Origin
Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ
Late night in Pinetop-Lakeside on Wednesday
Local time
2:43 AM
MST
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ to Tempe, AZ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 43m
Distance
172.9 mi
278 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 31m
★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 52m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 53m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Tempe, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 172.9-mile drive from Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ to Tempe, AZ will take you about 3 hours and 43 minutes. It's a convenient one-day trip, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You'll be traveling primarily on the Globe-Show Low Highway, Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Superstition Freeway. Expect a fuel cost of around $34 for this journey. This route stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape throughout your travel.
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
86.4 miles from Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
With only 15% of the drive on highways, this is best described as a turn-heavy local drive. You'll experience a mix of road types, but the majority will feel more like navigating through towns and rural areas. The longest stretch without a significant turn or change in direction is 83.5 miles on the Globe-Show Low Highway. This suggests a journey where you'll be adjusting your speed and direction frequently, rather than settling into a long, straight highway cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Globe-Show Low Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 83.5 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 around 8.5 miles in near East Woolford.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 43m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.5 miles (East Woolford): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles (West Whipple Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.7 miles (US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260 / West Deuce of Clubs): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
8.5 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
East Woolford
Turn left onto East Woolford
Navigation decision point
4
9.8 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
West Whipple Street
Turn left onto West Whipple Street
Navigation decision point
5
10.7 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260 / West Deuce of Clubs
At end of road, turn left onto US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260 / West Deuce of Clubs
Navigation decision point
7
168.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 176B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
8
170.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
Take the exit toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Show Low Highway | 83.5 mi | 1h 35m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 42.9 mi | 55m |
| Superstition Freeway | 21.9 mi | 25m |
| West White Mountain Boulevard | 5.7 mi | 10m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| South White Mountain Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| West Live Oak Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| North Broad Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Globe-Show Low Highway
— 83.5 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on West Summer Haven Lane
478 ft
·
26 sec
·
West Summer Haven Lane
2
Continue on West Summer Haven Lane
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Summer Haven Lane
3
Turn left onto AZ 260
5.7 mi
·
10 min
·
West White Mountain Boulevard
4
Continue on AZ 260
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South White Mountain Road
5
Turn left onto East Woolford
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Woolford
6
Continue on South Central Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Central Avenue
7
Turn left onto West Whipple Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Whipple Street
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Deuce of Clubs
9
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
83 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
Globe-Show Low Highway
10
Turn right onto US 60
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Ash Street
11
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Hill Street
12
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Oak Street
13
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Broad Street
14
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
15
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
16
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Live Oak Street
17
Continue on US 60
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
2 min
Exit 176B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Price Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 53
Toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto South Price Road
302 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Price Road
23
Turn left onto East Broadway Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Broadway Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
South McClintock Drive
25
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
137 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 3-hour and 43-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility for when you depart. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive in Tempe with ample time for activities. There's one recommended stop, so plan to take a break roughly halfway through your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longer 83.5-mile stretch on the Globe-Show Low Highway, as services might be less frequent in those sections.
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 86.4 miles from Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.5 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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.4 miles or 1h 47m 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, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pinetop-Lakeside, 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 Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ
This is one driving day of about 172.9 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pinetop-Lakeside, 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 Globe-Show Low Highway for about 83.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.4 mi from Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ · 1h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 86.4 miles from Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Globe-Show Low Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.5 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.44 one way
$68.89 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $36.45 | $72.90 |
| premium | $5.59 | $38.06 | $76.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.17 | $76.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.5 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 | 51.9 | 0 | $18.15 | $8.30 |
| Efficient EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.13 | $6.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.21 | $11.07 |
Gas CO2
60 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.
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Late night in Tempe on Wednesday
Local time
2:43 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
25 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 43m 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 Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 172.9 miles and takes about 3h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Globe-Show Low Highway, 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 86.4 miles from Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.44 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 43m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.5 miles (East Woolford): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles (West Whipple Street): Navigation decision point; at 10.7 miles (US 60; AZ 77; AZ 260 / West Deuce of Clubs): Navigation decision point.
The route from Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ to Tempe, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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