How far is San Carlos, AZ from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance from San Carlos, AZ to Surprise, AZ is about 135.5 miles (218.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 110 miles (177 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 03m 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 02h 31m.
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.
City in Pinal County, Arizona, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Carlos and Surprise.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Carlos and Surprise.
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1
Start on Aravaipa Road
815 ft · 22 sec · Aravaipa Road
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2
Continue on Indian Route 170
3.4 mi · 6 min · Indian Route 170
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3
Continue on Indian Route 170
796 ft · 18 sec · Indian Route 170
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Globe-Lordsburg Highway
17.9 mi · 22 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
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5
Continue on East Ash Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street
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6
Turn right onto South Hill Street
1816 ft · 42 sec · South Hill Street
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7
Turn left onto East Oak Street
112 m · 11 sec · East Oak Street
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8
Turn right onto North Broad Street
2583 ft · 54 sec · North Broad Street
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9
Continue on North Broad Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Broad Street
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10
Continue on US 60
4 mi · 8 min · US 60
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11
Continue on West Live Oak Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · West Live Oak Street
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12
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
42.9 mi · 55 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway
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13
Continue on Superstition Freeway
27.1 mi · 31 min · Superstition Freeway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 North
2934 ft · 38 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Maricopa Freeway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Maricopa Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway
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18
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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19
Continue on Papago Freeway
10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North
1.4 km · 1 min
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21
Continue on Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 60
1831 ft · 37 sec
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23
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
4.7 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue
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24
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
65 m · 11 sec · West Greenway Road
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25
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
1322 ft · 33 sec · Santa Fe Drive
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26
Turn right onto North Nash Street
1464 ft · 50 sec · North Nash Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Nash Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Carlos 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.
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
42.9 mi · 00h 55m
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 San Carlos and Sunny near Surprise.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Carlos to Surprise?
The road trip is about 135.5 miles (218.1 km) and usually takes 02h 31m 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?
Gold Camp is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.1 miles from San Carlos and 66.4 miles from Surprise.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 110 miles (177 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.5 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 1:26 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.34 one way or $44.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Carlos and Sunny near Surprise.
Stop Ideas Near Gold Camp
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 Gold Camp.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Maricopa
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Carlos and Surprise. Straight-line distance: 110 mi (177.03 km).
#1 San Carlos
Located within Gila County in eastern Arizona at an elevation of 2,628 feet, this community lies situated in a semi-arid region defined by river valleys and rugged terrain.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.3456200, -110.4550400 |
| Altitude | 801 |
| 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: 218 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $22.34 | $44.68 |
| Mid-grade | $5.03 | $24.06 | $48.13 |
| Premium | $5.36 | $25.64 | $51.27 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $29.98 | $59.96 |
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