How far is Apache Junction, AZ from Maricopa, AZ?

The driving distance from Apache Junction, AZ to Maricopa, AZ is about 48.5 miles (78 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.9 miles (61 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
48.47 mi
00h 55m
Flight
37.9 mi
61 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Apache Junction.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.9 mi
Kilometers
61 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.47 mi
Kilometers
78 km
Drive Time
00h 55m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Maricopa
Thu, Apr 16, 4:01 PM MST
Return by in Apache Junction
Thu, Apr 16, 4:56 PM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Apache Junction
2026-04-16T15:05
Arrive Maricopa
Thu, Apr 16, 4:01 PM MST
Route Timing
00h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:55 AM to 10:55 AM MST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:40 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Apache Junction
9:30 PM MST
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Chandler
AZ

The second most populous city in Maricopa County, Arizona.

From Apache Junction
24.2 mi
00h 27m
To Maricopa
24.2 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 10 mph SSW
Destination
90°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Apache Junction and Maricopa.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Apache Junction and Maricopa.

  1. 1

    Start on North Apache Trail

    60 m · 11 sec · North Apache Trail

  2. 2

    Continue on North Apache Trail

    115 m · 23 sec · North Apache Trail

  3. 3

    Continue on West Apache Trail

    1.2 km · 2 min · West Apache Trail

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Ironwood Drive

    1.9 mi · 3 min · South Ironwood Drive

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward US 60 West: Phoenix

    2358 ft · 57 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Superstition Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward AZ 202 Loop

    3175 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on AZ 202 Loop South

    1.6 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Santan Freeway

    18.1 mi · 21 min · Santan Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Dobson Road

    2073 ft · 53 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South Dobson Road

    1.9 mi · 4 min · South Dobson Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West Queen Creek Road

    5.8 mi · 8 min · West Queen Creek Road

  13. 13

    Continue on North Maricopa Road

    11.8 mi · 14 min · North Maricopa Road

  14. 14

    Continue on North John Wayne Parkway

    2.2 mi · 4 min · North John Wayne Parkway

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North John Wayne Parkway

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Apache Junction and Maricopa.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
15 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Santan Freeway
18.1 mi · 37%
North Maricopa Road
11.8 mi · 24%
West Queen Creek Road
5.76 mi · 12%
Superstition Freeway
3.45 mi · 7%
North John Wayne Parkway
2.19 mi · 5%
South Ironwood Drive
1.93 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Santan Freeway

Merge slight left onto Santan Freeway

18.1 mi · 00h 21m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.6 mi
37.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chandler
00h 27m from Apache Junction
Leave By
4:40 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Apache Junction and Partly Sunny near Maricopa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Apache Junction to Maricopa?

The road trip is about 48.5 miles (78 km) and usually takes 00h 55m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Chandler is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.2 miles from Apache Junction and 24.2 miles from Maricopa.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 37.9 miles (61 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:40 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.47 one way or $16.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Apache Junction and Partly Sunny near Maricopa.

Stop Ideas Near Chandler

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Chandler and the surrounding midpoint area.
City of Chandler
Scenic stop 4.2 mi away

City of Chandler

Chandler , AZ
3737 S Old Price Rd, Chandler, AZ 85248, United States
Rating 5.0/5 3 reviews City or town hall,Historic city center
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 4.1 mi away

Town of Gilbert Administration Offices

Gilbert , AZ
50 E Civic Center Dr, Gilbert, AZ 85296, United States
Rating 3.6/5 10 reviews City or town hall,Local government office
Chandler Passport Acceptance Office
Nearby stop 1.2 mi away

Chandler Passport Acceptance Office

Chandler , AZ
175 S Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85225, United States
Rating 3.6/5 26 reviews Passport office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chandler.

BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

21 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

23 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
RAIL

Maricopa

34 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

37 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Apache Junction and Maricopa. Straight-line distance: 37.9 mi (61 km).

Apache Junction

#1 Apache Junction

A town in Pinal County, Arizona.

Population43,386
Coordinates33.4150500, -111.5495800
Altitude525
CountryUnited States
Maricopa

#2 Maricopa

The most populous city in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Population54,539
Coordinates33.0581100, -112.0476400
Altitude358
CountryUnited States
Start: North Apache Trail (-111.549781, 33.415173)
End: AZ 347 (-112.047267, 33.058158)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 78 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.71 gal
6.47 L · about $8.47
Round trip
$16.93
3.42 gal · 12.94 L
Estimated CO2
15.2 kg one way
Round trip: 30.4 kg / 67 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $8.47 $16.93
Mid-grade $5.34 $9.13 $18.26
Premium $5.57 $9.52 $19.04
Diesel $6.37 $10.89 $21.77

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Arizona · Apr 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Apache Junction and Maricopa. The current time is 15:05:57.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.