How far is Payson, AZ from San Tan Valley, AZ?
The driving distance from Payson, AZ to San Tan Valley, AZ is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 72.8 miles (117.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 29m 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 01h 44m.
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.
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
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 Payson and San Tan Valley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Payson and San Tan Valley.
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1
Start on South Beeline Highway
50.6 mi · 1 hr · South Beeline Highway
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2
Take the exit slight right toward Bush Highway
1439 ft · 45 sec
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3
Turn left onto North Bush Highway
9.6 mi · 17 min · North Bush Highway
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4
Turn left onto North Usery Pass Road
5.9 mi · 10 min · North Usery Pass Road
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5
Continue on North Ellsworth Road
2.8 mi · 4 min · North Ellsworth Road
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6
Turn right onto East University Drive
1245 ft · 35 sec · East University Drive
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7
Turn left onto Apache Trail Frontage Road
577 ft · 23 sec · Apache Trail Frontage Road
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8
Keep slight left to continue on AZ 202 Loop South
1609 ft · 39 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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10
Continue on Santan Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Santan Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 24 East
1.2 mi · 2 min
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12
Continue on Gateway Freeway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Gateway Freeway
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13
Continue straight
1799 ft · 24 sec
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14
Continue straight
2232 ft · 44 sec
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15
Continue on Gateway Freeway
3127 ft · 59 sec · Gateway Freeway
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16
Continue straight
2198 ft · 44 sec
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17
Continue straight
1892 ft · 38 sec
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18
Continue on Gateway Freeway
1677 ft · 32 sec · Gateway Freeway
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19
Continue straight
1702 ft · 34 sec
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20
Continue straight
2018 ft · 40 sec
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21
Continue on Gateway Expressway
2100 ft · 40 sec · Gateway Expressway
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22
Continue on Gateway Expressway
1997 ft · 41 sec · Gateway Expressway
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23
Turn right onto North Ironwood Road
3.4 mi · 6 min · North Ironwood Road
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24
Continue on North Gantzel Road
2 mi · 3 min · North Gantzel Road
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25
Turn left onto East Combs Road
2 mi · 4 min · East Combs Road
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26
Turn right onto North Schnepf Road
2 mi · 5 min · North Schnepf Road
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Skyline Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Payson and San Tan Valley.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
South Beeline Highway
Start on South Beeline Highway
50.6 mi · 01h 00m
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 Payson and Sunny near San Tan Valley.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Payson to San Tan Valley?
The road trip is about 92.7 miles (149.2 km) and usually takes 01h 44m 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?
Fountain Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 45.8 miles from Payson and 46.9 miles from San Tan Valley.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 72.8 miles (117.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.9 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 3:00 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.28 one way or $30.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Payson and Sunny near San Tan Valley.
Stop Ideas Near Fountain Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fountain Hills.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Payson and San Tan Valley. Straight-line distance: 72.78 mi (117.13 km).
#1 Payson
Town in Gila County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 15,947 |
| Coordinates | 34.2308700, -111.3251400 |
| Altitude | 1500 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Tan Valley
This Arizonan community is situated in the Sonoran Desert, surrounded by the San Tan Mountains Regional Park.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.1911000, -111.5280000 |
| Altitude | 462 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Skyline Drive (-111.527989, 33.19109)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 149 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $15.28 | $30.57 |
| Mid-grade | $5.03 | $16.46 | $32.92 |
| Premium | $5.36 | $17.54 | $35.07 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $20.51 | $41.02 |
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