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Trip from Camp Verde, 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

1h 53m

Distance

102.3 mi

165 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 45m ★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States

Camp Verde, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Tempe, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Camp Verde, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 102.3 miles and takes about 1h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, Red Mountain Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 39.4 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.38 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.

Midpoint

51.2 miles from Camp Verde, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 102.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

The drive from Camp Verde, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 102.3 miles and takes about 1h 53m, 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 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Arizona Veterans Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 39.4 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 87.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 87.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
87.9 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in

Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles

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 200A Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, L...
8
88 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
8
92 mi into trip | ~1h 39m 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
92.5 mi into trip | ~1h 40m 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
7
100.4 mi into trip | ~1h 49m 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 8 Toward McClintock Drive

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Camp Verde, AZ and Tempe, AZ, road signs point toward Los Angeles and Tucson.

Los Angeles

87.9 mi in | ~1h 34m

Tucson

88 mi in | ~1h 34m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway 39.4 mi 39m
Black Canyon Freeway 35.3 mi 38m
Red Mountain Freeway 8.3 mi 10m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway 5.8 mi 5m
North Black Canyon Highway 3.2 mi 3m
Papago Freeway 2.7 mi 3m
South Access Road 1.8 mi 2m
South McClintock Drive 1.5 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Arizona Veterans Highway — 39.4 mi, about 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Camp Verde, AZ and Tempe, AZ.

1

Start on South Main Street

0.5 mi · 57 sec · South Main Street
2

At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260

1.3 mi · 2 min · West General Crook Trail
3

Turn left onto South Access Road

1.8 mi · 2 min · South Access Road
4

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 17 South
5

Merge onto I 17

39 mi · 39 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
6

Continue on I 17

5.8 mi · 5 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 17

10 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Continue on I 17

3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on I 17

25 mi · 28 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Exit 200A Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson Use the slight left lane.
12

Merge onto I 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
14

Continue on I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.1 mi · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147 Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East
17

Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

7.9 mi · 9 min · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Exit 8 Toward McClintock Drive Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Turn right onto South McClintock Drive

1.5 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive
Use the right lane.
20

Turn right onto US 80 Hist

60 ft · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
Use the right lane.
21

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.2 miles from Camp Verde, AZ, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.4 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 23 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 51.2 miles or 53m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 29m

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 Camp Verde, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Camp Verde, AZ

This is one driving day of about 102.3 miles and 1h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Camp Verde, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 39.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 51.2 mi from Camp Verde, AZ · 53m into the drive

census designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Black Canyon City, AZ

51 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

Cordes Lakes, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

New River, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.2 miles from Camp Verde, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.38 one way

$40.76 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $21.57 $43.14
premium $5.59 $22.52 $45.04
diesel $5.61 $22.59 $45.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.7 0 $10.74 $4.91
Efficient EV 25.6 0 $8.95 $4.09
EV Truck/SUV 40.9 0 $14.32 $6.55

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Camp Verde, AZ

Night in Camp Verde on Friday

Local time

9:31 PM

MST

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tempe, AZ

Night in Tempe on Friday

Local time

9:31 PM

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

48 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

1h 53m 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 Camp Verde, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 102.3 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, Red Mountain Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 51.2 miles from Camp Verde, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.38 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 87.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Between Camp Verde, AZ and Tempe, AZ, road signs point toward Los Angeles and Tucson.

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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Explore More

Return Trip

Tempe, AZ to Camp Verde, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

102.2 mi 1h 54m

Explore more options from Camp Verde, AZ or browse trips ending in Tempe, AZ.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.