Origin
Ehrenberg, AZ
Evening in Ehrenberg on Thursday
Local time
6:13 PM
MST
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ehrenberg, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
155.1 mi
250 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 36m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 7m
8 PM
2h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ehrenberg, AZ
Boris Hamer
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
This 155.1-mile journey from Ehrenberg, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ takes about 2 hours and 46 minutes and is best suited as a single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate via the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Papago Freeway, and Red Mountain Freeway, with about 17% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is $31. Given its manageable distance and duration, this drive offers a straightforward way to travel within the Desert Southwest region without needing an overnight stop. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77.6 miles from Ehrenberg, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 155.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 155.1-mile stretch. While 17% of your travel will be on highways, the majority of the route involves navigating local roads, suggesting a more engaged driving experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 124.1 miles on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, offering a significant period of consistent travel before the more urban transitions. This profile means you'll likely experience varied speed limits and more frequent intersections as you approach your destination in Tempe Junction.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 124.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 155.1 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 0.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 146.8 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.9 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
146.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m 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
6
146.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
147.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m 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
8
152.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward Priest Drive, Center Parkway
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 6
Toward Priest Drive, Center Parkway
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 124.1 mi | 2h 5m |
| Papago Freeway | 21.2 mi | 24m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| West University Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| South Priest Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Priest Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Farmer Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 124.1 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ehrenberg, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.
1
Start on Ehrenberg Parker Highway
156 ft
·
10 sec
·
Ehrenberg Parker Highway
2
Turn left onto Frontage Road North
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Frontage Road North
3
Turn right onto Poston Road
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Poston Road
4
Enter roundabout
407 ft
·
17 sec
5
Continue
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
6
Merge onto I 10; US 95
124 mi
·
2 hr 5 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
9
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
12
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 6
Toward Priest Drive, Center Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on Red Mountain Freeeway
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeeway
Toward Center Parkway, Priest Drive
15
Turn right onto North Priest Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Priest Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on South Priest Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Priest Drive
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto West University Drive
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West University Drive
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto South Farmer Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farmer Avenue
19
At end of road, turn left onto West 13th Street
236 ft
·
8 sec
·
West 13th Street
20
Arrive at destination
West 13th Street
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 46-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that suits you best. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 155.1 miles, there's no need to rush. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $31, and plan to refuel before leaving Ehrenberg if needed. Given the route's 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, be prepared for more frequent adjustments and pay close attention to navigation, especially as you enter the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. A good tip is to familiarize yourself with the transition onto the Papago Freeway and Red Mountain Freeway before you start.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.6 miles from Ehrenberg, AZ, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 124.1 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 34 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.6 miles or 1h 19m 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 10m
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 Ehrenberg, 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 Ehrenberg, AZ
This is one driving day of about 155.1 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Ehrenberg, 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 Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 124.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.6 mi from Ehrenberg, AZ · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.6 miles from Ehrenberg, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 124.1 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.90 one way
$61.80 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $32.70 | $65.40 |
| premium | $5.59 | $34.14 | $68.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.24 | $68.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.29 | $7.44 |
| Efficient EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.57 | $6.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62 | 0 | $21.71 | $9.93 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Junction, AZ
Evening in Tempe Junction on Thursday
Local time
6:13 PM
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
34 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 46m 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 Ehrenberg, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 155.1 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Papago Freeway, Red Mountain Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.6 miles from Ehrenberg, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.90 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 155.1 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 0.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 146.8 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 146.9 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Ehrenberg, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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