How far is Carefree, AZ from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance from Carefree, AZ to Surprise, AZ is about 36.1 miles (58.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.3 miles (43.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m 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 00h 48m.
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.
The second most populous city in Arizona.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carefree and Surprise.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carefree and Surprise.
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1
Start on North Tranquil Trail
3 m · 1 sec · North Tranquil Trail
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2
Continue on North Bloody Basin Road
2056 ft · 1 min · North Bloody Basin Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Tom Darlington Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Tom Darlington Drive
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4
Turn right onto East Carefree Highway
2.1 mi · 4 min · East Carefree Highway
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5
Turn left onto North Cave Creek Road
9.7 mi · 17 min · North Cave Creek Road
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6
Take the ramp right toward AZ 101 Loop West
120 m · 7 sec
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7
Continue on AZ 101 Loop West
2110 ft · 42 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Pima Freeway
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9
Continue on Agua Fria Freeway
8.3 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Bell Road
1982 ft · 34 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Bell Road, Surprise Stadium
528 ft · 9 sec
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12
Turn straight onto West Bell Road
4.9 mi · 9 min · West Bell Road
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13
Turn left onto North El Mirage Road
2975 ft · 1 min · North El Mirage Road
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14
Turn right onto West Paradise Lane
2632 ft · 2 min · West Paradise Lane
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15
Turn left onto North Nash Street
27 m · 3 sec · North Nash Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Nash Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carefree and Surprise.
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.
North Cave Creek Road
Turn left onto North Cave Creek Road
9.68 mi · 00h 17m
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.
Sunny leaving Carefree and Sunny near Surprise.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carefree to Surprise?
The road trip is about 36.1 miles (58.1 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?
Glendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.6 miles from Carefree and 19.5 miles from Surprise.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.3 miles (43.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 4:54 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.29 one way or $12.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carefree and Sunny near Surprise.
Stop Ideas Near Glendale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
City of Glendale
Marc T. Atkinson Middle School
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glendale.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carefree and Surprise. Straight-line distance: 27.28 mi (43.9 km).
#1 Carefree
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 3,974 |
| Coordinates | 33.8222600, -111.9182000 |
| Altitude | 726 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Nash Street (-112.333438, 33.630589)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $6.29 | $12.58 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $6.78 | $13.56 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $7.07 | $14.14 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $8.08 | $16.17 |
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.