Trip from Linden, AZ to Tempe, AZ

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 23m

Distance

160 mi

258 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 12m ★

6 AM

3h 24m

8 AM

3h 48m

10 AM

3h 32m

12 PM

3h 30m

3 PM

3h 33m

5 PM

3h 47m

8 PM

3h 16m

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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Trip Overview

This 160-mile drive from Linden, AZ to Tempe, AZ will take you approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes. Designed as a 1-day trip, you can expect to spend around $32 on fuel. The journey primarily follows the South Beeline Highway, Payson-Show Low Highway, and Hwy 260, offering a turn-heavy local feel as you traverse the Desert Southwest. This route is best suited for drivers who appreciate a more engaging, less highway-dominated experience.

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

80 miles from Linden, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 160 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (10%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" with only about 10% of the route on major highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 72.8 miles on the South Beeline Highway. This suggests a route that winds through local roads and highways, offering a more varied driving experience than a typical interstate journey. The road character likely shifts as you move from the higher elevations of the Payson-Show Low area down towards the Phoenix metro region.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 12 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 72.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near AZ 260 / Payson-Show Low Highway.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (AZ 260 / Payson-Show Low Highway): Navigation decision point; at 80.2 miles (AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 153.7 miles (North Alma School Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

3

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | AZ 260 / Payson-Show Low Highway

Turn left onto AZ 260 / Payson-Show Low Highway

Navigation decision point

4

80.2 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in | AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway

Turn left onto AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

6

153.7 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in | North Alma School Road

Turn left onto North Alma School Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

5

157.5 mi into trip | ~3h 19m in | North McClintock Drive

Turn left onto North McClintock Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

6

160 mi into trip | ~3h 23m in | US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard

Turn right onto US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South Beeline Highway	72.8 mi	1h 26m
Payson-Show Low Highway	51.6 mi	1h 5m
Hwy 260	15.9 mi	22m
Payson-Heber Highway	12.7 mi	17m
East McKellips Road	3.1 mi	4m
North McClintock Drive	2.5 mi	4m
East McDowell Road	0.8 mi	1m
North Alma School Road	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: South Beeline Highway — 72.8 mi, about 1h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

115 ft · 13 sec · this road

2

Turn left onto AZ 260

27 mi · 34 min · Payson-Show Low Highway

3

Continue on AZ 260

16 mi · 22 min · Hwy 260

4

Continue on AZ 260

13 mi · 17 min · Payson-Heber Highway

Use the straight lane.

5

Continue on AZ 260

24 mi · 30 min · Payson-Show Low Highway

Use the straight lane.

6

Turn left onto AZ 87

73 mi · 1 hr 26 min · South Beeline Highway

Use the left lane.

7

Turn right onto East McDowell Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · East McDowell Road

8

Turn left onto North Alma School Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Alma School Road

Use the left lane.

9

Turn right onto East McKellips Road

3.1 mi · 4 min · East McKellips Road

10

Turn left onto North McClintock Drive

2.5 mi · 4 min · North McClintock Drive

Use the left lane.

11

Turn right onto US 80 Hist

60 ft · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard

Use the right lane.

12

Arrive at destination

US 80 Hist

Trip Plan

With a duration of just over 3 hours, this 160-mile drive is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight for the ~32 fuel cost and to enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. The longest stretch without significant turns is 72.8 miles on the South Beeline Highway, so plan your stops accordingly, perhaps before or after this segment. With only one recommended stop, you have ample opportunity to tailor your breaks.

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 80 miles from Linden, AZ, or about 1h 45m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.8 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 35 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 80 miles or 1h 45m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 45m

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 Linden, 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 Linden, AZ

This is one driving day of about 160 miles and 3h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Linden, 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 72.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 80 mi from Linden, AZ · 1h 45m into the drive

town in Gila County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Payson, AZ

80 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

Payson, AZ to Tempe, AZ

79.1 mi · 1h 36m

Pacing Suggestions

Cibecue, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Payson, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 80 miles from Linden, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before South Beeline Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.8 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.

Tonto National Monument

National Monument

Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...

22 mi from route ~56 min detour $10 near mile 126.9

Caution: Construction Delays

Caution: Water is Required

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.87 one way

$63.75 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.36	$33.73	$67.46
premium	$5.59	$35.22	$70.44
diesel	$5.61	$35.33	$70.65

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 56 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	48	$16.80	$7.68
Efficient EV	40	$14.00	$6.40
EV Truck/SUV	64	$22.40	$10.24

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Linden, AZ

Afternoon in Linden on Thursday

Local time

3:21 PM

MST

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tempe, AZ

Afternoon in Tempe on Thursday

Local time

3:21 PM

MST

Current temp

93°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

44°F

Payson, AZ

80 mi in

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

53 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 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 Linden, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 160 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are South Beeline Highway, Payson-Show Low Highway, Hwy 260. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 80 miles from Linden, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.87 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 is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (AZ 260 / Payson-Show Low Highway): Navigation decision point; at 80.2 miles (AZ 87 / South Beeline Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 153.7 miles (North Alma School Road): Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Linden, AZ to Tempe, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Tonto National Monument.

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Trip from Linden, AZ to Tempe, AZ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Tempe, AZ

National Parks Near This Route

Tonto National Monument

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Linden, AZ

Tempe, AZ

Same local time

53 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 23m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Tempe, AZ

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