Trip from Tempe, AZ to Camp Verde, AZ

Drive Time

1h 54m

Distance

102.2 mi

164 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min

4 AM

1h 46m ★

6 AM

1h 55m

8 AM

2h 11m

10 AM

2h 1m

12 PM

1h 59m

3 PM

2h 1m

5 PM

2h 11m

8 PM

1h 50m

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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Tempe, AZ

Vladimir Srajber

Camp Verde, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

Traveling from Tempe to Camp Verde covers 102.2 miles, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 54 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to complete the drive. Navigating through the Desert Southwest, you will utilize the Black Canyon Freeway, Arizona Veterans Highway, and the Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway. It is a highly practical connection between the two areas, providing a consistent experience as you transition north.

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

51.1 miles from Tempe, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving profile that combines fast-paced highway segments with changing terrain. With 47% of your travel occurring on highways, you will encounter a blend of steady cruising and more focused stretches. The longest uninterrupted portion of your journey spans 38.3 miles along the Black Canyon Freeway, which serves as the primary backbone of the trip. As you progress from the desert landscape toward Camp Verde, the road transitions through different elevations and road types, keeping the experience varied. You will find that the shift from the Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway into the later stages of the drive keeps the pace engaging without feeling like a monotonous grind.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Black Canyon Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 38.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 102.2 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): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South McClintock Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

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

Turn right onto South Una Butte Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | South McClintock Drive

Turn left onto South McClintock Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

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

13.8 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Flagstaff

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 143A-B Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Flagstaff

14 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 17 North: Flagstaff

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 143A Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Black Canyon Freeway	38.3 mi	41m
Arizona Veterans Highway	36.5 mi	36m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway	8.9 mi	9m
Red Mountain Freeway	7.5 mi	8m
Papago Freeway	2.5 mi	2m
South Access Road	1.6 mi	2m
South McClintock Drive	1.4 mi	2m
West General Crook Trail	1.3 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Black Canyon Freeway — 38.3 mi, about 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 80 Hist

0.2 mi · 24 sec · East Apache Boulevard

Turn right onto South Una Butte Avenue

321 ft · 11 sec · South Una Butte Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn right

22 ft · 1 sec

Turn right onto South Butte Avenue

254 ft · 10 sec · South Butte Avenue

Turn right onto East 12th Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · East 12th Street

Turn left onto South McClintock Drive

1.4 mi · 2 min · South McClintock Drive

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward AZ 202 Loop West

Merge onto AZ 202 Loop

7.5 mi · 8 min · Red Mountain Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Toward I 10 West Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 10

1.3 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

Continue on I 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec

Exit 143A-B Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Flagstaff Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 143A Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 17; US 60

38 mi · 41 min · Black Canyon Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 17

8.9 mi · 9 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 17

13 mi · 13 min · Arizona Veterans Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 17

23 mi · 23 min · Arizona Veterans Highway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward General Crook Trail

Turn right onto South Access Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Access Road

Turn right onto AZ 260

1.3 mi · 2 min · West General Crook Trail

Turn left onto South Main Street

0.5 mi · 53 sec · South Main Street

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best to avoid peak traffic. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the 102.2-mile path, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Tempe to ensure you stay within your $20 budget. Given the highway-heavy nature of the route, stay alert during the 38.3-mile stretch on the Black Canyon Freeway where traffic flow can be consistent and fast. Aim to keep a steady pace, as the directness of the route allows for a predictable arrival time. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider leaving early in the morning to take full advantage of the daylight hours once you arrive in Camp Verde.

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 51.1 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 59m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.3 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 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 51.1 miles or 59m 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 Camp Verde, 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 102.2 miles and 1h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tempe, 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 Black Canyon Freeway for about 38.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 51.1 mi from Tempe, AZ · 59m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Surprise, AZ

51 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

Surprise, AZ

Fuel and coffee

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

Surprise, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.1 miles from Tempe, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Camp Verde, AZ

The final approach into Camp Verde, 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 Camp Verde, 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

$20.34 one way

$40.68 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$21.48	$42.96
premium	$5.59	$22.48	$44.96
diesel	$5.64	$22.71	$45.41

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	30.7	$10.73	$4.91
Efficient EV	25.6	$8.94	$4.09
EV Truck/SUV	40.9	$14.31	$6.54

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Tempe, AZ

Afternoon in Tempe on Sunday

Local time

3:43 PM

MST

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Camp Verde, AZ

Afternoon in Camp Verde on Sunday

Local time

3:43 PM

MST

Current temp

42°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 cooler at arrival

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

Road read

1h 54m 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 Camp Verde, AZ covers 102.2 miles and takes about 1h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Black Canyon Freeway, Arizona Veterans Highway, Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 51.1 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 $20.34 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 Tempe, AZ to Camp Verde, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Tempe, AZ to Camp Verde, 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 Camp Verde, AZ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Tempe, AZ

Camp Verde, AZ

Same local time

17 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 54m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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