How far is Glendale, AZ from Rio Verde, AZ?

The driving distance from Glendale, AZ to Rio Verde, AZ is about 41 miles (66 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32 miles (51.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 40m 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
41.01 mi
01h 20m
Flight
31.99 mi
51.48 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
31.99 mi
Kilometers
51.48 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
41.01 mi
Kilometers
66 km
Drive Time
01h 20m

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 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rio Verde
Thu, Oct 15, 1:58 PM MST
Return by in Glendale
Thu, Oct 15, 3:19 PM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Glendale
2026-10-15T12:38
Arrive Rio Verde
Thu, Oct 15, 1:58 PM MST
Route Timing
01h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:20 AM to 11:20 AM MST

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

Leave by
3:50 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
Scottsdale
AZ

The fourth most populous city in Arizona and the center of the Scottsdale metropolitan area.

From Glendale
20.4 mi
00h 40m
To Rio Verde
20.6 mi
00h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 11:00 AM MST
Wind
10 mph NE
Destination
56°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 1:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 10 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Glendale and Rio Verde.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Glendale and Rio Verde.

  1. 1

    Start on Grand Avenue

    1633 ft · 31 sec · Grand Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn sharp right onto West Myrtle Avenue

    1191 ft · 48 sec · West Myrtle Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North 59th Avenue

    1.2 km · 2 min · North 59th Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Northern Avenue

    8.7 mi · 17 min · West Northern Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left toward AZ 51 North

    2783 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Piestewa Freeway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Piestewa Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward Shea Boulevard

    1269 ft · 31 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Shea Boulevard

    573 ft · 14 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto East Shea Boulevard

    15.6 mi · 27 min · East Shea Boulevard

  10. 10

    Turn left onto North Fountain Hills Boulevard

    3.8 mi · 7 min · North Fountain Hills Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on East McDowell Mountain Road

    8.1 mi · 20 min · East McDowell Mountain Road

  12. 12

    Continue on North Forest Road

    1 km · 2 min · North Forest Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto East Four Peaks Boulevard

    1943 ft · 2 min · East Four Peaks Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Medelice Lane

    592 ft · 26 sec · North Medelice Lane

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Medelice Lane

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Glendale and Rio Verde.

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
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
36.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Shea Boulevard
15.6 mi · 38%
West Northern Avenue
8.7 mi · 21%
East McDowell Mountain Road
8.12 mi · 20%
North Fountain Hills Boulevard
3.76 mi · 9%
Piestewa Freeway
1.6 mi · 4%
North 59th Avenue
0.75 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

East Shea Boulevard

Turn straight onto East Shea Boulevard

15.6 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 20m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9 mi
32 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Scottsdale
00h 40m from Glendale
Leave By
3:50 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Glendale and Clear near Rio Verde.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Glendale to Rio Verde?

The road trip is about 41 miles (66 km) and usually takes 01h 20m 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?

Scottsdale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.4 miles from Glendale and 20.6 miles from Rio Verde.

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

The direct path is about 32 miles (51.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 9 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 3:50 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.78 one way or $13.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Glendale and Clear near Rio Verde.

Stop Ideas Near Scottsdale

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 Scottsdale and the surrounding midpoint area.
Mastro's City Hall
Food stop 6.6 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 Mesa Construction Permits
Meeting point 11.7 mi away

City of Mesa Construction Permits

Mesa , AZ
55 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201, United States
Rating 3.6/5 10 reviews City government office,Government office
City of Tempe City Hall
Nearby stop 11.6 mi away

City of Tempe City Hall

Tempe , AZ
31 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States
Rating 4.0/5 20 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

13 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

15 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

20 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
RAIL

Maricopa

52 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Glendale and Rio Verde. Straight-line distance: 31.99 mi (51.48 km).

Glendale

#1 Glendale

The second most populous city in Arizona.

Population255,307
Coordinates33.5386500, -112.1859900
Altitude351
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Rio Verde

Located in the high Sonoran Desert of Maricopa County at an elevation of 1617 feet, this unincorporated community is situated northeast of Scottsdale near the Verde River.

Population0
Coordinates33.7225400, -111.6756900
Altitude493
CountryUnited States
Start: Glendale (-112.18599, 33.53865)
End: Rio Verde (-111.67569, 33.72254)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 66 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.45 gal
5.48 L · about $6.78
Round trip
$13.55
2.9 gal · 10.96 L
Estimated CO2
12.9 kg one way
Round trip: 25.8 kg / 57 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.67 $6.78 $13.55
Mid-grade $5.03 $7.30 $14.60
Premium $5.36 $7.78 $15.55
Diesel $6.27 $9.09 $18.19

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Glendale and Rio Verde. The current time is 12:38:21.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.