Ask any Queen Creek commuter what frustrates them most about getting around, and SR-24 and Ellsworth Road come up almost immediately. Both are in the middle of genuine, funded improvement projects right now. Here is what is actually happening, and what it means for residents in the meantime.
Queen Creek’s rapid growth has outpaced its road network in more than one corridor, and nowhere is that more visible than on SR-24 and Ellsworth Road, the two routes most residents rely on to reach the rest of the East Valley and Phoenix metro. Multiple widening and interchange projects are underway or funded across both, which should meaningfully improve the daily commute once complete.
SR-24: The Gateway Freeway
State Route 24, also known as the Gateway Freeway, is currently a five-mile interim roadway running between Loop 202 and Ironwood Drive just north of Queen Creek. In its current interim form, it runs two lanes in each direction with a center median, bridges over Ellsworth and Mountain roads, and at-grade intersections at several points. It remains the preferred freeway access point for both Queen Creek and San Tan Valley drivers heading toward the broader Phoenix metro.
ADOT is currently in the design phase to widen SR-24 between Loop 202 and Ironwood Drive, adding two general purpose lanes in each direction between Loop 202 and Williams Field Road, and one general purpose lane in each direction between Williams Field Road and Ironwood Drive. Design work was completed in spring 2026, with construction currently planned for late 2026.
A future extension of SR-24 from Ironwood Drive east to US-60 is being studied by Pinal County, but it is not currently funded and has no set timeline. If you are counting on that extension for a future commute, treat it as a long-term possibility rather than something to plan around in the near term.
Ellsworth Road: Widening on Two Fronts
Ellsworth Road, the main north-south corridor connecting Queen Creek to SR-24, is being widened in more than one stretch simultaneously. The City of Mesa began widening Ellsworth Road to three lanes in each direction between Ray Road and Germann Road starting in January 2026, working through the segments in phases beginning with the northbound lanes. Separately, Queen Creek and the Maricopa County Department of Transportation have partnered on an $18 million project widening Ellsworth further south, between Empire Boulevard and Cloud Road.
| Project | Segment | Status |
|---|---|---|
| SR-24 widening | Loop 202 to Ironwood Drive | Design complete spring 2026, construction planned late 2026 |
| SR-24 Ellsworth to Ironwood upgrade | Signal Butte & Meridian interchanges | Planned for permanent construction in 2026 (Prop 479 funded) |
| Ellsworth Rd widening (Mesa) | Ray Road to Germann Road | Underway, began January 2026 |
| Ellsworth Rd widening (QC/MCDOT) | Empire Blvd to Cloud Road | $18M joint project |
| SR-24 extension, Ironwood to US-60 | Pinal County section | Under study, not yet funded |
Alternatives to Ellsworth Road
Ellsworth is not the only north-south route into SR-24. Meridian Road’s connection from Combs Road to SR-24 was completed in 2023 specifically to give drivers a secondary route and take pressure off Ellsworth and Ironwood roads, which town officials described at the time as already over capacity. Ironwood Road provides a third north-south connection to SR-24, and the interchange there has been a particular focus of state and town funding discussions, including a contested $87.5 million state appropriation and a roughly $25 million town-funded interim reconstruction.
Queen Creek’s road network is playing catch-up with its population growth, but the projects currently underway on both SR-24 and Ellsworth Road represent real, funded progress rather than distant promises. For residents dealing with today’s traffic, the more useful question is often which alternate route, Meridian or Ironwood, fits their specific commute best while these improvements are completed.
What This Means If You’re Choosing a Neighborhood
- Test your actual commute route and time. Traffic patterns shift meaningfully depending on active construction zones, so drive the route you would actually take before settling on a neighborhood.
- Consider proximity to Meridian or Signal Butte. These roads offer alternate access to SR-24 that can bypass some of the heaviest Ellsworth Road congestion.
- Expect ongoing construction through 2026 and beyond. Both SR-24 widening and Ellsworth Road improvements are multi-year projects, so plan for periodic lane reductions and detours in the near term.
- Watch for long-term upside. Once current projects are complete, commute times on both corridors should improve meaningfully for nearby neighborhoods.
Road access is one of the most overlooked factors in a Queen Creek home search, and it can meaningfully affect daily quality of life regardless of how much you love a specific neighborhood. I am glad to walk through current commute realities for any area you are considering, including how nearby construction projects might affect your day-to-day drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SR-24 and where does it go?
State Route 24, also called the Gateway Freeway, is currently a five-mile interim roadway running between Loop 202 and Ironwood Drive north of Queen Creek. It gives Queen Creek and San Tan Valley residents their preferred freeway connection into the broader Phoenix metro through Loop 202.
Is SR-24 being widened?
Yes. ADOT is in the design phase to widen SR-24 between Loop 202 and Ironwood Drive, adding two general purpose lanes in each direction between Loop 202 and Williams Field Road, and one general purpose lane in each direction between Williams Field Road and Ironwood Drive. Design was completed in spring 2026, with construction currently planned for late 2026.
Will SR-24 be extended past Ironwood Drive?
A potential future extension from Ironwood Drive to US-60 falls within Pinal County, which is leading a study to evaluate it with ADOT’s participation. This extension is not currently funded, so there is no set timeframe for when, or if, it will move forward.
Is Ellsworth Road being widened in Queen Creek?
Yes, in more than one stretch. The City of Mesa began widening Ellsworth Road to three lanes in each direction between Ray Road and Germann Road starting in January 2026, while Queen Creek and the Maricopa County Department of Transportation have separately partnered on an 18 million dollar widening project further south, between Empire Boulevard and Cloud Road.
What are the alternatives to Ellsworth Road for reaching SR-24?
Meridian Road and Ironwood Road both provide north-south connections to SR-24 in addition to Ellsworth Road. Meridian Road’s connection from Combs Road to SR-24 was completed in 2023 specifically to give drivers a secondary route and relieve pressure on Ellsworth and Ironwood.
Should road access affect which Queen Creek neighborhood I choose?
It is worth factoring in, particularly if your commute relies on SR-24 during peak hours. Homes closer to Meridian, Ironwood, or Signal Butte roads may offer a less congested alternative to the heavily traveled Ellsworth corridor, especially while widening projects are still under construction.
👉 You may also find this video helpful for additional tips and information about Queen Creek:
Weighing a Queen Creek neighborhood against your actual commute? I would love to walk through current road projects and access points with you.
