Origin
Tempe, AZ
Evening in Tempe on Sunday
Local time
5:54 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tempe, AZ to Cordes Lakes, AZ
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
77.7 mi
125 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tempe, AZ
Vladimir Srajber
Trip Overview
If you are looking to get from Tempe to Cordes Lakes, you are looking at a straightforward 77.7-mile journey through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect the trip to take approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion rather than an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of about $15, the drive is quite economical for a quick getaway. You will primarily navigate the Black Canyon Freeway, the Arizona Veterans Highway, and the Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway. Because both ends of the trip reside within the same desert region, you will experience a consistent environment throughout the entire drive. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that is easy to manage if you just want to reach your destination efficiently.
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
38.8 miles from Tempe, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 63% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Black Canyon Freeway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 38.3 miles. As you transition between the Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway and the Arizona Veterans Highway, the character of the road remains consistent and fast-paced. Do not expect winding backroads or technical maneuvers; this is a steady, high-speed transit route designed for getting you from the Valley to the high desert quickly. Behind the wheel, you should be prepared for a consistent flow of traffic as you navigate these primary arteries.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Black Canyon Freeway and Arizona Veterans Highway. 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
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 77.7 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 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
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.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South McClintock Drive
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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
8
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
8
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 | 13.4 mi | 13m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 7.5 mi | 8m |
| Papago Freeway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| South McClintock Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Stagecoach Trail | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Black Canyon Freeway
— 38.3 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe, AZ and Cordes Lakes, 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
Use the none lane.
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
Use the none lane.
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 none / 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 none lane.
11
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
12
Continue on I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 143A-B
Toward I 17 South, I 17 North: Flagstaff
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 143A
Toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 17; US 60
38 mi
·
41 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 17
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
18
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69
0.3 mi
·
16 sec
·
AZ 69
Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward Cordes Lakes Rd
20
Enter roundabout onto Cordes Lakes Road
1 ft
·
0 sec
·
Cordes Lakes Road
21
Continue on Cordes Lakes Road
366 ft
·
12 sec
·
Cordes Lakes Road
22
Turn right onto Stagecoach Trail
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Stagecoach Trail
23
Turn right onto South Black Mountain Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Black Mountain Road
24
Turn left onto East Ash Creek Road
137 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Ash Creek Road
25
Arrive at destination
East Ash Creek Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 1.5-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid peak traffic hours. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, but keeping your fuel tank in mind is wise given the estimated $15 cost. Because the entire route is highway-based, focus your attention on maintaining a steady pace and staying alert during the long 38.3-mile stretch on the Black Canyon Freeway. If you are heading out on a weekend, try to leave early to ensure a smoother experience as you transition onto the Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway. The lack of mandatory stops means you can easily make this a spontaneous trip whenever your schedule allows.
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 38.8 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 46m 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 77.7 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.8 miles or 46m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cordes Lakes, 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 77.7 miles and 1h 31m.
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 38.8 mi from Tempe, AZ · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 77.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.8 miles from Tempe, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cordes Lakes, AZ
The final approach into Cordes Lakes, 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 Cordes Lakes, 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
$15.46 one way
$30.93 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $16.33 | $32.66 |
| premium | $5.59 | $17.09 | $34.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.26 | $34.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.16 | $3.73 |
| Efficient EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.80 | $3.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.1 | 0 | $10.88 | $4.97 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Cordes Lakes, AZ
Evening in Cordes Lakes on Sunday
Local time
5:54 PM
MST
Current temp
47°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
12 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 31m 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 Cordes Lakes, AZ covers 77.7 miles and takes about 1h 31m 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. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.8 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 $15.46 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 77.7 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): 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.
The route from Tempe, AZ to Cordes Lakes, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Cordes Lakes, AZ
Explore more options from Tempe, AZ or browse trips ending in Cordes Lakes, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Tempe, AZ or Cordes Lakes, AZ on MapSof.net.