This 222.2-mile journey from Willcox, AZ to Surprise, AZ is a manageable one-day drive, estimated to take around 4 hours. You'll primarily navigate on roads like the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, and Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. With a projected fuel cost of $44, this trip offers a straightforward way to traverse the Desert Southwest region of Arizona. The route is characterized by its frequent turns, suggesting a more local driving experience rather than a continuous interstate cruise. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
111.1 miles from Willcox, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.5 mi
55m
Tucson-Benson Highway
42.9 mi
44m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi
38m
Benson-Steins Pass Highway
33.6 mi
33m
Papago Freeway
15 mi
17m
Maricopa Freeway
12 mi
13m
Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi
10m
South Freeway
6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Willcox, AZ and Surprise, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 186; I 10 BUS
3.7 mi·6 min·North Haskell Avenue
2
Take the ramp onto I 10 BUS
0.4 mi·56 sec·I 10 BUS
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto I 10; US 191
34 mi·33 min·Benson-Steins Pass Highway
4
Continue on I 10
43 mi·44 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi·6 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi·4 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi·51 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
12 mi·13 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·Papago Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
2.7 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·36 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
13
Continue on I 10
10 mi·12 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 133BToward AZ 101 Loop NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
8.8 mi·10 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 11Toward US 60Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto US 60
4.7 mi·8 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
212 ft·10 sec·West Greenway Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
0.3 mi·32 sec·Santa Fe Drive
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto North Nash Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·North Nash Street
21
Arrive at destination
North Nash Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Plan for one stop to break up the journey, perhaps around the 54.5-mile mark on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $44, and ensure you're topped off before heading out, especially since a significant portion is on local roads. The 'turn-heavy' nature means staying alert and using your GPS will be key to a smooth arrival in Surprise.
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 111.1 miles from Willcox, AZ, or about 1h 57m 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 49 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.1 miles or 1h 57m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Surprise, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Willcox, 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 Willcox, AZ
This is one driving day of about 222.2 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Willcox, 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 3.7 and 221.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.7 mi into trip|~6m in|I 10 BUS
Take the ramp onto I 10 BUS
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
90.5 mi into trip|~1h 36m 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.
7
206.9 mi into trip|~3h 38m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
216.6 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward US 60
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward US 60
7
221.7 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|Santa Fe Drive
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.37 one way
$78.75 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$42.17
$84.33
premium
$5.04
$44.11
$88.22
diesel
$4.80
$41.96
$83.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.7
0
$23.33
$10.67
Efficient EV
55.6
0
$19.44
$8.89
EV Truck/SUV
88.9
1
$31.11
$14.22
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Willcox, AZ
Late night
in Willcox on Sunday
Local time
1:19 AM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 8 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:04PM MST until July 18 at 3:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:02PM MST until July 18 at 4:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Destination
Surprise, AZ
Late night
in Surprise on Sunday
Local time
1:19 AM
MST
Current temp
96°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 5 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:04PM MST until July 18 at 3:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:02PM MST until July 18 at 4:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
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
8 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
4h on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 69
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
~29 min detour
Free
near mile 153.2
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" on this route, with only 19% of the journey on highways. This means you'll likely encounter more frequent changes in direction and potentially slower speeds as you navigate local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 54.5 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The road's personality will likely shift as you move between different segments, transitioning from more open highway driving to more intricate local thoroughfares. This isn't a monotonous interstate crawl; rather, it’s a drive that requires your attention to navigation.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 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 3.7 miles in near I 10 BUS.
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 222.2 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 3.7 miles (I 10 BUS): Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Willcox is a small town in Cochise County, Southeast Arizona, and a convenient gateway to Chiricahua National Monument and other scenic sights in the region.
Top landmarks
•Willcox Women's Club — women's club in Willcox, United States of America
Sun City is a suburb 20 miles (30km) northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was built as a planned retirement community in Maricopa County in the 1960s. An adjacent retirement community Sun City West was built in the late 1970s; there is also a Sun City Grand. Directly northwest of the three "Sun City" suburbs is Surprise, Arizona.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h. Total distance: 222.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 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.
Yes — we found about 31 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Surprise, 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. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles (I 10 BUS): Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Saguaro National Park and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Surprise, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
