 Maryvale, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.6 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.5 miles (I 10 / Papago Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Maryvale, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
