Trip from Dilkon, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ

Drive Time

4h 35m

Distance

249.3 mi

401 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

14 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 22m ★
6 AM
4h 36m
8 AM
5h 3m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 43m
3 PM
4h 47m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 28m

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

Downtown Dilkon, AZ, AZ

Dilkon, AZ

Sebastian Luna

Downtown Tempe Junction, AZ, AZ

Tempe Junction, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

The drive from Dilkon, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 249.3 miles and takes about 4h 35m 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, Purple Heart Trail, Black Canyon Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.61 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

124.7 miles from Dilkon, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 4h 35m drive with frequent turns across 249.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 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 93 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 97.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 249.3 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 97.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 246.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 246.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

6
97.8 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
8
246.4 mi into trip | ~4h 29m in

Take the exit toward AZ 143: 48th Street, Broadway Road

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 153 Toward AZ 143: 48th Street, Broadway Road
7
246.6 mi into trip | ~4h 29m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
246.8 mi into trip | ~4h 30m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
248.6 mi into trip | ~4h 33m in | South Roosevelt Street

Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

Between Dilkon, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.

Flagstaff

97.6 mi in | ~1h 53m

Phoenix

97.8 mi in | ~1h 53m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Arizona Veterans Highway 93 mi 1h 33m
Purple Heart Trail 61.2 mi 1h 2m
Black Canyon Freeway 38.4 mi 42m
Winslow–Kayenta Highway 29.5 mi 34m
Maricopa Freeway 7.3 mi 8m
Navajo Route 15 6.2 mi 14m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway 5.8 mi 5m
North Black Canyon Highway 3.2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Arizona Veterans Highway — 93 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dilkon, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.

1

Start on this road

171 ft · 9 sec · this road
2

Turn right

0.2 mi · 58 sec
3

At end of road, turn left onto N15

6.2 mi · 14 min · Navajo Route 15
4

Turn left onto AZ 87

29 mi · 34 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
5

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
6

Merge onto I 40; US 180

61 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Purple Heart Trail
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
8

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
9

Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A

93 mi · 1 hr 33 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
10

Continue on I 17

5.8 mi · 5 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 17

10 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Continue on I 17

3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
13

Continue on I 17

28 mi · 32 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 17; US 60

7.1 mi · 8 min · Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 153 Toward AZ 143: 48th Street, Broadway Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork

501 ft · 12 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on Maricopa Freeway

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Maricopa Freeway
19

Turn left onto East Broadway Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · East Broadway Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
20

Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Roosevelt Street
Use the left lane.
21

At end of road, turn right onto West 13th Street

0.3 mi · 47 sec · West 13th Street
22

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 124.7 miles from Dilkon, AZ, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 80 miles or 1h 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 124.7 miles or 2h 21m 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 41m

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 Dilkon, 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 Dilkon, AZ

This is one driving day of about 249.3 miles and 4h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dilkon, 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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 93 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 124.7 mi from Dilkon, AZ · 2h 21m into the drive

Downtown Flagstaff, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Flagstaff, AZ

125 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.

Popular next leg

Flagstaff, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ

153.3 mi · 2h 45m

Pacing Suggestions

Flagstaff, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Flagstaff, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.7 miles from Dilkon, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle National Monument

National Monument

Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 near mile 146.2
Caution: High Levels of Visitation
View on nps.gov
Walnut Canyon National Monument

Walnut Canyon National Monument

National Monument

Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $25 near mile 86
View on nps.gov
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

National Monument

The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...

12 mi from route ~30 min detour $25 near mile 86
View on nps.gov
Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument

National Monument

Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour $10 near mile 146.2
View on nps.gov
Wupatki National Monument

Wupatki National Monument

National Monument

Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...

25 mi from route ~62 min detour $25 near mile 86
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.61 one way

$99.23 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $52.39 $104.78
premium $5.59 $54.84 $109.67
diesel $5.64 $55.39 $110.77

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$50

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 87.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

14 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Circle K - Tesla Supercharger

Flagstaff, AZ

Tesla

24 DCFC

Shops at Norterra - Tesla Supercharger

Phoenix, AZ

Tesla

16 DCFC

The Collective Sedona - Tesla Supercharger

Sedona, AZ

Tesla

14 DCFC

Courtyard Marriott Flagstaff - Tesla Supercharger

Flagstaff, AZ

Tesla

12 DCFC

Shell Gas Station - Tesla Supercharger

New River, AZ

Tesla

10 DCFC

Shell & Subway Travel Center - Tesla Supercharger

Mayer, AZ

Tesla

8 DCFC

Flagstaff, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

RIVIAN_ADVENTURE

6 DCFC

Sedona, AZ

Sedona, AZ

RIVIAN_ADVENTURE

6 DCFC

Tesla: 6 Electrify America: 3 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 2 eVgo Network: 1 Non-Networked: 1 CIRCLE_K: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.8 0 $26.18 $11.97
Efficient EV 62.3 0 $21.81 $9.97
EV Truck/SUV 99.7 1 $34.90 $15.96

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 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 data refreshed 25 minutes ago

Origin

Dilkon, AZ

Morning in Dilkon on Monday

Local time

8:23 AM

MDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tempe Junction, AZ

Morning in Tempe Junction on Monday

Local time

7:23 AM

MST

Current temp

80°F

Partly Sunny

WSW 0 to 15 mph 12% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 12 at 7:45PM MST until April 13 at 8:00PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ

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

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

41 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

4h 35m 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 Dilkon, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 249.3 miles and takes about 4h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, Purple Heart Trail, Black Canyon Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.7 miles from Dilkon, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $49.61 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 14 significant decision points across 249.3 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 97.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 246.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 246.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Dilkon, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.

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Return Trip

Tempe Junction, AZ to Dilkon, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

250 mi 4h 36m

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