Origin
Swift Trail Junction, AZ
Evening in Swift Trail Junction on Sunday
Local time
5:49 PM
MST
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Swift Trail Junction, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ
Drive Time
3h 39m
Distance
163.8 mi
264 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 27m
★
6 AM
3h 39m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 48m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Swift Trail Junction, AZ
Mark Direen
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Spanning 163.8 miles across the Desert Southwest, this trip from Swift Trail Junction to Tempe Junction typically takes about 3 hours and 39 minutes. Given the manageable duration, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $33 for fuel to cover the distance. The route transitions through the heart of the Arizona landscape, moving from the junction area toward the urban sprawl of Tempe. Because it is a relatively straightforward drive, it offers a practical way to navigate between these two points efficiently. Plan your departure to accommodate the roughly four-hour travel time and enjoy the steady pace of this regional transit.
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
81.9 miles from Swift Trail Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate through the Arizona terrain. The journey relies on a combination of East Center Street, the Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Superstition Freeway to connect your start and end points. Only 18% of this trip is spent on major highways, meaning you will spend the bulk of your time on local roads. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 66.5-mile stretch along East Center Street, which serves as the backbone of your travel. Be prepared for the transition from slower-paced local maneuvers to the faster flow of the freeway as you approach Tempe Junction.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Center Street is the longest continuous segment at about 66.5 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 early in the drive near US 191 / Bowie Junction-Safford Highway.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 39m drive. You will face about 10 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 191 / Bowie Junction-Safford Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 161.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 191 / Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
Turn right onto US 191 / Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
7.8 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
South 8th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
161.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m 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
161.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
|
South Mill Avenue
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
163.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
|
West 13th Street
Turn left onto West 13th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Center Street | 66.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 42.9 mi | 55m |
| Superstition Freeway | 25.5 mi | 29m |
| Bowie Junction-Safford Highway | 7.3 mi | 11m |
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| West Thatcher Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| East Ash Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
East Center Street
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swift Trail Junction, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.
1
Start on West Swift Trail
102 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Swift Trail
2
Turn right onto US 191
7.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
436 ft
·
16 sec
·
South 8th Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 70
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Thatcher Boulevard
6
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
7
Continue on US 70
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
8
Continue on US 70
66 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
East Center Street
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
Use the none lane.
10
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Hill Street
11
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Oak Street
12
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Broad Street
13
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
14
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Live Oak Street
16
Continue on US 60
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the none lane.
17
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the none lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 173
Toward Mill Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Mill Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto West 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
West 13th Street
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
West 13th Street
Trip Plan
Aim to depart early in the day to make the most of your 3 hour and 39 minute travel time while traffic remains manageable. With only one scheduled stop planned, you have significant flexibility to pace yourself according to your own needs rather than a rigid itinerary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 66.5-mile stretch on East Center Street, as consistent local driving can impact your consumption. Since this is a relatively short trip, try to time your single stop to coincide with a mid-drive break to stretch your legs before hitting the Superstition Freeway. Staying mindful of the transition from local roads to highway speeds will ensure a much smoother arrival in Tempe.
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 81.9 miles from Swift Trail Junction, AZ, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.9 miles or 1h 48m 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 2m
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 Swift Trail Junction, 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 Swift Trail Junction, AZ
This is one driving day of about 163.8 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Swift Trail Junction, 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 East Center Street for about 66.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.9 mi from Swift Trail Junction, AZ · 1h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 81.9 miles from Swift Trail Junction, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East Center Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.5 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
$32.60 one way
$65.20 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $34.42 | $68.85 |
| premium | $5.59 | $36.03 | $72.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $36.39 | $72.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.20 | $7.86 |
| Efficient EV | 41 | 0 | $14.33 | $6.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.5 | 0 | $22.93 | $10.48 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Evening in Tempe Junction on Sunday
Local time
5:49 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
9 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 39m 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 Swift Trail Junction, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 163.8 miles and takes about 3h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East 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 81.9 miles from Swift Trail Junction, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.60 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 39m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 191 / Bowie Junction-Safford Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 161.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Swift Trail Junction, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
Tempe Junction, AZ to Swift Trail Junction, AZPlan the drive back the other way.
163.9 mi
3h 39m
Continue From Tempe Junction, AZ
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