Origin
Pima, AZ
Afternoon in Pima on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
MST
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pima, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ
Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
147.7 mi
238 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 0m
★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 20m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 21m
5 PM
3h 34m
8 PM
3h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pima, AZ
András Nyemczovszky
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Spanning 147.7 miles, this route from Pima to Tempe Junction takes approximately 3 hours and 11 minutes to complete. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily manage this as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will traverse the Desert Southwest, navigating a path that relies heavily on West Center Street, the Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Superstition Freeway. Budgeting around $29 for fuel should cover your travel costs for the journey. It is a straightforward trek that works well if you are looking to move efficiently between these two Arizona points.
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
73.9 miles from Pima, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 20% of your travel occurs on major highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time on local roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is a 66.3-mile stretch on West Center Street, which sets the pace for much of the trip. As you transition from the local segments onto the Superstition Freeway, the rhythm of the drive shifts noticeably. Be prepared for a varied experience that balances technical maneuvering with standard highway driving.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Center Street is the longest continuous segment at about 66.3 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 US 70 / West Center Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 11m 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 (US 70 / West Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 69 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 145.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 70 / West Center Street
Turn right onto US 70 / West Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
69 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
East Oak Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Navigation decision point
7
145.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward Mill Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 173
Toward Mill Avenue
5
145.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
|
South Mill Avenue
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
147.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
|
West 13th Street
Turn left onto West 13th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Center Street | 66.3 mi | 1h 21m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 42.9 mi | 55m |
| Superstition Freeway | 25.5 mi | 29m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| East Ash Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| South Mill Avenue | 2 mi | 4m |
| West Live Oak Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| North Broad Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
West Center Street
— 66.3 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pima, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.
1
Start on this road
190 ft
·
16 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto US 70
66 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
West Center Street
Use the none lane.
3
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Hill Street
5
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Oak Street
6
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Broad Street
7
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
8
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Live Oak Street
10
Continue on US 60
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 173
Toward Mill Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Mill Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto West 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
West 13th Street
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
West 13th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3-hour and 11-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time. You should aim to incorporate at least one stop to break up the 147.7-mile distance and keep your focus sharp. Given the high percentage of local roads, keep an eye on your speed and traffic flow as you navigate the turn-heavy sections. Fuel up before you depart Pima, as that $29 estimate is based on the full trip distance. Taking a break during that 66.3-mile stretch on West Center Street is a smart way to manage fatigue before hitting the busier freeway portions.
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 73.9 miles from Pima, AZ, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.3 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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.9 miles or 1h 36m 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 38m
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 Pima, 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 Pima, AZ
This is one driving day of about 147.7 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pima, 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 West Center Street for about 66.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.9 mi from Pima, AZ · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 73.9 miles from Pima, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before West Center Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.3 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
$29.39 one way
$58.79 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $31.04 | $62.08 |
| premium | $5.59 | $32.49 | $64.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.81 | $65.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.51 | $7.09 |
| Efficient EV | 36.9 | 0 | $12.92 | $5.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.1 | 0 | $20.68 | $9.45 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Tempe Junction, AZ
Afternoon in Tempe Junction on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
MST
Current temp
60°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 11m 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 Pima, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 147.7 miles and takes about 3h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Center Street, Phoenix–Globe Highway, Superstition Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.9 miles from Pima, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.39 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 11m 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 (US 70 / West Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 69 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 145.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Pima, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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