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Trip from Tempe, AZ to Bagdad, AZ

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 16m

Distance

135.4 mi

218 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 5m ★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 40m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Tempe, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Bagdad, AZ, AZ

Bagdad, AZ

waqed walid

Trip Overview

The drive from Tempe, AZ to Bagdad, AZ covers 135.4 miles and takes about 3h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway, Grand Avenue, Papago Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 44.4 miles on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.97 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

67.7 miles from Tempe, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 135.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 16m drive with frequent turns across 135.4 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 43 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 44.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South Una Butte Avenue.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 135.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South Una Butte Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 26 key points

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

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Una Butte Avenue

Turn right onto South Una Butte Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward AZ 202 Loop West

Navigation decision point

Toward AZ 202 Loop West
6
9.7 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward I 10 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 10 West
7
23 mi into trip | ~29m in

Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 133B Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
32.7 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward US 60

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 11 Toward US 60

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway 44.4 mi 56m
Grand Avenue 27.4 mi 37m
Papago Freeway 11.8 mi 13m
Santa Maria-Bagdad Highway 10.9 mi 19m
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway 9 mi 10m
Agua Fria Freeway 8.8 mi 10m
Red Mountain Freeway 7.5 mi 8m
Hillside-Bagdad Highway 4 mi 7m
Longest stretch: Wickenburg–Kingman Highway — 44.4 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 80 Hist

0.2 mi · 24 sec · East Apache Boulevard
2

Turn right onto South Una Butte Avenue

321 ft · 11 sec · South Una Butte Avenue
3

Turn right

22 ft · 1 sec
4

Turn right onto South Butte Avenue

254 ft · 10 sec · South Butte Avenue
5

Turn right onto East 12th Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · East 12th Street
6

Turn left onto South McClintock Drive

1.4 mi · 2 min · South McClintock Drive
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
8

Merge onto AZ 202 Loop

7.5 mi · 8 min · Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Toward I 10 West Use the slight left lane.
10

Merge onto I 10

1.3 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
12

Continue on I 10

10 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 133B Toward AZ 101 Loop North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on AZ 101 Loop

8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 11 Toward US 60 Use the slight right lane.
16

Turn left onto US 60

20 mi · 28 min · Grand Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto US 60

159 ft · 3 sec · Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
18

Continue on US 60

0.9 mi · 1 min · Grand Avenue
19

Continue on US 60

0.2 mi · 15 sec · Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
20

Continue on US 60

0.1 mi · 8 sec · Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
21

Continue on US 60

6.3 mi · 7 min · Grand Avenue
22

Continue on US 60

0.5 mi · 31 sec · Phoenix-Wickenburg Highway
23

Continue on US 60

8.7 mi · 10 min · Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
24

Continue on US 60

1.5 mi · 2 min · East Wickenburg Way
25

Enter roundabout onto US 93

2 ft · 0 sec · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
26

Continue on US 93

1.2 mi · 2 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
27

Keep slight right at fork onto US 93

0.5 mi · 1 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
28

Keep slight right at fork onto US 93

0.9 mi · 1 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
29

Keep slight right at fork onto US 93

0.9 mi · 1 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
30

Enter roundabout onto US 93

100 ft · 4 sec · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
31

Continue on US 93

1.2 mi · 2 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
32

Enter roundabout onto US 93

155 ft · 6 sec · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
33

Continue on US 93

0.6 mi · 1 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
34

Turn left onto US 93

112 ft · 4 sec · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
35

Keep slight right at fork onto US 93

39 mi · 45 min · Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
36

Turn right onto AZ 97

11 mi · 19 min · Santa Maria-Bagdad Highway
Use the right lane.
37

At end of road, turn left onto AZ 96

4.0 mi · 7 min · Hillside-Bagdad Highway
38

Continue on Main Street

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Main Street
39

Turn right onto Lindahl Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · Lindahl Road
40

Continue on North Lindahl

0.7 mi · 2 min · North Lindahl
41

Turn left

1.3 mi · 8 min
42

Turn right

0.8 mi · 5 min
43

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 67.7 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.4 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 30 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67.7 miles or 1h 27m 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 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bagdad, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Tempe, 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 Tempe, AZ

This is one driving day of about 135.4 miles and 3h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Tempe, 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 Wickenburg–Kingman Highway for about 44.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 67.7 mi from Tempe, AZ · 1h 27m into the drive

census designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sun City West, AZ

68 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

Peoria, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Surprise, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.7 miles from Tempe, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Bagdad, AZ

The final approach into Bagdad, 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 Bagdad, 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

$26.97 one way

$53.95 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $28.55 $57.09
premium $5.59 $29.80 $59.61
diesel $5.61 $29.89 $59.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.6 0 $14.22 $6.50
Efficient EV 33.9 0 $11.85 $5.42
EV Truck/SUV 54.2 0 $18.96 $8.67

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Tempe, AZ

Afternoon in Tempe on Thursday

Local time

3:23 PM

MST

Current temp

93°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bagdad, AZ

Afternoon in Bagdad on Thursday

Local time

3:23 PM

MST

Current temp

72°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

21 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 16m 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 Tempe, AZ to Bagdad, AZ covers 135.4 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wickenburg–Kingman Highway, Grand Avenue, Papago Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.7 miles from Tempe, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.97 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 demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 135.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South Una Butte Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tempe, AZ to Bagdad, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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