Trip from Tempe, AZ to Casa Grande, AZ

Drive Time

50m

Distance

44.3 mi

71 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$9

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min

4 AM

0h 46m ★

6 AM

0h 51m

8 AM

0h 59m

10 AM

0h 54m

12 PM

0h 53m

3 PM

0h 54m

5 PM

0h 59m

8 PM

0h 48m

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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Trip Overview

Spanning 44.3 miles, this trek from Tempe to Casa Grande is a straightforward connection across the Desert Southwest. You can expect to spend about 50 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $9, the journey is both efficient and budget-friendly. Because you remain within the same region, the landscape stays consistent as you transition between these two Arizona cities. This route is best suited for travelers looking for a quick, direct passage rather than a slow-paced sightseeing excursion.

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

22.1 miles from Tempe, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate through urban and suburban environments. You will utilize East Apache Boulevard, South McClintock Drive, and US 60 West to make your way toward your destination. Unlike an interstate grind, this path lacks long, uninterrupted highway stretches, meaning you will frequently encounter intersections and local traffic. Since the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a steady, hands-on driving experience. The lack of a significant longest stretch on any single road highlights the technical, winding nature of this commute.

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

There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

East Apache Boulevard is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Tempe, AZ to Casa Grande, AZ is easy. At 50m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Tempe, AZ to Casa Grande, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
East Apache Boulevard	Unavailable	Refreshing
South McClintock Drive	Unavailable	Refreshing
US 60 West	Unavailable	Refreshing
Superstition Freeway	Unavailable	Refreshing
I 10 East	Unavailable	Refreshing
Maricopa Freeway	Unavailable	Refreshing
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway	Unavailable	Refreshing
AZ 187	Unavailable	Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: East Apache Boulevard — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on East Apache Boulevard

0.2 mi · 28 sec · East Apache Boulevard

2

Continue on East Apache Boulevard

0.2 mi · 38 sec · East Apache Boulevard

3

Turn right onto South McClintock Drive

2.0 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive

4

Take the ramp right toward US 60 West: Phoenix

0.3 mi · 46 sec · US 60 West: Phoenix

5

Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway

2.5 mi · 2 min · Superstition Freeway

6

Take the exit slight left toward I 10 East: Tucson

0.9 mi · 2 min · I 10 East: Tucson

7

Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Tucson

0.4 mi · 55 sec · I 10 East: Tucson

8

Merge slight left onto Maricopa Freeway

6.1 mi · 7 min · Maricopa Freeway

9

Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

23 mi · 23 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

10

Take the exit slight right toward AZ 187, AZ 387: Casa Grande, Coolidge

0.3 mi · 33 sec · AZ 187, AZ 387: Casa Grande, Coolidge

11

Keep slight right to continue on AZ 387 South: Casa Grande, Casa Grande Airport

0.1 mi · 16 sec · AZ 387 South: Casa Grande, Casa Grande Airport

12

Turn straight onto State Route 387

0.4 mi · 39 sec · State Route 387

13

Continue on North Pinal Avenue

7.9 mi · 13 min · North Pinal Avenue

14

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a short, 50-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, allowing you to reach Casa Grande in one go. Keep in mind that because this route relies entirely on local roads rather than high-speed interstates, traffic patterns can shift your arrival time, so check local conditions before pulling out of Tempe. Budgeting the $9 for fuel beforehand ensures you have one less thing to worry about during your transit. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to stay alert on East Apache Boulevard, as the turn-heavy nature of the route requires frequent navigation adjustments.

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 22.1 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 25m into the drive.

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 44.3 miles or 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 22.1 miles or 25m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Casa Grande, 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 44.3 miles and 50m.

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.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 22.1 mi from Tempe, AZ · 25m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chandler, AZ

22 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

Queen Creek, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chandler, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 22.1 miles from Tempe, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Casa Grande, AZ

The final approach into Casa Grande, 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 Casa Grande, 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

$8.82 one way

$17.63 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 16 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$9.31	$18.62
premium	$5.59	$9.74	$19.49
diesel	$5.64	$9.84	$19.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$9

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$34–$59

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 15.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	13.3	$4.65	$2.13
Efficient EV	11.1	$3.88	$1.77
EV Truck/SUV	17.7	$6.20	$2.84

Gas CO2

15 kg

EV CO2

5 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

Evening in Tempe on Sunday

Local time

5:52 PM

MST

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Casa Grande, AZ

Evening in Casa Grande on Sunday

Local time

5:52 PM

MST

Current temp

52°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

7 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

50m 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 Casa Grande, AZ covers 44.3 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are East Apache Boulevard, South McClintock Drive, US 60 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 22.1 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 $8.82 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 drive from Tempe, AZ to Casa Grande, AZ is easy. At 50m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Tempe, AZ to Casa Grande, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Tempe, AZ to Casa Grande, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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