How far is Cave Creek, AZ from Gilbert, AZ?

The driving distance from Cave Creek, AZ to Gilbert, AZ is about 44.5 miles (71.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 34.5 miles (55.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 57m 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
44.49 mi
00h 58m
Flight
34.48 mi
55.49 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cave Creek.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
34.48 mi
Kilometers
55.49 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
44.49 mi
Kilometers
71.6 km
Drive Time
00h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gilbert
Sat, Apr 11, 7:44 AM MST
Return by in Cave Creek
Sat, Apr 11, 8:43 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cave Creek
2026-04-11T06:45
Arrive Gilbert
Sat, Apr 11, 7:44 AM MST
Route Timing
00h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:59 AM to 10:59 AM MST

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

Leave by
4:32 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cave Creek
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
Paradise Valley
AZ

Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

From Cave Creek
21.3 mi
00h 29m
To Gilbert
23.2 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday Night

Clear

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 11:00 AM MST
Wind
5 mph SSW
Destination
88°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cave Creek and Gilbert.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cave Creek and Gilbert.

  1. 1

    Start on East Cave Creek Road

    63 m · 11 sec · East Cave Creek Road

  2. 2

    Continue on East Cave Creek Road

    1.8 mi · 5 min · East Cave Creek Road

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto North Tom Darlington Drive

    52 m · 7 sec

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto North Tom Darlington Drive

    1366 ft · 28 sec · North Tom Darlington Drive

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto North Tom Darlington Drive

    1.7 mi · 4 min · North Tom Darlington Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on North Scottsdale Road

    9.8 mi · 16 min · North Scottsdale Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto AZ 101 Loop East

    2195 ft · 58 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway

    16.8 mi · 19 min · Pima Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on Price Freeway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Price Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East, US 60 West: Globe, Phoenix

    1086 ft · 27 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on US 60 East: Globe

    1 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway

    4.9 mi · 6 min · Superstition Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Gilbert Road

    2149 ft · 56 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto South Gilbert Road

    2.1 mi · 4 min · South Gilbert Road

  15. 15

    Turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue

    134 m · 22 sec · East Vaughn Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North Elm Street

    1134 ft · 41 sec · North Elm Street

  17. 17

    Turn right

    62 m · 15 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cave Creek and Gilbert.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
40.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pima Freeway
16.8 mi · 38%
North Scottsdale Road
9.8 mi · 22%
Superstition Freeway
4.9 mi · 11%
Price Freeway
2.68 mi · 6%
South Gilbert Road
2.07 mi · 5%
North Tom Darlington Drive
1.99 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Pima Freeway

Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway

16.8 mi · 00h 19m

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 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10 mi
34.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Paradise Valley
00h 29m from Cave Creek
Leave By
4:32 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Clear leaving Cave Creek and Sunny near Gilbert.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cave Creek to Gilbert?

The road trip is about 44.5 miles (71.6 km) and usually takes 00h 58m 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?

Paradise Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.3 miles from Cave Creek and 23.2 miles from Gilbert.

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

The direct path is about 34.5 miles (55.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10 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 4:32 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.77 one way or $15.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Clear around Cave Creek and Sunny near Gilbert.

Stop Ideas Near Paradise Valley

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 Paradise Valley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Mastro's City Hall
Food stop 5.1 mi away

Mastro's City Hall

Scottsdale , AZ
6991 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, United States
Rating 4.6/5 1,194 reviews Fine dining restaurant,Restaurant,Steak house
The Phoenix Police Museum
Scenic stop 13.5 mi away

The Phoenix Police Museum

Phoenix , AZ
Historic City Hall, 17 S 2nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003, United States
Rating 4.7/5 201 reviews Tourist attraction,Children's museum,Historical landmark,Local history museum,History museum
Mesa City Council Chambers
Meeting point 11 mi away

Mesa City Council Chambers

Mesa , AZ
57 E 1st St, Mesa, AZ 85201, United States
Rating 4.0/5 4 reviews City government office
Phoenix City Hall
Nearby stop 13.5 mi away

Phoenix City Hall

Phoenix , AZ
200 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85003, United States
Rating 4.1/5 73 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Paradise Valley.

BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

12 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

14 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

16 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
RAIL

Maricopa

53 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cave Creek and Gilbert. Straight-line distance: 34.48 mi (55.49 km).

Cave Creek

#1 Cave Creek

Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Population5,986
Coordinates33.8333716, -111.9507042
Altitude648
CountryUnited States
Gilbert

#2 Gilbert

The fifth most populous city in Arizona.

Population257,658
Coordinates33.3528300, -111.7890300
Altitude377
CountryUnited States
Start: East Cave Creek Road (-111.950718, 33.833318)
End: (-111.788735, 33.35291)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 72 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.57 gal
5.94 L · about $7.77
Round trip
$15.55
3.14 gal · 11.88 L
Estimated CO2
14 kg one way
Round trip: 27.9 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $7.77 $15.55
Mid-grade $5.34 $8.38 $16.76
Premium $5.57 $8.74 $17.48
Diesel $6.37 $9.99 $19.99

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Cave Creek and Gilbert. The current time is 06:45:54.

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.