This 173.3-mile drive from Parker, AZ to Tempe, AZ is a feasible one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 9 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of highways, with about 17% of the journey on major roadways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $35, making it an economical option. The drive is characterized by its turn-heavy local roads, suggesting a more engaging and less predictable journey than a straight interstate cruise. Both your origin and destination are within the Desert Southwest region of Arizona.
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
86.6 miles from Parker, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 173.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a route with a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, meaning you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction rather than a continuous highway experience. While 17% of the drive utilizes main roads, the majority will be on local routes. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 104.7 miles along the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning to more winding local segments. This profile suggests a drive where you'll be actively navigating and potentially encountering varied road conditions.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 104.7 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 163 miles in near Red Mountain Freeway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 173.3 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 163 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.1 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 163.5 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
163 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
6
163.1 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
163.5 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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
171.3 mi into trip|~3h 5m 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
6
173.3 mi into trip|~3h 9m 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
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
104.7 mi
1h 45m
Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
30.9 mi
35m
Papago Freeway
21.2 mi
24m
Red Mountain Freeway
8.3 mi
10m
North Central Boulevard
3.1 mi
3m
South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi
3m
East Main Street
1 mi
2m
California Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 104.7 mi, about 1h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Parker, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 95
0.8 mi·1 min·California Avenue
2
Continue on AZ 95
11 mi·13 min·Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
3
Continue on AZ 95
20 mi·22 min·Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
4
Continue on AZ 95
3.1 mi·3 min·North Central Boulevard
5
Turn left onto I 10 BUS
1.0 mi·2 min·East Main Street
6
Turn right onto I 10 Bus
0.2 mi·22 sec·Riggles Road
7
Take the ramp onto I 10 Business
0.5 mi·1 min·I 10 Business
8
Merge onto I 10
105 mi·1 hr 45 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
20 mi·22 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·35 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
11
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.1 mi·7 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi·41 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop East
14
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
7.9 mi·9 min·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 8Toward McClintock DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi·3 min·South McClintock Drive
Use the right lane.
17
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
60 ft·1 sec·East Apache Boulevard
Use the right lane.
18
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, this trip is best tackled as a single-day adventure, allowing for maximum flexibility. Consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic as you approach Tempe and to make the most of daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you have the freedom to pace yourself, but be mindful of the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route, which may mean the actual travel time can fluctuate slightly. Keep your fuel tank topped up, especially before embarking on the 104.7-mile stretch on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, to ensure a smooth journey.
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 86.6 miles from Parker, AZ, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.7 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 38 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.6 miles or 1h 34m 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 30m
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 Parker, 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 Parker, AZ
This is one driving day of about 173.3 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Parker, 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 Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 104.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.6 mi from Parker, AZ
· 1h 34m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.52 one way
$69.05 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$36.54
$73.07
premium
$5.59
$38.15
$76.29
diesel
$5.61
$38.26
$76.52
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: 60.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52
0
$18.20
$8.32
Efficient EV
43.3
0
$15.16
$6.93
EV Truck/SUV
69.3
0
$24.26
$11.09
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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
Parker, AZ
Night
in Parker on Thursday
Local time
11:46 PM
MST
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Night
in Tempe on Thursday
Local time
11:46 PM
MST
Current temp
93°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
38 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 9m 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 Parker, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 173.3 miles and takes about 3h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway, Papago Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86.6 miles from Parker, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.52 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 173.3 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 163 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.1 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 163.5 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Parker, AZ to Tempe, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
