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

The driving distance from Glendale, AZ to Apache Junction, AZ is about 46.2 miles (74.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.7 miles (60.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m 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
46.22 mi
01h 00m
Flight
37.66 mi
60.6 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Glendale.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.66 mi
Kilometers
60.6 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
46.22 mi
Kilometers
74.38 km
Drive Time
01h 00m

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 01h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Apache Junction
Thu, Apr 16, 5:46 PM MST
Return by in Glendale
Thu, Apr 16, 6:46 PM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Glendale
2026-04-16T16:45
Arrive Apache Junction
Thu, Apr 16, 5:46 PM MST
Route Timing
01h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM MST

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

Leave by
4:30 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Glendale
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
Tempe
AZ

The third most populous city in Arizona.

From Glendale
23.1 mi
00h 30m
To Apache Junction
23.1 mi
00h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 10 mph SE
Destination
88°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Grand Avenue

    1798 ft · 37 sec · Grand Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on Grand Avenue

    5.5 mi · 10 min · Grand Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the exit straight toward 27th Avenue

    2854 ft · 1 min

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Thomas Road

    1052 ft · 27 sec · West Thomas Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto North Black Canyon Highway

    1324 ft · 28 sec · North Black Canyon Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit straight toward I 17 South

    934 ft · 25 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · Black Canyon Freeway

  8. 8

    Continue on Maricopa Freeway

    8.8 mi · 10 min · Maricopa Freeway

  9. 9

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

    23.6 mi · 27 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Ironwood Drive

    2095 ft · 53 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South Ironwood Drive

    2 mi · 3 min · South Ironwood Drive

  12. 12

    Turn right onto West Apache Trail

    1 km · 1 min · West Apache Trail

  13. 13

    Turn slight left

    646 ft · 26 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto North Apache Trail

    54 m · 8 sec · North Apache Trail

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Apache Trail

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
32.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 60 East
23.6 mi · 51%
Maricopa Freeway
8.79 mi · 19%
Grand Avenue
5.88 mi · 13%
Black Canyon Freeway
3.55 mi · 8%
South Ironwood Drive
2.02 mi · 4%
West Apache Trail
0.64 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 60 East

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

23.6 mi · 00h 27m

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
01h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.5 mi
37.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tempe
00h 30m from Glendale
Leave By
4:30 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Glendale and Mostly Sunny near Apache Junction.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 46.2 miles (74.4 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?

Tempe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.1 miles from Glendale and 23.1 miles from Apache Junction.

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

The direct path is about 37.7 miles (60.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.5 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 4:30 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.07 one way or $16.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Tempe

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 Tempe and the surrounding midpoint area.
Mastro's City Hall
Food stop 8.1 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 10.2 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
Tempe Economic Development
Meeting point 3 mi away

Tempe Economic Development

Tempe , AZ
31 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office
Tempe City Hall
Nearby stop 3 mi away

Tempe City Hall

Tempe , AZ
31 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States
Rating 4.3/5 16 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

10 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

12 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

24 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
RAIL

Maricopa

42 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Glendale and Apache Junction. Straight-line distance: 37.66 mi (60.6 km).

Glendale

#1 Glendale

The second most populous city in Arizona.

Population255,307
Coordinates33.5386500, -112.1859900
Altitude351
CountryUnited States
Apache Junction

#2 Apache Junction

A town in Pinal County, Arizona.

Population43,386
Coordinates33.4150500, -111.5495800
Altitude525
CountryUnited States
Start: Glendale (-112.18599, 33.53865)
End: Apache Junction (-111.54958, 33.41505)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 74 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.63 gal
6.17 L · about $8.07
Round trip
$16.14
3.26 gal · 12.34 L
Estimated CO2
14.5 kg one way
Round trip: 29 kg / 64 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $8.07 $16.14
Mid-grade $5.34 $8.70 $17.40
Premium $5.57 $9.07 $18.15
Diesel $6.37 $10.38 $20.75

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 Glendale and Apache Junction. The current time is 16:45:42.

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.