How far is Rio Rico, AZ from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance from Rio Rico, AZ to Surprise, AZ is about 196.2 miles (315.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 168.8 miles (271.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 13m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Pinal 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 Rio Rico and Surprise.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Rico and Surprise.
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1
Start on the route
62 m · 20 sec
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2
Turn right onto Yeso Court
89 m · 15 sec · Yeso Court
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3
Turn right onto Avenida Leon
1650 ft · 1 min · Avenida Leon
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Avenida Coatimundi
1544 ft · 44 sec · Avenida Coatimundi
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Pendleton Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · Pendleton Drive
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6
Turn left onto Rio Rico Drive
1.2 mi · 3 min · Rio Rico Drive
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7
Take the ramp right
1655 ft · 40 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Nogales–Tucson Highway
52 mi · 58 min · Nogales–Tucson Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Phoenix
3178 ft · 49 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto South Freeway
5.4 mi · 6 min · South Freeway
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11
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
50.7 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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13
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi · 39 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
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14
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Maricopa Freeway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway
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17
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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18
Continue on Papago Freeway
10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North
1.4 km · 1 min
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20
Continue on Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 60
1831 ft · 37 sec
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22
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
4.7 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue
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23
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
65 m · 11 sec · West Greenway Road
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24
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
1322 ft · 33 sec · Santa Fe Drive
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25
Turn right onto North Nash Street
1464 ft · 50 sec · North Nash Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Nash Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Rico and Surprise.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Nogales–Tucson Highway
Merge slight left onto Nogales–Tucson Highway
52 mi · 00h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Rio Rico and Sunny near Surprise.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rio Rico to Surprise?
The road trip is about 196.2 miles (315.8 km) and usually takes 03h 13m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Eloy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.3 miles from Rio Rico and 97.9 miles from Surprise.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 168.8 miles (271.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:34 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.26 one way or $68.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rio Rico and Sunny near Surprise.
Stop Ideas Near Eloy
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 Eloy.
Maricopa
Tucson
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rio Rico and Surprise. Straight-line distance: 168.81 mi (271.67 km).
#1 Rio Rico
Rio Rico is a place in Arizona, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 31.4714800, -110.9764800 |
| Altitude | 1061 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Nash Street (-112.333445, 33.630589)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 316 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $34.26 | $68.52 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $36.94 | $73.88 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $38.52 | $77.03 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $44.05 | $88.11 |
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 · May 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.