The drive from Bullhead City, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 232 miles and takes about 4h 49m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 93, Grand Avenue, Purple Heart Trail for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.1 miles on US 93.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.22 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
116 miles from Bullhead City, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 232 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The drive from Bullhead City, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 232 miles and takes about 4h 49m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 47 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 93 is the longest continuous segment at about 91.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.2 miles in near US 93.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 232 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 33.2 miles (US 93): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.6 miles (US 93): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
33.2 mi into trip|~43m in|US 93
Turn left onto US 93 toward US 93, I 40, I 11 Future: Flagstaff, Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 93, I 40, I 11 Future: Flagstaff, Pho...
8
55.6 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|US 93
Take the exit onto US 93 toward US 93 South: Wickenburg, Phoenix
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 71
Toward US 93 South: Wickenburg, Phoenix
8
210.4 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
8
223.7 mi into trip|~4h 35m in|Red Mountain Freeway
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
8
224.1 mi into trip|~4h 36m in|Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bullhead City, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Phoenix along the way.
Phoenix
33.2 mi in|~43m|via US 93
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 93
91.1 mi
1h 46m
Grand Avenue
26.6 mi
36m
Purple Heart Trail
22.1 mi
22m
Bullhead City-Kingman Highway
17.3 mi
20m
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
16.3 mi
24m
Papago Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
10.1 mi
13m
Agua Fria Freeway
8.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
US 93
— 91.1 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bullhead City, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.
1
Start on 4th Street
20 ft·2 sec·4th Street
2
Turn right onto AZ 95
1.7 mi·2 min·Mohave Valley Highway
3
Continue on AZ 68
1.5 mi·2 min·Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
4
Continue on AZ 68
17 mi·19 min·Bullhead City-Kingman Highway
5
Continue on AZ 68
3.4 mi·3 min·Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
6
Continue on AZ 68
0.2 mi·17 sec·Bullhead City-Kingman Highway
7
Merge onto AZ 68
5.1 mi·6 min·Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 93 South: Kingman
9
Merge onto US 93
1.7 mi·1 min·Hoover Dam–Kingman Highway
10
Continue on US 93
2.0 mi·3 min·West Beale Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto US 93
0.3 mi·37 sec·US 93
Toward US 93, I 40, I 11 Future: Flagstaff, PhoenixUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 40; US 93
22 mi·22 min·Purple Heart Trail
13
Take the exit onto US 93
91 mi·1 hr 46 min·US 93
Exit 71Toward US 93 South: Wickenburg, PhoenixUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto US 93
11 mi·12 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.6 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
16
Enter roundabout onto US 93
138 ft·5 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
17
Continue on US 93
1.2 mi·2 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
18
Enter roundabout onto US 93
139 ft·4 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
19
Continue on US 93
0.9 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.9 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.5 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
22
Continue on US 93
104 ft·4 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
1.2 mi·2 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
24
Enter roundabout onto US 60
201 ft·8 sec·East Wickenburg Way
25
Continue on US 60
1.5 mi·2 min·East Wickenburg Way
26
Continue on US 60
8.7 mi·10 min·Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
27
Continue on US 60
5.2 mi·5 min·Grand Avenue
Use the right lane.
28
Continue on US 60
1.7 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
29
Continue on US 60
1.1 mi·1 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
20 mi·29 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
31
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
32
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
8.9 mi·10 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 10 East: PhoenixUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
34
Merge onto I 10
10 mi·12 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·35 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
36
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.1 mi·7 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi·41 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop East
39
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
4.9 mi·5 min·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 6Toward Priest Drive, Center ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on Red Mountain Freeeway
0.1 mi·17 sec·Red Mountain Freeeway
Toward Center Parkway, Priest Drive
42
Turn right onto North Priest Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·North Priest Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
43
Continue on South Priest Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·South Priest Drive
Use the left lane.
44
Turn left onto West University Drive
1.0 mi·1 min·West University Drive
Use the left lane.
45
Turn right onto South Farmer Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·South Farmer Avenue
46
At end of road, turn left onto West 13th Street
236 ft·8 sec·West 13th Street
47
Arrive at destination
West 13th Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 116 miles from Bullhead City, AZ, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 51 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tempe Junction, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bullhead City, 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 Bullhead City, AZ
This is one driving day of about 232 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Bullhead City, 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 US 93 for about 91.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 116 mi from Bullhead City, AZ
· 2h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 116 miles from Bullhead City, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 93 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.1 miles.
Arriving in Tempe Junction, AZ
The final approach into Tempe Junction, 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 Junction, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Rainforest Cafe
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Tempe, Arizona
Near the end, short detour
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
$20 to $30
mile 232
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.22 one way
$92.43 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$48.91
$97.82
premium
$5.59
$51.07
$102.13
diesel
$5.61
$51.22
$102.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.6
0
$24.36
$11.14
Efficient EV
58
0
$20.30
$9.28
EV Truck/SUV
92.8
1
$32.48
$14.85
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Bullhead City, AZ
Morning
in Bullhead City on Saturday
Local time
6:31 AM
MST
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tempe Junction, AZ
Morning
in Tempe Junction on Saturday
Local time
6:31 AM
MST
Current temp
90°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 49m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bullhead City, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 232 miles and takes about 4h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 93, Grand Avenue, Purple Heart Trail. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 116 miles from Bullhead City, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.22 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 232 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 33.2 miles (US 93): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.6 miles (US 93): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Bullhead City, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Phoenix along the way.
