How far is Surprise, AZ from Payson, AZ?
The driving distance from Surprise, AZ to Payson, AZ is about 102.9 miles (165.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 71.1 miles (114.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 23m 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 11m.
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.
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Surprise and Payson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surprise and Payson.
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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
13.8 mi · 16 min · Pima Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard
1987 ft · 48 sec
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9
Turn straight onto North Pima Road
858 ft · 19 sec · North Pima Road
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10
Turn left onto East Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard
4.9 mi · 9 min · East Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard
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11
Turn left onto East Shea Boulevard
7.8 mi · 13 min · East Shea Boulevard
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto Beeline Highway
61 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Beeline Highway
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Beeline Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Surprise and Payson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Beeline Highway
At the end of the road, turn left onto Beeline Highway
61 mi · 01h 11m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Surprise and Sunny near Payson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Surprise to Payson?
The road trip is about 102.9 miles (165.6 km) and usually takes 02h 11m 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?
Fountain Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.4 miles from Surprise and 51.4 miles from Payson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 71.1 miles (114.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.8 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 2:06 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.97 one way or $35.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Surprise and Sunny near Payson.
Stop Ideas Near Fountain Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fountain Hills.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Surprise and Payson. Straight-line distance: 71.13 mi (114.48 km).
#1 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Payson
Town in Gila County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 15,947 |
| Coordinates | 34.2308700, -111.3251400 |
| Altitude | 1500 |
| Country | United States |
End: Payson (-111.32514, 34.23087)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 166 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $17.97 | $35.94 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $19.38 | $38.75 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $20.20 | $40.41 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $23.11 | $46.22 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.