Origin
Apache Junction, AZ
Night in Apache Junction on Thursday
Local time
11:21 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Apache Junction, AZ to Tempe, AZ
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
33m
Distance
24.7 mi
40 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 31m
★
6 AM
0h 33m
8 AM
0h 39m
10 AM
0h 35m
12 PM
0h 35m
3 PM
0h 36m
5 PM
0h 39m
8 PM
0h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Apache Junction, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Tempe, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 24.7-mile drive from Apache Junction to Tempe, Arizona, is easily manageable in about 33 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route primarily utilizes the Superstition Freeway, with a significant portion of your journey on this highway. With an estimated fuel cost of just $5, this is a very budget-friendly option for getting between these two Desert Southwest locations. You won't need to split this drive or plan for an overnight stay, offering plenty of flexibility for your schedule. Expect a highway-focused experience as you make your way across the state.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 33m. Total distance: 24.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with about 72% of the journey taking place on faster roads. You'll spend a good chunk of time on the Superstition Freeway, including a continuous stretch of 17.4 miles. The primary roads you'll navigate are the Superstition Freeway, South Ironwood Drive, and East Broadway Road. While largely a freeway experience, the transition onto and off of these main arteries will involve some local road driving. Overall, expect a smooth and direct progression rather than a winding or particularly scenic route.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Superstition Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Superstition Freeway and South Ironwood Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near South Ironwood Drive.
Driving Effort
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 24.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 33m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (South Ironwood Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South Ironwood Drive
Turn left onto South Ironwood Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward US 60 West: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 60 West: Phoenix
5
3.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
20.7 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 176B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
8
22.6 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Superstition Freeway | 17.4 mi | 20m |
| South Ironwood Drive | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| East Broadway Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West Apache Trail | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South McClintock Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Price Freeway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Apache Trail | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Price Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Superstition Freeway
— 17.4 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apache Junction, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on North Apache Trail
196 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Apache Trail
2
Continue on North Apache Trail
376 ft
·
23 sec
·
North Apache Trail
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 80 Hist
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Apache Trail
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto South Ironwood Drive
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South Ironwood Drive
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward US 60 West: Phoenix
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 60
17 mi
·
20 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
2 min
Exit 176B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Price Freeway
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 53
Toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto South Price Road
302 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Price Road
11
Turn left onto East Broadway Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Broadway Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
South McClintock Drive
13
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
137 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.92 one way
$9.84 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $5.21 | $10.41 |
| premium | $5.59 | $5.44 | $10.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.45 | $10.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.4 | 0 | $2.59 | $1.19 |
| Efficient EV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.16 | $0.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.9 | 0 | $3.46 | $1.58 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (67% 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
Night in Tempe on Thursday
Local time
11:21 PM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Partly Sunny
SW 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
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
28 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
33m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Apache Junction, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 24.7 miles and takes about 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Superstition Freeway, South Ironwood Drive, East Broadway Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.4 miles from Apache Junction, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.92 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.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 24.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 33m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (South Ironwood Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Apache Junction, AZ to Tempe, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument.
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