Origin
Benson, AZ
Afternoon in Benson on Sunday
Local time
4:38 PM
MST
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Benson, AZ to Tempe, AZ
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
158.4 mi
255 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 19m
★
6 AM
2h 29m
8 AM
2h 49m
10 AM
2h 36m
12 PM
2h 34m
3 PM
2h 37m
5 PM
2h 48m
8 PM
2h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Benson, AZ
Александр Романов
Tempe, AZ
Vladimir Srajber
Trip Overview
Spanning 158.4 miles across the Desert Southwest, this direct route from Benson to Tempe is an efficient journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 28 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $31 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating through the heart of Arizona, you will rely on a combination of East 4th Street, I-10 West, and South Freeway. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this drive offers a practical path between the two regions without requiring complex logistical planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
79.2 miles from Benson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between road types. While the route involves significant interstate travel, the journey begins with local navigation on East 4th Street, which serves as your longest uninterrupted stretch. The character of the road shifts as you merge onto I-10 West and the South Freeway, moving away from local town streets into a more structured transit pattern. Because the highway share is 0% on certain segments, you will experience a mix of speeds and turning requirements that keep the drive engaging. Be prepared for varied road conditions as you head toward Tempe.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East 4th Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Benson, AZ to Tempe, AZ is easy. At 2h 28m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Benson, AZ to Tempe, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 4th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 10 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Maricopa Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 60 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Superstition Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East 4th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benson, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on South San Pedro Street
16 ft
·
6 sec
·
South San Pedro Street
2
Turn left onto East 4th Street
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East 4th Street
3
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Tucson
44 mi
·
46 min
·
I 10 West: Tucson
4
Continue on South Freeway
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Freeway
5
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
6
Keep slight left to continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
7
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
8
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
10
Keep slight right to continue on US 60 East: Mesa Globe
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 60 East: Mesa Globe
11
Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Superstition Freeway
12
Take the exit slight right toward McClintock Drive
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
McClintock Drive
13
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South McClintock Drive
14
Turn left onto East Apache Boulevard
138 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 28 minute duration, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without needing to schedule multiple rest stops. Since this is a relatively quick trip, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours when merging onto the South Freeway near your destination. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $31 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current local pricing. Since the route involves several turns, confirm your navigation settings before leaving Benson to ensure you stay on course throughout the transition to I-10 West. Taking advantage of the short travel time allows you to make the most of your day once you arrive in Tempe.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 79.2 miles from Benson, AZ, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
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 80 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.2 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 Benson, 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 Benson, AZ
This is one driving day of about 158.4 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Benson, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.2 mi from Benson, AZ · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.2 miles from Benson, 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
$31.52 one way
$63.05 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $33.29 | $66.58 |
| premium | $5.59 | $34.84 | $69.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.19 | $70.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.63 | $7.60 |
| Efficient EV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.86 | $6.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.4 | 0 | $22.18 | $10.14 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (65% 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
Afternoon in Tempe on Sunday
Local time
4:38 PM
MST
Current temp
59°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
16 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 28m 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 Benson, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 158.4 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East 4th Street, I 10 West, South Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.2 miles from Benson, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.52 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.
The drive from Benson, AZ to Tempe, AZ is easy. At 2h 28m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Benson, AZ to Tempe, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Benson, AZ to Tempe, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tempe, AZ
More from Benson, AZ
More trips to Tempe, AZ
Explore more options from Benson, AZ or browse trips ending in Tempe, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Benson, AZ or Tempe, AZ on MapSof.net.