How far is Sun Lakes, AZ from Surprise, AZ?

The driving distance from Sun Lakes, AZ to Surprise, AZ is about 51.7 miles (83.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 39.2 miles (63.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 55m 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
51.69 mi
00h 57m
Flight
39.2 mi
63.09 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sun Lakes.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
39.2 mi
Kilometers
63.09 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
51.69 mi
Kilometers
83.19 km
Drive Time
00h 57m

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 00h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Surprise
Thu, Apr 23, 3:16 AM MST
Return by in Sun Lakes
Thu, Apr 23, 4:14 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sun Lakes
2026-04-23T02:19
Arrive Surprise
Thu, Apr 23, 3:16 AM MST
Route Timing
00h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:58 AM to 10:58 AM MST

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

Leave by
4:34 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sun Lakes
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
Phoenix
AZ

The fifth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

From Sun Lakes
25.9 mi
00h 28m
To Surprise
25.8 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 10 mph SSW
Destination
88°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sun Lakes and Surprise.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sun Lakes and Surprise.

  1. 1

    Start on East Bud Court

    44 m · 10 sec · East Bud Court

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Glenburn Drive

    847 ft · 34 sec · South Glenburn Drive

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Foster Avenue

    939 ft · 37 sec · East Foster Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto East Palomino Place

    56 m · 8 sec · East Palomino Place

  5. 5

    Turn right onto South Dobson Road

    1314 ft · 34 sec · South Dobson Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto East Riggs Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · East Riggs Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right toward I 10 West: Phoenix

    2185 ft · 53 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

    5.5 mi · 6 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Maricopa Freeway

    12 mi · 14 min · Maricopa Freeway

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway

    2 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway

  12. 12

    Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

    2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

  13. 13

    Continue on Papago Freeway

    10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North

    1.4 km · 1 min

  15. 15

    Continue on Agua Fria Freeway

    8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60

    1831 ft · 37 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Grand Avenue

    4.7 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West Greenway Road

    65 m · 11 sec · West Greenway Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive

    1322 ft · 33 sec · Santa Fe Drive

  20. 20

    Turn right onto North Nash Street

    1464 ft · 50 sec · North Nash Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Nash Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sun Lakes and Surprise.

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
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
40.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Papago Freeway
15 mi · 29%
Maricopa Freeway
12 mi · 23%
Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi · 17%
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
5.46 mi · 11%
Grand Avenue
4.68 mi · 9%
East Riggs Road
2.43 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Maricopa Freeway

Continue on Maricopa 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
00h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.5 mi
39.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Phoenix
00h 28m from Sun Lakes
Leave By
4:34 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Sun Lakes and Sunny near Surprise.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sun Lakes to Surprise?

The road trip is about 51.7 miles (83.2 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?

Phoenix is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.9 miles from Sun Lakes and 25.8 miles from Surprise.

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

The direct path is about 39.2 miles (63.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.5 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 4:34 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.01 one way or $18.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sun Lakes and Sunny near Surprise.

Stop Ideas Near Phoenix

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 Phoenix and the surrounding midpoint area.
Mastro's City Hall
Food stop 8.7 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 1 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 8.3 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
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 11.1 mi away

Tolleson City Hall

Tolleson , AZ
9555 W Van Buren St, Tolleson, AZ 85353, United States
Rating 4.9/5 32 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

4 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

6 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

12 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
RAIL

Maricopa

43 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sun Lakes and Surprise. Straight-line distance: 39.2 mi (63.09 km).

Sun Lakes

#1 Sun Lakes

Census designated place

Population13,975
Coordinates33.2111600, -111.8754200
Altitude364
CountryUnited States
Surprise

#2 Surprise

The seventh most populous city in Arizona.

Population147,965
Coordinates33.6305900, -112.3332200
Altitude358
CountryUnited States
Start: East Bud Court (-111.875121, 33.21104)
End: North Nash Street (-112.333438, 33.630589)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 83 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.82 gal
6.9 L · about $9.01
Round trip
$18.02
3.64 gal · 13.8 L
Estimated CO2
16.2 kg one way
Round trip: 32.3 kg / 71 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $9.01 $18.02
Mid-grade $5.34 $9.72 $19.43
Premium $5.57 $10.13 $20.26
Diesel $6.37 $11.59 $23.17

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Sun Lakes and Surprise. The current time is 02:19:15.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.