Origin
Ajo, AZ
Morning in Ajo on Saturday
Local time
7:54 AM
MST
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ajo, AZ to Tempe, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
126.5 mi
204 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 22m
★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ajo, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Tempe, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ajo, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 126.5 miles and takes about 2h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Blue Star Memorial Highway, Gila Bend-Lukeville Highway, South John Wayne Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.5 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.20 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63.2 miles from Ajo, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 126.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 32m drive with frequent turns across 126.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Blue Star Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 83.1 miles in near AZ 347 / South John Wayne Parkway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 126.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 83.1 miles (AZ 347 / South John Wayne Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 111.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 120.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
83.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
AZ 347 / South John Wayne Parkway
Turn left onto AZ 347 / South John Wayne Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
111.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Turn left toward I 10 West: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
7
120.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
6
120.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 60 East: Mesa Globe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa Globe
7
124 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward McClintock Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 175
Toward McClintock Drive
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Memorial Highway | 35.5 mi | 35m |
| Gila Bend-Lukeville Highway | 31.5 mi | 36m |
| South John Wayne Parkway | 14.8 mi | 18m |
| Maricopa Road | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| North Ajo Gila Bend Highway | 8.1 mi | 10m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| Superstition Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 35.5 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ajo, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 85
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Taladro Avenue
2
Continue on AZ 85
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Pizal Lane
3
Continue on AZ 85
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Solana Avenue
4
Continue on AZ 85
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North 2nd Avenue
5
Continue on AZ 85
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
North Ajo Gila Bend Highway
6
Continue on AZ 85
31 mi
·
36 min
·
Gila Bend-Lukeville Highway
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 8 East: Tucson
8
Merge onto I 8
35 mi
·
35 min
·
Blue Star Memorial Highway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward AZ 84 East: Maricopa
10
Turn left onto AZ 84
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway
11
Turn left onto AZ 347
15 mi
·
18 min
·
South John Wayne Parkway
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on AZ 347
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Maricopa Road
13
Continue on AZ 347
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Queen Creek Road
14
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto I 10
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
16
Continue on I 10
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa Globe
19
Merge onto US 60
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 175
Toward McClintock Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South McClintock Drive
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
137 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.2 miles from Ajo, AZ, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 28 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.2 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tempe, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ajo, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ajo, AZ
This is one driving day of about 126.5 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Ajo, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 35.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.2 mi from Ajo, AZ · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.2 miles from Ajo, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tempe, AZ
The final approach into Tempe, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Tempe, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.20 one way
$50.40 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $26.67 | $53.34 |
| premium | $5.59 | $27.84 | $55.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.93 | $55.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.28 | $6.07 |
| Efficient EV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.07 | $5.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.71 | $8.10 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Morning in Tempe on Saturday
Local time
7:54 AM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 32m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ajo, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 126.5 miles and takes about 2h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Blue Star Memorial Highway, Gila Bend-Lukeville Highway, South John Wayne Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.2 miles from Ajo, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 126.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 83.1 miles (AZ 347 / South John Wayne Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 111.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 120.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ajo, AZ to Tempe, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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