How far is Sun City, AZ from San Tan Valley, AZ?

The driving distance from Sun City, AZ to San Tan Valley, AZ is about 70.4 miles (113.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 51.3 miles (82.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m 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
70.37 mi
01h 16m
Flight
51.28 mi
82.53 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sun City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
51.28 mi
Kilometers
82.53 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
70.37 mi
Kilometers
113.25 km
Drive Time
01h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Tan Valley
Thu, Oct 15, 3:01 PM MST
Return by in Sun City
Thu, Oct 15, 4:18 PM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sun City
2026-10-15T13:45
Arrive San Tan Valley
Thu, Oct 15, 3:01 PM MST
Route Timing
01h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:16 AM to 11:16 AM MST

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

Leave by
3:58 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sun City
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
Tempe
AZ

The third most populous city in Arizona.

From Sun City
34.7 mi
00h 38m
To San Tan Valley
35.7 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 9:00 AM MST
Wind
10 mph NE
Destination
86°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 9:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 10 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sun City and San Tan Valley.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sun City and San Tan Valley.

  1. 1

    Start on Grand Avenue

    7 m · 3 sec · Grand Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue on Grand Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Grand Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the exit right toward AZ 101 Loop South

    1947 ft · 47 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Agua Fria Freeway

    8.9 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Phoenix

    1.3 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway

    10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

    2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

  8. 8

    Continue on Papago Freeway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Papago Freeway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway

  10. 10

    Merge slight right onto Maricopa Freeway

    4.8 mi · 6 min · Maricopa Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe

    18.7 mi · 22 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward AZ Loop 202 South

    1.1 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Santan Freeway

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Santan Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward AZ 24 East

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Continue on Gateway Freeway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Gateway Freeway

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    1799 ft · 24 sec

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    2232 ft · 44 sec

  18. 18

    Continue on Gateway Freeway

    3127 ft · 59 sec · Gateway Freeway

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    2198 ft · 44 sec

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    1892 ft · 38 sec

  21. 21

    Continue on Gateway Freeway

    1677 ft · 32 sec · Gateway Freeway

  22. 22

    Continue straight

    1702 ft · 34 sec

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    2018 ft · 40 sec

  24. 24

    Continue on Gateway Expressway

    2100 ft · 40 sec · Gateway Expressway

  25. 25

    Continue on Gateway Expressway

    1997 ft · 41 sec · Gateway Expressway

  26. 26

    Turn right onto North Ironwood Road

    3.4 mi · 6 min · North Ironwood Road

  27. 27

    Continue on North Gantzel Road

    2 mi · 3 min · North Gantzel Road

  28. 28

    Turn left onto East Combs Road

    2 mi · 4 min · East Combs Road

  29. 29

    Turn right onto North Schnepf Road

    2 mi · 5 min · North Schnepf Road

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Skyline Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sun City and San Tan Valley.

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
30 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
42.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 60 East
18.7 mi · 27%
Papago Freeway
14.9 mi · 21%
Agua Fria Freeway
8.94 mi · 13%
Maricopa Freeway
4.82 mi · 7%
Gateway Freeway
4.72 mi · 7%
North Ironwood Road
3.38 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

US 60 East

Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe

18.7 mi · 00h 22m

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 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.1 mi
51.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Tempe
00h 38m from Sun City
Leave By
3:58 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Sun City and Sunny near San Tan Valley.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sun City to San Tan Valley?

The road trip is about 70.4 miles (113.3 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?

Tempe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.7 miles from Sun City and 35.7 miles from San Tan Valley.

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

The direct path is about 51.3 miles (82.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.1 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 3:58 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.59 one way or $23.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sun City and Sunny near San Tan Valley.

Stop Ideas Near Tempe

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 Tempe and the surrounding midpoint area.
Mastro's City Hall
Food stop 8.1 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 10.2 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
Tempe Economic Development
Meeting point 3 mi away

Tempe Economic Development

Tempe , AZ
31 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office
Tempe City Hall
Nearby stop 3 mi away

Tempe City Hall

Tempe , AZ
31 E 5th St, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States
Rating 4.3/5 16 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

10 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

12 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

24 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
RAIL

Maricopa

42 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sun City and San Tan Valley. Straight-line distance: 51.28 mi (82.53 km).

Sun City

#1 Sun City

Census designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Population37,499
Coordinates33.5975400, -112.2718200
Altitude348
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 San Tan Valley

This Arizonan community is situated in the Sonoran Desert, surrounded by the San Tan Mountains Regional Park.

Population0
Coordinates33.1911000, -111.5280000
Altitude462
CountryUnited States
Start: US 60 (-112.271844, 33.59749)
End: East Skyline Drive (-111.527989, 33.19109)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 113 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.48 gal
9.4 L · about $11.59
Round trip
$23.18
4.96 gal · 18.8 L
Estimated CO2
22 kg one way
Round trip: 44.1 kg / 97 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.67 $11.59 $23.18
Mid-grade $5.03 $12.48 $24.97
Premium $5.36 $13.30 $26.60
Diesel $6.27 $15.55 $31.11

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Sun City and San Tan Valley. The current time is 13:45:27.

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.