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

The driving distance from Cave Creek, AZ to Surprise, AZ is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 26 miles (41.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
35.82 mi
00h 45m
Flight
26.07 mi
41.95 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cave Creek.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
26.07 mi
Kilometers
41.95 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.82 mi
Kilometers
57.64 km
Drive Time
00h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Surprise
Sat, Apr 18, 2:53 AM MST
Return by in Cave Creek
Sat, Apr 18, 3:38 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cave Creek
2026-04-18T02:07
Arrive Surprise
Sat, Apr 18, 2:53 AM MST
Route Timing
00h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:45 AM to 7:45 PM MST

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:00 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Cave Creek
10:00 PM MST
Flexible departure

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
Peoria
AZ

The second most populous city in Maricopa County, Arizona.

From Cave Creek
15.9 mi
00h 22m
To Surprise
19.9 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 10 mph ESE
Destination
88°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Cave Creek Road

    12.3 mi · 22 min · East Cave Creek Road

  2. 2

    Take the ramp right toward AZ 101 Loop West

    120 m · 7 sec

  3. 3

    Continue on AZ 101 Loop West

    2110 ft · 42 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway

    4.3 mi · 5 min · Pima Freeway

  5. 5

    Continue on Agua Fria Freeway

    8.3 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward Bell Road

    1982 ft · 34 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Bell Road, Surprise Stadium

    528 ft · 9 sec

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto West Bell Road

    4.9 mi · 9 min · West Bell Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto North El Mirage Road

    2975 ft · 1 min · North El Mirage Road

  10. 10

    Turn right onto West Paradise Lane

    2632 ft · 2 min · West Paradise Lane

  11. 11

    Turn left onto North Nash Street

    27 m · 3 sec · North Nash Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Nash Street

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
33.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Cave Creek Road
12.3 mi · 34%
Agua Fria Freeway
8.28 mi · 23%
West Bell Road
4.93 mi · 14%
Pima Freeway
4.32 mi · 12%
North El Mirage Road
0.56 mi · 2%
West Paradise Lane
0.5 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

East Cave Creek Road

Start on East Cave Creek Road

12.3 mi · 00h 22m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 45m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.8 mi
26 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Peoria
00h 22m from Cave Creek
Leave By
7:00 PM MST
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Cave Creek and Sunny near Surprise.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 35.8 miles (57.6 km) and usually takes 00h 45m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Peoria is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.9 miles from Cave Creek and 19.9 miles from Surprise.

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

The direct path is about 26 miles (41.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.24 one way or $12.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Peoria

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 Peoria and the surrounding midpoint area.
Mastro's City Hall
Food stop 14.9 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
City of Glendale
Meeting point 10.5 mi away

City of Glendale

Glendale , AZ
5850 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, United States
Rating 2.2/5 6 reviews Government office
Marc T. Atkinson Middle School
Nearby stop 12.7 mi away

Marc T. Atkinson Middle School

Phoenix , AZ
4315 N Maryvale Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85031
Rating 3.6/5 39 reviews School

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

12 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

25 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

26 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
RAIL

Maricopa

61 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cave Creek and Surprise. Straight-line distance: 26.07 mi (41.95 km).

Cave Creek

#1 Cave Creek

Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

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

#2 Surprise

The seventh most populous city in Arizona.

Population147,965
Coordinates33.6305900, -112.3332200
Altitude358
CountryUnited States
Start: East Cave Creek Road (-111.950718, 33.833318)
End: North Nash Street (-112.333438, 33.630589)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 58 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 35m
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.

One-way fuel
1.26 gal
4.78 L · about $6.24
Round trip
$12.48
2.52 gal · 9.56 L
Estimated CO2
11.2 kg one way
Round trip: 22.4 kg / 49 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $6.24 $12.48
Mid-grade $5.34 $6.73 $13.45
Premium $5.57 $7.01 $14.03
Diesel $6.37 $8.02 $16.04

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Cave Creek and Surprise. The current time is 02:07:40.

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.