Origin
Prescott, AZ
Evening in Prescott on Sunday
Local time
5:49 PM
MST
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Prescott, AZ to Tempe, AZ
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
110.9 mi
179 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 46m
★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Prescott, AZ
Hans D.
Tempe, AZ
Vladimir Srajber
Trip Overview
Traveling from Prescott to Tempe covers 110.9 miles and takes approximately 1 hour and 53 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited as a simple one-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay. You should budget about $22 for fuel to complete the journey between these two Desert Southwest locations. Because the route relies on local roads rather than interstate highways, you will experience a more direct connection between the high-elevation Prescott area and the urban landscape of Tempe. It is a straightforward drive that allows for plenty of flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
55.5 miles from Prescott, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate through South Cortez Street, East Gurley Street, and the Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway to reach your destination. Since there are no long, uninterrupted stretches—with the longest segment being 0 miles on South Cortez Street—you will need to stay focused on frequent turns. This setup creates a technical driving experience that contrasts sharply with typical high-speed highway travel. Be prepared to manage constant adjustments behind the wheel as you transition between these local 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 Cortez Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Prescott, AZ to Tempe, AZ is easy. At 1h 53m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Prescott, AZ to Tempe, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Cortez Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Gurley Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Arizona Veterans Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Black Canyon Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Black Canyon Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 10 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Cortez Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prescott, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on East Goodwin Street
79 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Goodwin Street
2
Turn right onto South Cortez Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
South Cortez Street
3
Turn right onto East Gurley Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Gurley Street
4
Continue on Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
5
Keep slight right to continue on Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
33 mi
·
44 min
·
Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway
6
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
17 mi
·
16 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
7
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
9
Continue on North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
10
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
13
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
14
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
15
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
16
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
17
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
18
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
19
Take the exit slight right toward McClintock Drive
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
McClintock Drive
20
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South McClintock Drive
21
Turn right onto East Apache Boulevard
59 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
22
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of setting your own departure time without worrying about a strict multi-day itinerary. There are no mandatory stops scheduled along the 110.9-mile path, giving you the freedom to drive straight through or pull over whenever you feel the need for a break. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $22, so it is wise to check your levels before leaving Prescott to ensure a smooth arrival in Tempe. Given the turn-heavy nature of the roads, prioritize comfort and alertness during the nearly two-hour duration. Staying mindful of the local road transitions will make your transit much more manageable.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.5 miles from Prescott, AZ, or about 57m into the drive.
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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.5 miles or 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 33m
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 Prescott, 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 Prescott, AZ
This is one driving day of about 110.9 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Prescott, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.5 mi from Prescott, AZ · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 55.5 miles from Prescott, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$22.07 one way
$44.14 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $23.31 | $46.61 |
| premium | $5.59 | $24.39 | $48.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.64 | $49.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.64 | $5.32 |
| Efficient EV | 27.7 | 0 | $9.70 | $4.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.4 | 0 | $15.53 | $7.10 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Evening in Tempe on Sunday
Local time
5:49 PM
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
17 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
1h 53m 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 Prescott, AZ to Tempe, AZ covers 110.9 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Cortez Street, East Gurley Street, Cordes Junction-Prescott Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.5 miles from Prescott, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.07 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Prescott, AZ to Tempe, AZ is easy. At 1h 53m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Prescott, AZ to Tempe, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Prescott, AZ to Tempe, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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