Trip from Gilbert, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ

Drive Time

23m

Distance

13.4 mi

22 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 6 min
4 AM
0h 21m ★
6 AM
0h 23m
8 AM
0h 27m
10 AM
0h 25m
12 PM
0h 24m
3 PM
0h 25m
5 PM
0h 27m
8 PM
0h 22m

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

Downtown Gilbert, AZ, AZ

Gilbert, AZ

Zsolt Pujsz

Downtown Tempe Junction, AZ, AZ

Tempe Junction, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

If you are looking to get from Gilbert to Tempe Junction, you are in for a quick, straightforward trip covering just 13.4 miles. This drive typically takes about 23 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Because the route stays entirely within the Desert Southwest, you won't need to worry about changing landscapes or regional transitions. With fuel costs estimated at around $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly option for your schedule. You can easily manage this journey in one go, as there is no need to split the drive into multiple days. It is a practical, no-fuss transit that gets you where you need to be without the commitment of a long-haul road trip.

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

6.7 miles from Gilbert, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience, as this route has zero highway share. You will navigate via North Elm Street, East Vaughn Avenue, and North Gilbert Road, which keeps you focused on surface streets for the entire 13.4-mile distance. Since there are no long highway stretches—the longest segment is 0 miles on North Elm Street—you should be prepared for frequent turns and steady urban driving. The personality of this road is defined by its local character, requiring you to stay alert at intersections rather than settling into a cruise-control rhythm. It is a functional, hands-on drive that keeps you moving through the local grid.

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.
North Elm Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Gilbert, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ is easy. At 23m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Gilbert, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Elm Street Unavailable Refreshing
East Vaughn Avenue Unavailable Refreshing
North Gilbert Road Unavailable Refreshing
US 60 West Unavailable Refreshing
Superstition Freeway Unavailable Refreshing
Mill Avenue Unavailable Refreshing
South Mill Avenue Unavailable Refreshing
West 13th Street Unavailable Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: North Elm Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on the route

203 ft · 20 sec · the route
2

Turn left onto North Elm Street

0.2 mi · 44 sec · North Elm Street
3

At the end of the road, turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue

440 ft · 24 sec · East Vaughn Avenue
4

Turn right onto North Gilbert Road

2.1 mi · 4 min · North Gilbert Road
5

Turn left onto US 60 West: Phoenix

0.3 mi · 46 sec · US 60 West: Phoenix
6

Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway

8.1 mi · 9 min · Superstition Freeway
7

Take the exit slight right toward Mill Avenue

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Mill Avenue
8

Turn right onto South Mill Avenue

2.0 mi · 4 min · South Mill Avenue
9

Turn left onto West 13th Street

0.2 mi · 37 sec · West 13th Street
10

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Because this is a short 23-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, allowing you to plan around your specific schedule. You won't need to worry about scheduling rest stops, as the entire route is designed to be completed in one seamless stretch. Given the turn-heavy nature of the streets, keep your navigation tools handy to ensure you catch every turn on North Elm Street and East Vaughn Avenue. Since fuel costs are minimal at $3, you won't need to stress about gas stations along the way. Your best bet is to simply head out whenever it is convenient for you and enjoy the straightforward, efficient transit between these two points.

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 6.7 miles from Gilbert, AZ, or about 11m into the drive.

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 13.4 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 6.7 miles or 11m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 19m

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 Gilbert, 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 Gilbert, AZ

This is one driving day of about 13.4 miles and 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Gilbert, 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.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 6.7 mi from Gilbert, AZ · 11m into the drive

Downtown Tempe, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tempe, AZ

7 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

Tempe, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tempe, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 6.7 miles from Gilbert, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$2.67 one way

$5.33 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 5 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $2.82 $5.63
premium $5.59 $2.95 $5.89
diesel $5.64 $2.98 $5.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$28–$53

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 4.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 4 0 $1.41 $0.64
Efficient EV 3.4 0 $1.17 $0.54
EV Truck/SUV 5.4 0 $1.88 $0.86

Gas CO2

5 kg

EV CO2

2 kg (60% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Gilbert, AZ

Afternoon in Gilbert on Sunday

Local time

4:05 PM

MST

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tempe Junction, AZ

Afternoon in Tempe Junction on Sunday

Local time

4:05 PM

MST

Current temp

60°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

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

23m 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 Gilbert, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 13.4 miles and takes about 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Elm Street, East Vaughn Avenue, North Gilbert Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.7 miles from Gilbert, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.67 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.
The drive from Gilbert, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ is easy. At 23m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Gilbert, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Gilbert, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Gilbert, AZ or browse trips ending in Tempe Junction, AZ.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.

Explore maps for Gilbert, AZ or Tempe Junction, AZ on MapSof.net.