How far is San Tan Valley, AZ from Payson, AZ?
The driving distance from San Tan Valley, AZ to Payson, AZ is about 91.2 miles (146.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 72.8 miles (117.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 11m 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 05m.
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
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Tan Valley and Payson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Tan Valley and Payson.
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1
Start on East Skyline Drive
46 m · 4 sec · East Skyline Drive
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2
Continue on North Schnepf Road
2 mi · 5 min · North Schnepf Road
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3
Turn left onto East Combs Road
2 mi · 4 min · East Combs Road
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4
Turn right onto North Gantzel Road
2 mi · 3 min · North Gantzel Road
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5
Continue on North Ironwood Road
3.5 mi · 6 min · North Ironwood Road
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6
Turn left onto Gateway Expressway
1.3 km · 1 min · Gateway Expressway
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7
Continue straight
1975 ft · 39 sec
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8
Continue straight
1785 ft · 36 sec
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9
Continue on Gateway Freeway
1677 ft · 32 sec · Gateway Freeway
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10
Continue straight
1824 ft · 37 sec
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11
Continue straight
2106 ft · 42 sec
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12
Continue on Gateway Freeway
3102 ft · 59 sec · Gateway Freeway
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13
Continue straight
2077 ft · 42 sec
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14
Continue straight
1871 ft · 25 sec
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15
Continue on Gateway Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Gateway Freeway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on AZ 202 Loop North
1.1 mi · 2 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Santan Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Santan Freeway
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18
Continue on Red Mountain Freeway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward University Drive
1704 ft · 42 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Apache Trail Frontage Road
643 ft · 28 sec · Apache Trail Frontage Road
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21
Turn right onto East University Drive
832 ft · 19 sec · East University Drive
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22
Turn left onto North Ellsworth Road
2.8 mi · 5 min · North Ellsworth Road
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23
Continue on North Usery Pass Road
5.9 mi · 10 min · North Usery Pass Road
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24
Turn right onto North Bush Highway
9.5 mi · 17 min · North Bush Highway
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25
Take the ramp right toward Payson
1379 ft · 38 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto Beeline Highway
50.5 mi · 59 min · Beeline Highway
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Beeline Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Tan Valley and Payson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Beeline Highway
Merge slight left onto Beeline Highway
50.5 mi · 00h 59m
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 Tan Valley and Sunny near Payson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Tan Valley to Payson?
The road trip is about 91.2 miles (146.7 km) and usually takes 02h 05m 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 45.5 miles from San Tan Valley and 45.5 miles from Payson.
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 18.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:18 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.00 one way or $30.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Tan Valley and Sunny near Payson.
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 San Tan Valley and Payson. Straight-line distance: 72.78 mi (117.13 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Payson
Town in Gila County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 15,947 |
| Coordinates | 34.2308700, -111.3251400 |
| Altitude | 1500 |
| Country | United States |
End: Payson (-111.32514, 34.23087)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 147 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $15.00 | $30.01 |
| Mid-grade | $5.03 | $16.16 | $32.32 |
| Premium | $5.36 | $17.22 | $34.43 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $20.13 | $40.27 |
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