Trip from Salome, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

126.7 mi

204 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

2h 11m ★

6 AM

2h 21m

8 AM

2h 41m

10 AM

2h 28m

12 PM

2h 26m

3 PM

2h 29m

5 PM

2h 40m

8 PM

2h 15m

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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Salome, AZ

cottonbro studio

Tempe Junction, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

This 126.7-mile drive from Salome, AZ, to Tempe Junction, AZ, will take you about 2 hours and 21 minutes. It's a straightforward, single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. Expect to spend around $25 on fuel for this journey. The route primarily utilizes the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway and the Papago Freeway, offering a fairly direct path through the Desert Southwest region of Arizona. This drive is characterized by its frequent turns, making it more of a local road experience than a high-speed interstate cruise.

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

63.3 miles from Salome, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The drive has a "Turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll encounter numerous turns and changes in direction. While 21% of the route is on highways, much of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 79.4 miles on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before transitioning back to more varied road conditions. This route is not a monotonous highway grind; instead, it requires your attention with frequent adjustments and navigation.

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

There are about 20 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 79.4 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 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17.2 miles in near I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 126.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 17.2 miles (I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.3 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.4 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

17.2 mi into trip | ~22m in | I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

118.3 mi into trip | ~2h 7m 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

118.4 mi into trip | ~2h 7m 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

118.8 mi into trip | ~2h 8m 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

123.7 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Take the exit toward Priest Drive, Center Parkway

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 6 Toward Priest Drive, Center Parkway

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway	79.4 mi	1h 20m
Papago Freeway	21.2 mi	24m
Quartzsite–Wickenburg Highway	10.3 mi	12m
Vicksburg Road	6.2 mi	8m
Red Mountain Freeway	5.4 mi	6m
West University Drive	1 mi	1m
South Priest Drive	0.5 mi	1m
North Priest Drive	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway — 79.4 mi, about 1h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 60

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Avenue A

Continue on US 60

10 mi · 12 min · Quartzsite–Wickenburg Highway

Enter roundabout onto Vicksburg Road

208 ft · 2 sec · Vicksburg Road

Continue on Vicksburg Road

6.2 mi · 8 min · Vicksburg Road

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 57 sec

Merge onto I 10

79 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

20 mi · 22 min · Papago Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

Continue on I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.1 mi · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway

Exit 147 Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway

Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East

Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

4.9 mi · 5 min · Red Mountain Freeway

Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 6 Toward Priest Drive, Center Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on Red Mountain Freeeway

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Red Mountain Freeeway

Toward Center Parkway, Priest Drive

Turn right onto North Priest Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Priest Drive

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on South Priest Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Priest Drive

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto West University Drive

1.0 mi · 1 min · West University Drive

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto South Farmer Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Farmer Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto West 13th Street

236 ft · 8 sec · West 13th Street

Arrive at destination

West 13th Street

Trip Plan

Consider departing in the morning to make the most of daylight hours, especially given the frequent turns which can be more manageable with good visibility. With a total duration of just over two hours, this route is easily accomplished in one day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25. A specific tip for this drive: pay close attention to signage as you transition between the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway and the Papago Freeway, as the turn-heavy nature of this route demands constant awareness.

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 63.3 miles from Salome, AZ, or about 1h 8m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.4 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 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 63.3 miles or 1h 8m 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 50m

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 Salome, 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 Salome, AZ

This is one driving day of about 126.7 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Salome, 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.

The longest stretch is on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 79.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 63.3 mi from Salome, AZ · 1h 8m into the drive

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Buckeye, AZ

63 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

Buckeye, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Buckeye, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63.3 miles from Salome, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.4 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

$25.24 one way

$50.48 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.36	$26.71	$53.42
premium	$5.59	$27.89	$55.78
diesel	$5.61	$27.97	$55.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	38	$13.30	$6.08
Efficient EV	31.7	$11.09	$5.07
EV Truck/SUV	50.7	$17.74	$8.11

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Salome, AZ

Late night in Salome on Wednesday

Local time

4:40 AM

MST

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tempe Junction, AZ

Late night in Tempe Junction on Wednesday

Local time

4:40 AM

MST

Current temp

90°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

2h 21m 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 Salome, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 126.7 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Papago Freeway, Quartzsite–Wickenburg Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 63.3 miles from Salome, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.24 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 route from Salome, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Salome, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

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 Junction, AZ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Salome, AZ

Tempe Junction, AZ

Same local time

38 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 21m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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