Blog > How long is the commute from Maricopa to Phoenix during rush hour?
How long is the commute from Maricopa to Phoenix during rush hour?
For Maricopa, AZ (Pinal County)—civilian guidance only. Authored by James Sanson (Realtor® since 2002; 1,000s of home sales and hundreds of five-star reviews).
Let's be direct: the commute on State Route 347 can be challenging. But for the thousands of people who call Maricopa home, it's a manageable part of a bigger, better picture. Phoenix families routinely trade smaller homes for more space and community in Maricopa; seniors find connection and ease in the 55+ Province; and many love the amenities in Cobblestone Farms and The Villages at Rancho El Dorado. Understanding commute realities helps you weigh that trade-off with confidence.
Your Commute by the Numbers: AM vs. PM Rush Hour
SR 347 is the primary corridor connecting Maricopa to I-10, carrying over 50,000 vehicles daily. Here's what you can realistically expect on a typical weekday.
| Time of Day | Typical Travel Time | 80th Percentile (Heavy Traffic) | 95th Percentile (Incidents/Worst Case) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM Peak (6:30–9:00) | 45–60 minutes | 55–65 minutes | 65–75 minutes |
| PM Peak (3:00–6:30) | 60–90 minutes | 75–90 minutes | 90–120 minutes |
Range explanation: "Typical" reflects normal days without unusual incidents; 80th/95th percentile figures help you plan buffers for heavier days and rare disruptions such as weather events or crashes. On more rare situations the 95th percentile can be long on very severe accidents.
Best vs Worst Times to Leave
A 30-minute shift can dramatically change your experience. Aim for the "Best Departure Times" if your schedule is flexible.
| Window | Best Departure Times | Worst Departure Times |
|---|---|---|
| AM (5:00–9:30) | 5:45–6:15 AM or after 9:00 AM | 7:00–8:30 AM |
| PM (2:30–7:00) | Before 2:30 PM or after 7:00 PM | 4:00–6:00 PM |
The "Add-a-Buffer" Rule for Important Days
| If You Need to Arrive By: | Add This Buffer to Your GPS Time: | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| A Critical Meeting | +20 Minutes | Covers the 95th percentile—arrive calm even with an incident. |
| A Standard Workday | +15 Minutes | Covers the 80th percentile for heavier volume days. |
| A Flexible Appointment | +10 Minutes | A comfortable cushion for normal fluctuations. |
Routes & Bottlenecks
SR 347 is the practical daily route to Phoenix. Slowdowns concentrate at:
- SR 347 / I-10 Interchange (MP 189): Historic merge bottleneck as traffic funnels to I-10.
- Riggs Road Intersection (MP 185.29): Signalized cross-traffic forces abrupt stops.
- Maricopa Road Intersection (near city limits): Additional signalization disrupts flow.
Between July 2017 and June 2022, this corridor recorded 967 crashes, with 68% being rear-end collisions, peaking around 6:00 AM and 3:00 PM. You can track how transportation trends influence pricing in the Maricopa Market Snapshot.
What Affects Today's Time
- Incidents: Minor fender-benders near bottlenecks ripple quickly through the corridor.
- Construction: Lane shifts and reduced speeds during active work windows.
- Weather: Monsoon rains and dust can reduce visibility and speeds.
- School & Event Timing: Bell schedules and major metro events add volume to peaks.
- Departure Choice: Small shifts (15–30 minutes) often save significant time.
Tools to Check Real-Time Traffic
Real-time Traffic & Cameras
- ADOT AZ511 (official incidents, cameras, closures)
- Google Maps (dynamic routing and live speeds)
- Waze (community-reported slowdowns)
Plan Your Commute with Our Calculator
The Future is Bright: Funded Projects & Timelines
Public agencies have committed over $677 million to long-term fixes. These are funded and scheduled projects:
- I-10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor ($450.3M): Rebuilds the SR 347 / I-10 interchange for free-flow connection.
Construction Starts: Late 2025 | Estimated Completion: Early 2028 - SR 347 Widening ($136.3M): Adds a third lane in each direction along the most congested segments.
Construction Starts: Late 2026 | Estimated Completion: 2028 - Riggs Road Interchange ($90.4M): Replaces at-grade signal with a grade-separated overpass to improve safety and flow.
Construction Starts: Late 2026 / Early 2027 | Estimated Completion: 2028
Is Maricopa Living Worth the Drive?
For many, yes. Families moving from Phoenix often find larger, newer homes and strong neighborhood amenities in Maricopa communities like Rancho Mirage, Maricopa Meadows, and The Villages at Rancho El Dorado. Seniors appreciate the lifestyle in Province, with community programming and a low-maintenance environment.
Local utilities keep daily life straightforward: electric by ED3 (Electric District 3), water by Global Water, and gas by Southwest Gas. When it's time to run numbers, try our Mortgage Calculator or connect with a trusted City of Maricopa Mortgage Lender.
Ready to explore next steps? Our Sell Your Home in Maricopa, AZ services are designed to make timing, pricing, and preparation simple.
Fact Check: How SR 347 Compares to Other Phoenix Routes
Statement Verified: "The bottom line the 60, i-10. I-17, 202, 101, and 51 experience rush hour impact on commuters and the 347 ultimately is no different."
Result: TRUE
- I-10, I-17, Loop 202, Loop 101, and SR 51 are all major Phoenix-area highways that experience significant rush hour congestion
- SR 347 serves as a critical connector between Maricopa and the I-10 corridor
- Like these other routes, SR 347 experiences peak hour traffic impacts due to its role as a commuter corridor
- The statement accurately reflects that SR 347 faces similar rush hour challenges as other major Phoenix-area routes
Frequently Asked Questions About the Maricopa Commute
- How long is the commute from Maricopa to downtown Phoenix during rush hour?
- During morning rush (6:30–9:00 AM), plan for 45–60 minutes. Evenings (3:00–6:30 PM) average 60–90 minutes, with occasional 15–20 minute extensions on heavy or incident days.
- Are there any alternate routes to avoid SR 347 from Maricopa?
- For daily commuting, SR 347 is the practical route to I-10 and the metro core. Back-road options exist but are not viable for consistent, time-reliable commuting.
- When is the SR 347 widening project going to be finished?
- The widening is funded to begin in late 2026 with an estimated completion in 2028, aligning with the I-10 interchange rebuild timeline.
- What is the best time to leave Maricopa to avoid traffic?
- Leave before 6:15 AM or after 9:00 AM in the morning; depart Phoenix before 2:30 PM or after 7:00 PM in the evening to avoid the heaviest windows.
- How does the Maricopa commute compare to other Phoenix suburbs?
- It's comparable to longer-corridor suburbs that rely on key connectors (e.g., distant parts of Queen Creek or Buckeye). Unique SR 347 bottlenecks are being addressed through funded upgrades.
- What tools can I use for real-time traffic on SR 347?
- Use ADOT AZ511 for official updates and cameras, plus Google Maps and Waze for dynamic routing.