Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 53m
Distance
348.5 mi
561 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$69
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fredonia, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Tempe, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
This 348.5-mile drive from Fredonia, AZ to Tempe, AZ will take approximately 6 hours and 53 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Arizona Veterans Highway, Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway, and Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway. With a highway share of only 15%, expect a more local driving experience rather than high-speed interstate travel. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $70. Both your starting and ending points are within the Desert Southwest region, so you'll remain in a familiar landscape throughout your travels.
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
174.2 miles from Fredonia, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 53m. Total distance: 348.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 53m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' with only 15% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a more winding and potentially slower pace, especially on the local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 93 miles on the Arizona Veterans Highway. Be prepared for frequent changes in direction and road type as you navigate between these connecting highways, offering a hands-on driving experience.
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 334 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 348.5 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 334 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 334.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 338.2 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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
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
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward McClintock Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fredonia, AZ and Tempe, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Flagstaff
Phoenix
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 93 mi | 1h 33m |
| Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway | 83.6 mi | 1h 53m |
| Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway | 58 mi | 1h 8m |
| Flagstaff-Cameron Highway | 40.2 mi | 48m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 8.3 mi | 10m |
| US Highway 89 | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 5.8 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fredonia, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
Start on AZ 389
Turn right onto US 89A
Continue on US 89A
At end of road, turn right onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Continue on US 89
Enter roundabout onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Continue on US 89
Continue on US 89
Turn left onto Country Club Drive
Take the exit
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
Continue on I 17
Continue on I 17
Continue on I 17
Continue on I 17
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 10
Continue on I 10
Continue on I 10
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
Take the exit
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
Arrive at destination
For this single-day drive, consider an early morning departure from Fredonia, AZ, to maximize your daylight hours and allow for a relaxed pace. With a total duration of nearly 7 hours, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, though you might want to take advantage of the flexibility this drive offers for spontaneous breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition onto the local roads, and be mindful of the turn-heavy nature of the route. The estimated fuel cost is $70, so factor that into your budget.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 77 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.2 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tempe, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fredonia, 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 Fredonia, AZ
This is one driving day of about 348.5 miles and 6h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 174.2 mi from Fredonia, AZ · 3h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 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.
A short stop after about 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 174.2 miles from Fredonia, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$69.43 one way
$138.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $73.47 | $146.95 |
| premium | $5.59 | $76.71 | $153.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.94 | $153.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.6 | 1 | $36.59 | $16.73 |
| Efficient EV | 87.1 | 0 | $30.49 | $13.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.4 | 1 | $48.79 | $22.30 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Fredonia on Friday
Local time
7:51 AM
MST
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Tempe on Friday
Local time
7:51 AM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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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