How far is Surprise, AZ from Cave Creek, AZ?

The driving distance from Surprise, AZ to Cave Creek, AZ is about 31.9 miles (51.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 26 miles (41.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 38m 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
31.92 mi
00h 49m
Flight
26.06 mi
41.94 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Surprise.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
26.06 mi
Kilometers
41.94 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
31.92 mi
Kilometers
51.37 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cave Creek
Sat, Apr 18, 5:39 AM MST
Return by in Surprise
Sat, Apr 18, 6:28 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Surprise
2026-04-18T04:49
Arrive Cave Creek
Sat, Apr 18, 5:39 AM MST
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM MST

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

Leave by
4:52 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Surprise
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
Peoria
AZ

The second most populous city in Maricopa County, Arizona.

From Surprise
16 mi
00h 24m
To Cave Creek
16 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 10 mph E
Destination
85°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 10 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Surprise and Cave Creek.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Surprise and Cave Creek.

  1. 1

    Start on North Nash Street

    27 m · 5 sec · North Nash Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Paradise Lane

    2632 ft · 2 min · West Paradise Lane

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North El Mirage Road

    2848 ft · 1 min · North El Mirage Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Bell Road

    5 mi · 9 min · West Bell Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left toward AZ 101 Loop North

    2535 ft · 47 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Agua Fria Freeway

    8.2 mi · 9 min · Agua Fria Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on Pima Freeway

    4.3 mi · 5 min · Pima Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward Cave Creek Road

    2076 ft · 39 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Cave Creek Road, National Memorial Cemetery

    154 m · 12 sec

  10. 10

    Turn slight left onto North Cave Creek Road

    12.3 mi · 22 min · North Cave Creek Road

  11. 11

    Continue on East Cave Creek Road

    42 m · 11 sec · East Cave Creek Road

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Cave Creek Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Surprise and Cave Creek.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
12 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
37.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Cave Creek Road
12.3 mi · 39%
Agua Fria Freeway
8.23 mi · 26%
West Bell Road
4.99 mi · 16%
Pima Freeway
4.33 mi · 14%
North El Mirage Road
0.54 mi · 2%
West Paradise Lane
0.5 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

North Cave Creek Road

Turn slight left onto North Cave Creek Road

12.3 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
00h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.9 mi
26 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Peoria
00h 24m from Surprise
Leave By
4:52 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Surprise and Sunny near Cave Creek.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Surprise to Cave Creek?

The road trip is about 31.9 miles (51.4 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?

Peoria is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16 miles from Surprise and 16 miles from Cave Creek.

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

The direct path is about 26 miles (41.9 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 4:52 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.59 one way or $11.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Surprise and Sunny near Cave Creek.

Stop Ideas Near Peoria

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 Peoria and the surrounding midpoint area.
Mastro's City Hall
Food stop 14.8 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
City of Glendale
Meeting point 10.5 mi away

City of Glendale

Glendale , AZ
5850 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301, United States
Rating 2.2/5 6 reviews Government office
Marc T. Atkinson Middle School
Nearby stop 12.7 mi away

Marc T. Atkinson Middle School

Phoenix , AZ
4315 N Maryvale Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85031
Rating 3.6/5 39 reviews School

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

12 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

25 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

26 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
RAIL

Maricopa

61 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Surprise and Cave Creek. Straight-line distance: 26.06 mi (41.94 km).

Surprise

#1 Surprise

The seventh most populous city in Arizona.

Population147,965
Coordinates33.6305900, -112.3332200
Altitude358
CountryUnited States
Cave Creek

#2 Cave Creek

Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Population5,341
Coordinates33.8333300, -111.9508300
Altitude648
CountryUnited States
Start: Surprise (-112.33322, 33.63059)
End: Cave Creek (-111.95083, 33.83333)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 51 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.13 gal
4.26 L · about $5.59
Round trip
$11.19
2.26 gal · 8.52 L
Estimated CO2
10 kg one way
Round trip: 20.1 kg / 44 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $5.59 $11.19
Mid-grade $5.34 $6.03 $12.06
Premium $5.57 $6.29 $12.58
Diesel $6.37 $7.19 $14.39

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

There is no time difference between Surprise and Cave Creek. The current time is 04:49:33.

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.