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

The driving distance from Rio Verde, AZ to Glendale, AZ is about 45.1 miles (72.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32 miles (51.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 02m 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
45.13 mi
01h 01m
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 Rio Verde.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
31.99 mi
Kilometers
51.48 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.13 mi
Kilometers
72.63 km
Drive Time
01h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Glendale
Thu, Oct 15, 10:57 AM MST
Return by in Rio Verde
Thu, Oct 15, 11:59 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Rio Verde
2026-10-15T09:56
Arrive Glendale
Thu, Oct 15, 10:57 AM MST
Route Timing
01h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:01 AM to 11:01 AM MST

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

Leave by
4:28 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Rio Verde
9:30 PM MST
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Mesa
AZ

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

From Rio Verde
24.8 mi
00h 30m
To Glendale
20.3 mi
00h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 1:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 10 mph N
Destination
58°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 1:00 AM MST
Wind
5 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Medelice Lane

    592 ft · 31 sec · North Medelice Lane

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Four Peaks Boulevard

    1922 ft · 1 min · East Four Peaks Boulevard

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North Forest Road

    1 km · 2 min · North Forest Road

  4. 4

    Continue on McDowell Mountain Road

    8.1 mi · 20 min · McDowell Mountain Road

  5. 5

    Continue on North Fountain Hills Boulevard

    2417 ft · 1 min · North Fountain Hills Boulevard

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Saguaro Boulevard

    3.8 mi · 7 min · North Saguaro Boulevard

  7. 7

    Turn left onto East Shea Boulevard

    3146 ft · 1 min · East Shea Boulevard

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Beeline Highway

    11.3 mi · 13 min · Beeline Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on North Country Club Drive

    2377 ft · 48 sec · North Country Club Drive

  10. 10

    Take the exit right toward AZ 202 Loop West

    1930 ft · 49 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway

    12 mi · 14 min · Red Mountain Freeway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight left toward I 10 West

    1 mi · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight right onto Papago Freeway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway

  14. 14

    Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

    2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

  15. 15

    Continue on Papago Freeway

    1.5 km · 1 min · Papago Freeway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue

    1745 ft · 47 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right onto North 19th Avenue

    1358 ft · 36 sec · North 19th Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn slight left onto Grand Avenue

    7.1 mi · 12 min · Grand Avenue

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
42.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Red Mountain Freeway
12 mi · 27%
Beeline Highway
11.3 mi · 25%
McDowell Mountain Road
8.12 mi · 18%
Grand Avenue
7.07 mi · 16%
North Saguaro Boulevard
3.84 mi · 8%
Papago Freeway
2.29 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Red Mountain Freeway

Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway

12 mi · 00h 14m

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 01m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.1 mi
32 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mesa
00h 30m from Rio Verde
Leave By
4:28 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Clear leaving Rio Verde and Clear near Glendale.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 45.1 miles (72.6 km) and usually takes 01h 01m 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?

Mesa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.8 miles from Rio Verde and 20.3 miles from Glendale.

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 13.1 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 4:28 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.43 one way or $14.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Mesa

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 Mesa and the surrounding midpoint area.
Mastro's City Hall
Food stop 5.6 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
The Phoenix Police Museum
Scenic stop 13.6 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
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 3.7 mi away

Planning department - City of Mesa

Mesa , AZ
55 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office
Phoenix City Hall
Nearby stop 13.6 mi away

Phoenix City Hall

Phoenix , AZ
200 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85003, United States
Rating 4.1/5 73 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

17 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

20 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

31 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
RAIL

Maricopa

46 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

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

Photo coming soon

#1 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
Glendale

#2 Glendale

The second most populous city in Arizona.

Population255,307
Coordinates33.5386500, -112.1859900
Altitude351
CountryUnited States
Start: North Medelice Lane (-111.675776, 33.72261)
End: US 60 (-112.186, 33.538642)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 73 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.59 gal
6.03 L · about $7.43
Round trip
$14.86
3.18 gal · 12.06 L
Estimated CO2
14.1 kg one way
Round trip: 28.3 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.67 $7.43 $14.86
Mid-grade $5.03 $8.00 $16.01
Premium $5.36 $8.53 $17.05
Diesel $6.27 $9.97 $19.94

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 Rio Verde and Glendale. The current time is 09:56:15.

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.