How far is Surprise, AZ from Catalina, AZ?
The driving distance from Surprise, AZ to Catalina, AZ is about 134.8 miles (217 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 112.8 miles (181.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 31m 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 45m.
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.
Census-designated place in Pinal County, 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 Catalina.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surprise and Catalina.
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1
Start on North Nash Street
1464 ft · 54 sec · North Nash Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Santa Fe Drive
1322 ft · 37 sec · West Santa Fe Drive
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3
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
66 m · 7 sec · West Greenway Road
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4
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
4.6 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue
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5
Take the exit right toward AZ 101 Loop South
1947 ft · 47 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Agua Fria Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Phoenix
1.3 km · 1 min
-
8
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
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9
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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10
Continue on Papago Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Papago Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
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12
Merge slight right onto Maricopa Freeway
12.3 mi · 14 min · Maricopa Freeway
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13
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
23.1 mi · 24 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 187, AZ 387: Casa Grande, Coolidge
1721 ft · 33 sec
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on AZ 187 North, AZ 387 North: Coolidge, Florence, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
91 m · 14 sec
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16
Turn left onto Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
2076 ft · 39 sec · Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
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17
Turn right
6.9 mi · 10 min
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18
Turn right onto Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
7 mi · 8 min · Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
-
19
Continue on Florence-Coolidge Highway
8.1 mi · 12 min · Florence-Coolidge Highway
-
20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
17 m · 1 sec
-
21
Exit the roundabout
127 m · 8 sec
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
30 m · 2 sec
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23
Exit the roundabout
3243 ft · 1 min
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24
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Pinal Parkway Avenue
5 mi · 6 min · South Pinal Parkway Avenue
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25
Continue on Pinal Pioneer Parkway
35.9 mi · 41 min · Pinal Pioneer Parkway
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26
Continue on State Route 79
1935 ft · 30 sec · State Route 79
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27
Turn right onto Tucson-Globe Highway
3.2 mi · 5 min · Tucson-Globe Highway
-
28
Turn left onto Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
826 ft · 29 sec · Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard
-
29
Turn right onto Edwin Road
1569 ft · 45 sec · Edwin Road
-
30
Turn right onto North Elkins Road
1991 ft · 1 min · North Elkins Road
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31
Turn right onto East Pinto Place
150 m · 22 sec · East Pinto Place
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Pinto Place
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Surprise and Catalina.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
Continue on Pinal Pioneer Parkway
35.9 mi · 00h 41m
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 Catalina.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Surprise to Catalina?
The road trip is about 134.8 miles (217 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?
Sacaton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.5 miles from Surprise and 67.4 miles from Catalina.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 112.8 miles (181.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 22 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 12:58 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.57 one way or $47.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Surprise and Sunny near Catalina.
Stop Ideas Near Sacaton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Casa Grande
City of Maricopa: City Hall
The City of Maricopa's City Complex
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sacaton.
Maricopa
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Surprise and Catalina. Straight-line distance: 112.82 mi (181.56 km).
#1 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Catalina
Census designated place in Pima County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 7,569 |
| Coordinates | 32.5055600, -110.9211100 |
| Altitude | 962 |
| Country | United States |
End: Catalina (-110.92111, 32.50556)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 217 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $23.57 | $47.13 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $25.41 | $50.82 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $26.49 | $52.99 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $30.30 | $60.60 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.