How far is Vail, AZ from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance from Vail, AZ to Surprise, AZ is about 161.8 miles (260.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.3 miles (232.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 14m 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 37m.
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.
Census designated place
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 Vail and Surprise.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vail and Surprise.
-
1
Start on East Colossal Cave Road
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Colossal Cave Road
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2
Take the ramp right toward I 10 West: Tucson
1673 ft · 41 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Tucson-Benson Highway
18.7 mi · 20 min · Tucson-Benson Highway
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4
Continue on South Freeway
6 mi · 7 min · South Freeway
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5
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
50.7 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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7
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi · 39 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
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8
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
12 mi · 14 min · Maricopa Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway
2 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Papago Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway
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11
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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12
Continue on Papago Freeway
10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North
1.4 km · 1 min
-
14
Continue on Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 60
1831 ft · 37 sec
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16
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
4.7 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue
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17
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
65 m · 11 sec · West Greenway Road
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18
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
1322 ft · 33 sec · Santa Fe Drive
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19
Turn right onto North Nash Street
1464 ft · 50 sec · North Nash Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Nash Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Vail and Surprise.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
50.7 mi · 00h 51m
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 Vail and Sunny near Surprise.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Vail to Surprise?
The road trip is about 161.8 miles (260.4 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?
Arizona City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81 miles from Vail and 80.9 miles from Surprise.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.3 miles (232.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.5 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 1:16 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.69 one way or $53.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Vail and Sunny near Surprise.
Stop Ideas Near Arizona City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Casa Grande
Eloy City Hall
Arizona City Plaza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Arizona City.
Maricopa
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Tucson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Vail and Surprise. Straight-line distance: 144.27 mi (232.18 km).
#1 Vail
Situated southeast of Tucson in Pima County at an elevation of 3,235 feet, this expanding community lies within the Sonoran Desert landscape near the Rincon Mountains.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 32.0478600, -110.7120300 |
| Altitude | 986 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Nash Street (-112.333445, 33.630589)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 260 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $26.69 | $53.38 |
| Mid-grade | $5.03 | $28.74 | $57.49 |
| Premium | $5.36 | $30.62 | $61.25 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $35.81 | $71.63 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026