How far is Surprise, AZ from Thatcher, AZ?
The driving distance from Surprise, AZ to Thatcher, AZ is about 188.7 miles (303.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.3 miles (254.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 03m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Pinal 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 Thatcher.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Surprise and Thatcher.
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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
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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
4.8 mi · 6 min · Maricopa Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Mesa, Globe
27.9 mi · 32 min
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14
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi · 56 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway
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15
Continue on Live Oak Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · Live Oak Street
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16
Continue on US 60
4 mi · 8 min · US 60
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17
Continue on North Broad Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Broad Street
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18
Turn left onto North Broad Street
2703 ft · 1 min · North Broad Street
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19
Turn left onto East Oak Street
112 m · 9 sec · East Oak Street
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20
Turn right onto South Hill Street
1816 ft · 40 sec · South Hill Street
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21
Turn left onto East Ash Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street
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22
Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
70.4 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
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24
Continue on West Main Street
2842 ft · 1 min · West Main Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Surprise and Thatcher.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
70.4 mi · 01h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Surprise and Sunny near Thatcher.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Surprise to Thatcher?
The road trip is about 188.7 miles (303.7 km) and usually takes 04h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Superior is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.3 miles from Surprise and 94.4 miles from Thatcher.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.3 miles (254.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:54 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.97 one way or $65.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Surprise and Sunny near Thatcher.
Stop Ideas Near Superior
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 Superior.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Maricopa
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Surprise and Thatcher. Straight-line distance: 158.23 mi (254.65 km).
#1 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Thatcher
Town in Graham County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 5,264 |
| Coordinates | 32.8492300, -109.7592500 |
| Altitude | 887 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thatcher (-109.75925, 32.84923)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 304 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $32.97 | $65.95 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $35.55 | $71.10 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $37.07 | $74.14 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $42.40 | $84.80 |
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.