Apache Junction is where the East Valley ends and the Superstition Wilderness begins. It is about 35 miles east of downtown Phoenix on the US-60 Superstition Freeway — a 35 to 45 minute drive off-peak, and closer to an hour when rush hour traffic stacks up.
The route out
From central Phoenix you take I-10 east and merge onto US-60 east. From Sky Harbor the same run is closer to 30 minutes off-peak, via Loop 202 to US-60. Mesa sits between the airport and Apache Junction at a little over a dozen miles, with Gilbert, Chandler and Scottsdale all feeding into the same corridor. US-60 ends here, which is why this is the last of the freeway before the desert.
What people come for
Lost Dutchman State Park sits at the base of the Superstitions and is the main trailhead, with the Treasure Loop and the steeper Siphon Draw route up toward the Flatiron. Goldfield Ghost Town, a rebuilt 1890s mining camp just up the Apache Trail, has a mine tour, a narrow-gauge railroad and a walkable main street. The Superstition Mountain Museum rounds out the history, and the lake country along the Apache Trail draws boaters toward Canyon Lake and Saguaro Lake.
Driving the Apache Trail
SR-88, the Historic Apache Trail, is paved from Apache Junction out to Tortilla Flat and beyond there turns to graded gravel as it climbs toward the lakes. Conditions on the gravel stretch change with storms and maintenance, so check current status with Arizona DOT or the Forest Service before committing to that section. For a low-stress visit, the paved portion through Goldfield and on to the Lost Dutchman area is the part most day trips use.
Planning the trip
Mornings are the best window: heat on the trails and afternoon traffic coming back west both argue for an early start. A Apache Junction shuttle covers the US-60 corridor from Sky Harbor, and nearby riders usually start from the Mesa shuttle, Gilbert shuttle or Phoenix shuttle service pages.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Apache Junction from Phoenix?
About 35 miles east of downtown Phoenix via the US-60 Superstition Freeway.
How long does it take to drive to Apache Junction?
Roughly 35 to 45 minutes off-peak, and closer to an hour during rush hour. From Sky Harbor it is about 30 minutes off-peak.
Can you drive the Apache Trail to Tortilla Flat?
The Apache Trail is paved from Apache Junction through Tortilla Flat. Past that the road becomes graded gravel, and conditions change, so check the current status before driving it.
