Origin
Holbrook, AZ
Late night in Holbrook on Wednesday
Local time
3:35 AM
MST
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Holbrook, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 46m
Distance
177.5 mi
286 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 33m
★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Holbrook, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
The drive from Holbrook, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 177.5 miles and takes about 3h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Beeline Highway, Heber Road, Payson-Show Low Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.1 miles on South Beeline Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.36 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.8 miles from Holbrook, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 46m drive with frequent turns across 177.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Beeline Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 73.1 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 169.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 177.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 169.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 169.9 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
169.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
Take the exit toward AZ 202 Loop West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
5
169.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
|
AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
174.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
Take the exit toward Scottsdale Road, Rural Road
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 7
Toward Scottsdale Road, Rural Road
7
175 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Arizona State University-Tempe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Arizona State University-Tempe
5
177.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
|
East 13th Street
Turn left onto East 13th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Beeline Highway | 73.1 mi | 1h 26m |
| Heber Road | 30.9 mi | 36m |
| Payson-Show Low Highway | 24.2 mi | 30m |
| Hwy 260 | 15.9 mi | 22m |
| Payson-Heber Highway | 12.7 mi | 17m |
| West 3rd Street North | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Heber-Holbrook Highway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
South Beeline Highway
— 73.1 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Holbrook, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.
1
Start on I 40 Bus; AZ 77; US 66 Hist
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
North Navajo Boulevard
2
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Holbrook-Springerville Highway
3
Continue on AZ 77
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Show Low-Holbrook Highway
4
Turn right onto AZ 377
31 mi
·
36 min
·
Heber Road
5
Turn straight onto AZ 377
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Heber-Holbrook Highway
6
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 277
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West 3rd Street North
7
Continue on AZ 277
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 277
8
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Highway 260
9
Continue on AZ 260
16 mi
·
22 min
·
Hwy 260
10
Continue on AZ 260
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Payson-Heber Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on AZ 260
24 mi
·
30 min
·
Payson-Show Low Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto AZ 87
73 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on AZ 87
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Country Club Drive
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
15
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 7
Toward Scottsdale Road, Rural Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
400 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Arizona State University-Tempe
Use the left lane.
18
Turn slight left onto North Scottsdale Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Scottsdale Road
19
Continue on South Rural Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Rural Road
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Apache Boulevard
21
Turn left onto East 13th Street
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
East 13th Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
West 13th Street
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 88.8 miles from Holbrook, AZ, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.1 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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.8 miles or 1h 55m 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 4m
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 Holbrook, 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 Holbrook, AZ
This is one driving day of about 177.5 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Holbrook, 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 South Beeline Highway for about 73.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.8 mi from Holbrook, AZ · 1h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 88.8 miles from Holbrook, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.1 miles.
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
$35.36 one way
$70.72 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $37.42 | $74.84 |
| premium | $5.59 | $39.07 | $78.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.19 | $78.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.3 | 0 | $18.64 | $8.52 |
| Efficient EV | 44.4 | 0 | $15.53 | $7.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71 | 0 | $24.85 | $11.36 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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 Junction, AZ
Late night in Tempe Junction on Wednesday
Local time
3:35 AM
MST
Current temp
90°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
14 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
3h 46m 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 Holbrook, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 177.5 miles and takes about 3h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Beeline Highway, Heber Road, Payson-Show Low Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.8 miles from Holbrook, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.36 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 177.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 169.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 169.9 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Holbrook, 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
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tempe Junction, AZ
More trips to Tempe Junction, AZ
Explore more options from Holbrook, AZ or browse trips ending in Tempe Junction, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Holbrook, AZ or Tempe Junction, AZ on MapSof.net.