The drive from Tempe, AZ to Bullhead City, AZ covers 234.3 miles and takes about 4h 49m 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, Purple Heart Trail for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 106.7 miles on Wickenburg–Kingman Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.68 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
117.2 miles from Tempe, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 234.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 49m drive with frequent turns across 234.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 51 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 106.7 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 9.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 28 significant decision points across 234.3 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 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
6
200.7 mi into trip|~4h 6m in|US 93
Take the exit onto US 93 toward US 93: Beale Street, Las Vegas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 48
Toward US 93: Beale Street, Las Vegas
8
204.4 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward AZ 68 West: Bullhead City, Laughlin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Exit 67
Toward AZ 68 West: Bullhead City, Laughlin
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tempe, AZ and Bullhead City, AZ, road signs point toward Las Vegas and Laughlin.
Las Vegas
200.7 mi in|~4h 6m|via US 93
Laughlin
204.4 mi in|~4h 11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
106.7 mi
2h 9m
Grand Avenue
27.4 mi
37m
Purple Heart Trail
21.5 mi
21m
Bullhead City-Kingman Highway
18.3 mi
21m
Papago Freeway
11.8 mi
13m
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
9 mi
10m
Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
8.9 mi
11m
Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
— 106.7 mi, about 2h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe, AZ and Bullhead City, 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 WestUse 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 133BToward AZ 101 Loop NorthUse 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 11Toward US 60Use 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
101 mi·1 hr 58 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
36
Continue on US 93
0.3 mi·23 sec·Wickenburg-Kingman Highway
37
Take the exit onto US 93
0.7 mi·1 min·US 93
Toward I 40 West
38
Merge onto I 40; US 93
22 mi·21 min·Purple Heart Trail
39
Take the exit onto US 93
0.3 mi·42 sec·US 93
Exit 48Toward US 93: Beale Street, Las Vegas
40
Turn slight right onto US 93
222 ft·7 sec·US 93
Exit 48Toward US 93: Beale Street, Las VegasUse the right lane.
41
Merge onto US 93
1.8 mi·2 min·West Beale Street
Use the right lane.
42
Continue on US 93
1.4 mi·1 min·Hoover Dam–Kingman Highway
43
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 67Toward AZ 68 West: Bullhead City, LaughlinUse the right lane.
44
Continue on AZ 68
6.5 mi·8 min·Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
45
Continue on AZ 68
1.9 mi·2 min·Bullhead City-Kingman Highway
46
Continue on AZ 68
1.5 mi·1 min·Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
47
Continue on AZ 68
16 mi·19 min·Bullhead City-Kingman Highway
48
Continue on AZ 68
0.8 mi·1 min·Bullhead City–Kingman Highway
49
Continue on AZ 95
1.7 mi·2 min·Mohave Valley Highway
50
Turn left onto 4th Street
20 ft·0 sec·4th Street
51
Arrive at destination
4th Street
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 117.2 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.7 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 52 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.2 miles or 2h 31m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bullhead City, 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 234.3 miles and 4h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 106.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.2 mi from Tempe, AZ
· 2h 31m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.68 one way
$93.35 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$49.40
$98.79
premium
$5.59
$51.57
$103.15
diesel
$5.61
$51.73
$103.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.3
0
$24.60
$11.25
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.50
$9.37
EV Truck/SUV
93.7
1
$32.80
$15.00
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Late night
in Tempe on Saturday
Local time
5:45 AM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bullhead City, AZ
Late night
in Bullhead City on Saturday
Local time
5:45 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
3 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
4h 49m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Bullhead City, AZ covers 234.3 miles and takes about 4h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wickenburg–Kingman Highway, Grand Avenue, Purple Heart Trail. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.2 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 $46.68 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 234.3 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 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Tempe, AZ and Bullhead City, AZ, road signs point toward Las Vegas and Laughlin.
