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Trip from Grand Canyon Village, AZ to Tempe, AZ

Drive Time

4h 31m

Distance

239.6 mi

386 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 19m ★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 59m
10 AM
4h 41m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 57m
8 PM
4h 24m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Grand Canyon Village, AZ, AZ

Grand Canyon Village, AZ

Strange Happenings

Downtown Tempe, AZ, AZ

Tempe, AZ

Vladimir Srajber

Trip Overview

The drive from Grand Canyon Village, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 239.6 miles and takes about 4h 31m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Arizona Veterans Highway, Williams–Grand Canyon–Cameron Highway, Black Canyon Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.68 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

119.8 miles from Grand Canyon Village, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 4h 31m drive with frequent turns across 239.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 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 225.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 239.6 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 225.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 229.3 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 23 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
225.2 mi into trip | ~4h 12m 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
225.3 mi into trip | ~4h 13m 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
229.3 mi into trip | ~4h 18m 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
229.8 mi into trip | ~4h 18m 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
237.7 mi into trip | ~4h 28m 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 Along This Route

Between Grand Canyon Village, AZ and Tempe, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Tucson.

Flagstaff

86.9 mi in | ~1h 49m

Phoenix

87.3 mi in | ~1h 50m

Los Angeles

225.2 mi in | ~4h 12m

Tucson

225.3 mi in | ~4h 13m

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 Village, AZ and Tempe, AZ.

1

Start on Forest Service Road 328A

0.6 mi · 2 min · Forest Service Road 328A
2

Turn right onto Maswik Laundry Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Maswik Laundry Road
3

Continue on Aspen Road

0.1 mi · 32 sec · Aspen Road
4

At end of road, turn right

116 ft · 10 sec
5

At end of road, turn right onto Village Loop Drive

0.2 mi · 48 sec · Village Loop Drive
6

Continue on Village Loop Drive

0.2 mi · 52 sec · Village Loop Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
7

Turn right onto Center Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · Center Road
8

At end of road, turn right onto AZ 64

3.3 mi · 6 min · South Entrance Road
9

Continue on US 180; AZ 64

1.1 mi · 2 min · Williams–Grand Canyon–Cameron Highway
10

Enter roundabout onto US 180; AZ 64

131 ft · 4 sec · Williams–Grand Canyon–Cameron Highway
11

Continue on US 180; AZ 64

0.6 mi · 1 min · Williams–Grand Canyon–Cameron Highway
12

Enter roundabout onto US 180; AZ 64

160 ft · 5 sec · Williams–Grand Canyon–Cameron Highway
13

Continue on US 180; AZ 64

50 mi · 59 min · Williams–Grand Canyon–Cameron Highway
Use the straight lane.
14

Take the ramp onto I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist

0.5 mi · 1 min · I 40 Bus; US 66 Hist
15

Merge onto I 40

29 mi · 28 min · Purple Heart Trail
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 17, AZ 89A: Phoenix, Flagstaff
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A: Sedona, Phoenix
18

Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A

93 mi · 1 hr 33 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
19

Continue on I 17

5.8 mi · 5 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on I 17

10 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on I 17

3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
22

Continue on I 17

25 mi · 28 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

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.
24

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson Use the slight left lane.
25

Merge onto I 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
26

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
27

Continue on I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

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.
29

Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East
30

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.
31

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Exit 8 Toward McClintock Drive Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Turn right onto South McClintock Drive

1.5 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive
Use the right lane.
33

Turn right onto US 80 Hist

60 ft · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
Use the right lane.
34

Arrive at destination

US 80 Hist

Trip Plan

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 119.8 miles from Grand Canyon Village, AZ, or about 2h 23m 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 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 119.8 miles or 2h 23m 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 40m

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 Village, 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 Village, AZ

This is one driving day of about 239.6 miles and 4h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Grand Canyon Village, 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 119.8 mi from Grand Canyon Village, AZ · 2h 23m into the drive

Downtown Flagstaff, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Flagstaff, AZ

120 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.

Popular next leg

Flagstaff, AZ to Tempe, AZ

155 mi · 2h 18m

Pacing Suggestions

Flagstaff, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Flagstaff, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 119.8 miles from Grand Canyon Village, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

National Park

Entirely within the state of Arizona, the park encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homelands of 11 present day Tribal Communities, Grand...

2 mi from route ~6 min detour $35 near mile 8.3
Park Closure: Water Conservation Measures in Effect for South Rim
Park Closure: Critical Backcountry Updates/Closures
View on nps.gov
Montezuma Castle National Monument

Montezuma Castle National Monument

National Monument

Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 near mile 132.2
View on nps.gov
Walnut Canyon National Monument

Walnut Canyon National Monument

National Monument

Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...

11 mi from route ~26 min detour $25 near mile 90.9
View on nps.gov
Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument

National Monument

Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...

15 mi from route ~39 min detour $10 near mile 132.2
View on nps.gov
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

National Monument

The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...

18 mi from route ~44 min detour $25 near mile 82.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.68 one way

$95.37 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $50.35 $100.71
premium $5.59 $52.70 $105.41
diesel $5.64 $53.23 $106.46

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: 83.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 71.9 0 $25.16 $11.50
Efficient EV 59.9 0 $20.97 $9.58
EV Truck/SUV 95.8 1 $33.54 $15.33

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Grand Canyon Village, AZ

Morning in Grand Canyon Village on Monday

Local time

8:38 AM

MST

Current temp

27°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tempe, AZ

Morning in Tempe on Monday

Local time

8:38 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 31m 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 Village, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 239.6 miles and takes about 4h 31m 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 119.8 miles from Grand Canyon Village, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.68 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 23 significant decision points across 239.6 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 225.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 229.3 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 Village, AZ and Tempe, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Tucson.

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Return Trip

Tempe, AZ to Grand Canyon Village, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

241.1 mi 4h 35m

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