Origin
Fountain Hills, AZ
Afternoon in Fountain Hills on Sunday
Local time
4:17 PM
MST
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fountain Hills, AZ to Tempe, AZ
Drive Time
32m
Distance
22 mi
35 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 29m
★
6 AM
0h 32m
8 AM
0h 38m
10 AM
0h 34m
12 PM
0h 34m
3 PM
0h 34m
5 PM
0h 37m
8 PM
0h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fountain Hills, AZ
Brent Singleton
Tempe, AZ
Vladimir Srajber
Trip Overview
Stretching just 22 miles, this quick trip from Fountain Hills to Tempe is an ideal day outing for those navigating the Desert Southwest. You can expect to spend about 32 minutes behind the wheel, making it a very manageable journey that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, it is a highly economical route for your travel planning. You will primarily utilize North Saguaro Boulevard, the Beeline Highway, and East McKellips Road to reach your destination. Because the entire drive takes place within the same region, you won't experience major shifts in landscape, keeping the travel time consistent and straightforward.
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
11 miles from Fountain Hills, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since this route features 0% highway share, you will be navigating surface streets for the entirety of the 22-mile distance. The longest uninterrupted section you will encounter is a 10.9-mile stretch along the Beeline Highway. As you transition between the local roads, the pace remains steady but requires frequent adjustments due to the nature of the turns. It is a practical, functional drive that avoids the high-speed isolation of major interstates in favor of direct local connectivity.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Beeline Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 10.9 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 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North Saguaro Boulevard.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 22 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.2 miles (North Saguaro Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (AZ 87 / Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 miles (North Alma School Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Saguaro Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto North Saguaro Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
AZ 87 / Beeline Highway
Turn right onto AZ 87 / Beeline Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
15.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
North Alma School Road
Turn left onto North Alma School Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
16.5 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
East McKellips Road
Turn right onto East McKellips Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
22 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard
Turn right onto US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Beeline Highway | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| North Saguaro Boulevard | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| East McKellips Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| North McClintock Drive | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| East McDowell Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Alma School Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Shea Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Hamilton Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Beeline Highway
— 10.9 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fountain Hills, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on North Hamilton Drive
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Hamilton Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto North Saguaro Boulevard
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
North Saguaro Boulevard
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto East Shea Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Shea Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto AZ 87
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Beeline Highway
Use the right lane.
5
Turn right onto East McDowell Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East McDowell Road
6
Turn left onto North Alma School Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Alma School Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto East McKellips Road
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
East McKellips Road
Use the none lane.
8
Turn left onto North McClintock Drive
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
North McClintock Drive
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
60 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
Use the right lane.
10
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 32-minute trek, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time, allowing you to easily work the trip around your existing schedule. There are no mandatory stops required for such a brief duration, though you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Fountain Hills to ensure you stay within your $4 budget. Prioritize navigating the turns carefully, especially during peak local traffic hours when surface streets are at their busiest. A helpful tip is to map your specific turns onto East McKellips Road in advance, as the shift from the Beeline Highway requires clear navigation. Enjoy the convenience of this rapid transit between two desert communities.
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 11 miles from Fountain Hills, AZ, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.9 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 22 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
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 Fountain Hills, 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 Fountain Hills, AZ
This is one driving day of about 22 miles and 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fountain Hills, 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.
The longest stretch is on Beeline Highway for about 10.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11 mi from Fountain Hills, AZ · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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
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
$4.38 one way
$8.76 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $4.62 | $9.25 |
| premium | $5.59 | $4.84 | $9.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.89 | $9.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.31 | $1.06 |
| Efficient EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.92 | $0.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.08 | $1.41 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
4:17 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
63°F
Mesa, AZ
11 mi in
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
2 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
32m 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 Fountain Hills, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 22 miles and takes about 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Beeline Highway, North Saguaro Boulevard, East McKellips Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11 miles from Fountain Hills, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.38 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 22 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.2 miles (North Saguaro Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (AZ 87 / Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 miles (North Alma School Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fountain Hills, AZ to Tempe, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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