Origin
Grand Canyon, AZ
Late night in Grand Canyon on Wednesday
Local time
1:15 AM
MST
Current temp
27°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Grand Canyon, AZ to Tempe, AZ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
4h 27m
Distance
238.5 mi
384 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 14m
★
6 AM
4h 27m
8 AM
4h 54m
10 AM
4h 37m
12 PM
4h 34m
3 PM
4h 38m
5 PM
4h 53m
8 PM
4h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Canyon, AZ
Strange Happenings
Tempe, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a journey from the Grand Canyon to Tempe covers approximately 238.5 miles and will take about 4 hours and 27 minutes of driving time. This drive is easily manageable as a single-day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $48. You'll primarily navigate on the Arizona Veterans Highway and the Black Canyon Freeway. The route remains within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape. With a recommended one-day duration, you can focus on enjoying the drive without needing to plan an overnight stop.
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
119.2 miles from Grand Canyon, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This drive presents a turn-heavy local feel for a significant portion, punctuated by stretches of highway. While only 20% of the route is on highways, you'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 93 miles on the Arizona Veterans Highway. Expect a varied driving experience, transitioning between more involved local road navigation and faster highway segments. The character of the road shifts as you progress, so stay alert for changes in speed limits and road conditions.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 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 224 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 238.5 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 224 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.2 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
224 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 200A
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, L...
8
224.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
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
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
8
228.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m 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
8
228.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m 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
7
236.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m in
Take the exit toward McClintock Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8
Toward McClintock Drive
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Grand Canyon, AZ and Tempe, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Tucson.
Flagstaff
85.8 mi in
|
~1h 44m
Phoenix
86.1 mi in
|
~1h 45m
Los Angeles
224 mi in
|
~4h 8m
Tucson
224.2 mi in
|
~4h 8m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 93 mi | 1h 33m |
| Williams–Grand Canyon–Cameron Highway | 51.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 28.6 mi | 28m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 8.3 mi | 10m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 5.8 mi | 5m |
| South Entrance Road | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| 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 Grand Canyon, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
146 ft
·
9 sec
3
Turn right onto Village Loop Drive
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Village Loop Drive
4
Turn right onto Center Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Center Road
5
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 64
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
South Entrance Road
6
Continue on US 180; AZ 64
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Williams–Grand Canyon–Cameron Highway
7
Enter roundabout onto US 180; AZ 64
131 ft
·
4 sec
·
Williams–Grand Canyon–Cameron Highway
8
Continue on US 180; AZ 64
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Williams–Grand Canyon–Cameron Highway
9
Enter roundabout onto US 180; AZ 64
160 ft
·
5 sec
·
Williams–Grand Canyon–Cameron Highway
10
Continue on US 180; AZ 64
50 mi
·
59 min
·
Williams–Grand Canyon–Cameron Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the ramp onto I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
12
Merge onto I 40
29 mi
·
28 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 17, AZ 89A: Phoenix, Flagstaff
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A: Sedona, Phoenix
15
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
16
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 17
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 200A
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
Use the slight left lane.
22
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
24
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
27
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 8
Toward McClintock Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South McClintock Drive
Use the right lane.
30
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
60 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
Use the right lane.
31
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 27-minute drive, departing earlier in the morning is advisable to maximize your daylight hours. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility with stops; plan for one main stop to break up the 238.5 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longer stretches, and note that the estimated fuel cost is $48. A practical tip for this route is to ensure your navigation is set for local roads as well as highways, given its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile.
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 119.2 miles from Grand Canyon, AZ, or about 2h 19m 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.2 miles or 2h 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 3h 36m
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 Grand Canyon, 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 Grand Canyon, AZ
This is one driving day of about 238.5 miles and 4h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Grand Canyon, 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 119.2 mi from Grand Canyon, AZ · 2h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.2 miles from Grand Canyon, 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.
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
$47.51 one way
$95.02 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $50.28 | $100.56 |
| premium | $5.59 | $52.50 | $105.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.66 | $105.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.04 | $11.45 |
| Efficient EV | 59.6 | 0 | $20.87 | $9.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.4 | 1 | $33.39 | $15.26 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Late night in Tempe on Wednesday
Local time
1:15 AM
MST
Current temp
59°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
32 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 27m 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 Grand Canyon, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 238.5 miles and takes about 4h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Arizona Veterans Highway, Williams–Grand Canyon–Cameron Highway, Black Canyon Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.2 miles from Grand Canyon, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.51 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 21 significant decision points across 238.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 224 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.2 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Grand Canyon, AZ and Tempe, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Tucson.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Tempe, AZ
Explore more options from Grand Canyon, AZ or browse trips ending in Tempe, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Grand Canyon, AZ or Tempe, AZ on MapSof.net.