How far is Surprise, AZ from Carefree, AZ?
The driving distance from Surprise, AZ to Carefree, AZ is about 33.2 miles (53.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27.3 miles (43.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m 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 00h 52m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The second most populous city in Arizona.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Surprise and Carefree.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surprise and Carefree.
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1
Start on North Nash Street
27 m · 5 sec · North Nash Street
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2
Turn right onto West Paradise Lane
2632 ft · 2 min · West Paradise Lane
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto North El Mirage Road
2848 ft · 1 min · North El Mirage Road
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4
Turn right onto West Bell Road
5 mi · 9 min · West Bell Road
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward AZ 101 Loop North
2535 ft · 47 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Agua Fria Freeway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Agua Fria Freeway
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7
Continue on Pima Freeway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Pima Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Cave Creek Road
2076 ft · 39 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Cave Creek Road, National Memorial Cemetery
154 m · 12 sec
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10
Turn slight left onto North Cave Creek Road
9.7 mi · 16 min · North Cave Creek Road
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11
Turn right onto East Carefree Highway
2.1 mi · 4 min · East Carefree Highway
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12
Turn left onto North Tom Darlington Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Tom Darlington Drive
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13
Turn slight right onto North Bloody Basin Road
2156 ft · 1 min · North Bloody Basin Road
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Tranquil Trail
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Surprise and Carefree.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
North Cave Creek Road
Turn slight left onto North Cave Creek Road
9.68 mi · 00h 16m
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 Surprise and Sunny near Carefree.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Surprise to Carefree?
The road trip is about 33.2 miles (53.4 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Glendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.6 miles from Surprise and 16.6 miles from Carefree.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27.3 miles (43.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.9 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 4:46 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.79 one way or $11.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Surprise and Sunny near Carefree.
Stop Ideas Near Glendale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
City of Glendale
Marc T. Atkinson Middle School
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glendale.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Surprise and Carefree. Straight-line distance: 27.28 mi (43.9 km).
#1 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carefree
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 3,974 |
| Coordinates | 33.8222600, -111.9182000 |
| Altitude | 726 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carefree (-111.9182, 33.82226)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $5.79 | $11.59 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $6.25 | $12.49 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $6.51 | $13.02 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $7.45 | $14.90 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.