How far is Buckeye, AZ from Payson, AZ?
The driving distance from Buckeye, AZ to Payson, AZ is about 122.8 miles (197.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 93.6 miles (150.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 02h 26m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buckeye and Payson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buckeye and Payson.
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1
Start on East Monroe Avenue
2150 ft · 59 sec · East Monroe Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North 1st Street
2767 ft · 55 sec · North 1st Street
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3
Continue on South Miller Road
3.7 mi · 7 min · South Miller Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 10 East: Phoenix
1.2 km · 2 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
9.6 mi · 10 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on Papago Freeway
19.8 mi · 23 min · Papago Freeway
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7
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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8
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
12.5 mi · 15 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
1828 ft · 47 sec
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13
Turn left onto North Country Club Drive
2799 ft · 1 min · North Country Club Drive
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14
Continue on North Beeline Highway
4.5 mi · 5 min · North Beeline Highway
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15
Continue on Beeline Highway
67.7 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Beeline Highway
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Beeline Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buckeye and Payson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Beeline Highway
Continue on Beeline Highway
67.7 mi · 01h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Buckeye and Sunny near Payson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buckeye to Payson?
The road trip is about 122.8 miles (197.6 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?
Fountain Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.4 miles from Buckeye and 61.4 miles from Payson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 93.6 miles (150.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.2 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 1:36 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.44 one way or $42.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Buckeye and Sunny near Payson.
Stop Ideas Near Fountain Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
City of Mesa Customer Service
Mesa Police Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fountain Hills.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buckeye and Payson. Straight-line distance: 93.58 mi (150.6 km).
#1 Buckeye
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona
| Population | 85,224 |
| Coordinates | 33.3703200, -112.5837800 |
| Altitude | 265 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Payson
Town in Gila County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 15,947 |
| Coordinates | 34.2308700, -111.3251400 |
| Altitude | 1500 |
| Country | United States |
End: Payson (-111.32514, 34.23087)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 198 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $21.44 | $42.88 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $23.11 | $46.23 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $24.10 | $48.20 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $27.56 | $55.13 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.