How far is Picture Rocks, AZ from Surprise, AZ?

The driving distance from Picture Rocks, AZ to Surprise, AZ is about 129.2 miles (207.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 108.9 miles (175.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 26m 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
129.2 mi
02h 13m
Flight
108.85 mi
175.17 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Picture Rocks.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
108.85 mi
Kilometers
175.17 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
129.2 mi
Kilometers
207.92 km
Drive Time
02h 13m

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 02h 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Surprise
Thu, Apr 23, 1:40 AM MST
Return by in Picture Rocks
Thu, Apr 23, 3:53 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Picture Rocks
2026-04-22T23:26
Arrive Surprise
Thu, Apr 23, 1:40 AM MST
Route Timing
02h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:13 AM to 12:13 PM MST

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

Leave by
2:04 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Picture Rocks
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
Sacaton
AZ

Census-designated place in Pinal County, Arizona

From Picture Rocks
64.7 mi
01h 06m
To Surprise
64.5 mi
01h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MST
Wind
6 to 16 mph SW
Destination
87°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Picture Rocks and Surprise.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Picture Rocks and Surprise.

  1. 1

    Start on North Avra Road

    1.4 mi · 5 min · North Avra Road

  2. 2

    Turn slight right onto West Emigh Road

    1 mi · 4 min · West Emigh Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto North Sanders Road

    1 mi · 2 min · North Sanders Road

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West Twin Peaks Road

    2644 ft · 52 sec · West Twin Peaks Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto North Clayton Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Clayton Road

  6. 6

    Turn sharp right onto West Avra Valley Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · West Avra Valley Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto North Sanders Road

    4 mi · 7 min · North Sanders Road

  8. 8

    Turn right onto West Marana Road

    2819 ft · 53 sec · West Marana Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Marana Main Street

    2724 ft · 1 min · Marana Main Street

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Sandario Road

    58 m · 6 sec · North Sandario Road

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout onto North Sandario Road

    1584 ft · 60 sec · North Sandario Road

  12. 12

    Take the ramp left toward I 10 West: Phoenix

    2256 ft · 55 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

    36.1 mi · 36 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

    38.1 mi · 39 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Maricopa Freeway

    12 mi · 14 min · Maricopa Freeway

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway

    2 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway

  18. 18

    Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

    2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

  19. 19

    Continue on Papago Freeway

    10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North

    1.4 km · 1 min

  21. 21

    Continue on Agua Fria Freeway

    8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60

    1831 ft · 37 sec

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Grand Avenue

    4.7 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn right onto West Greenway Road

    65 m · 11 sec · West Greenway Road

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive

    1322 ft · 33 sec · Santa Fe Drive

  26. 26

    Turn right onto North Nash Street

    1464 ft · 50 sec · North Nash Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Nash Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Picture Rocks and Surprise.

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
27 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi · 30%
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
36.1 mi · 28%
Papago Freeway
15 mi · 12%
Maricopa Freeway
12 mi · 9%
Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi · 7%
North Sanders Road
5 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

38.1 mi · 00h 39m

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
02h 13m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.3 mi
108.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sacaton
01h 06m from Picture Rocks
Leave By
2:04 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Picture Rocks and Mostly Sunny near Surprise.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Picture Rocks to Surprise?

The road trip is about 129.2 miles (207.9 km) and usually takes 02h 13m 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?

Sacaton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.7 miles from Picture Rocks and 64.5 miles from Surprise.

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

The direct path is about 108.9 miles (175.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.3 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 2:04 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.58 one way or $45.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Picture Rocks and Mostly Sunny near Surprise.

Stop Ideas Near Sacaton

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 Sacaton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 6.1 mi away

City of Casa Grande

Casa Grande , AZ
Casa Grande, AZ 85122, United States
Rating 3.0/5 2 reviews Garbage collection service
City of Maricopa: City Hall
Meeting point 13.1 mi away

City of Maricopa: City Hall

Maricopa , AZ
39700 W Civic Center Plaza, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
Rating 4.8/5 23 reviews City or town hall,City government office
The City of Maricopa's City Complex
Nearby stop 13.2 mi away

The City of Maricopa's City Complex

Maricopa , AZ
39700 W Civic Center Plaza, Maricopa, AZ 85138, United States
Rating 4.3/5 3 reviews Civic center

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Maricopa

29 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway
BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

47 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

49 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

64 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Picture Rocks and Surprise. Straight-line distance: 108.85 mi (175.17 km).

Picture Rocks

#1 Picture Rocks

Census-designated place in Pima County, Arizona, United States

Population9,563
Coordinates32.3459100, -111.2462100
Altitude634
CountryUnited States
Surprise

#2 Surprise

The seventh most populous city in Arizona.

Population147,965
Coordinates33.6305900, -112.3332200
Altitude358
CountryUnited States
Start: North Avra Road (-111.250949, 32.34591)
End: North Nash Street (-112.333445, 33.630589)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 208 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.56 gal
17.26 L · about $22.58
Round trip
$45.15
9.12 gal · 34.52 L
Estimated CO2
40.5 kg one way
Round trip: 81 kg / 179 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $22.58 $45.15
Mid-grade $5.34 $24.34 $48.68
Premium $5.57 $25.38 $50.76
Diesel $6.37 $29.03 $58.06

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Picture Rocks and Surprise. The current time is 23:26:56.

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.