Origin
Tempe, AZ
Afternoon in Tempe on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tempe, AZ to Gilbert, AZ
Drive Time
21m
Distance
11.7 mi
19 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 20m
★
6 AM
0h 22m
8 AM
0h 26m
10 AM
0h 23m
12 PM
0h 23m
3 PM
0h 23m
5 PM
0h 26m
8 PM
0h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tempe, AZ
Vladimir Srajber
Gilbert, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transit across the Desert Southwest, this 11.7-mile connection from Tempe to Gilbert is as straightforward as it gets. Expect a brief 21-minute trip that functions perfectly as a simple day outing, requiring no overnight stays. You will navigate primarily via East Apache Boulevard, South McClintock Drive, and US 60 East. With a fuel budget of just $2, this is an incredibly economical route for commuters or casual travelers moving between these two Arizona cities. Because the entire journey takes place within the same region, you will experience a consistent desert landscape throughout the drive. It is a practical, no-nonsense path designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing.
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
5.9 miles from Tempe, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You will spend 0% of your time on highways, meaning your focus will be on navigating local streets and intersections. There is no long-distance highway stretch here, as the longest segment is 0 miles on East Apache Boulevard. Because you are constantly transitioning between urban arterials, the drive requires your full attention at the wheel. It is a functional, stop-and-go experience that lacks the monotony of long highway miles, keeping you engaged with the surrounding local infrastructure until you reach your destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 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 Gilbert, AZ is easy. At 21m 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 Gilbert, 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 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Superstition Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Gilbert Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Gilbert Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Vaughn Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Elm Street | 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 Gilbert, 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
Turn left onto US 60 East: Globe
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 60 East: Globe
5
Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Superstition Freeway
6
Take the exit slight right toward Gilbert Road
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Gilbert Road
7
Turn right onto South Gilbert Road
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
South Gilbert Road
8
Turn left onto East Vaughn Avenue
440 ft
·
22 sec
·
East Vaughn Avenue
9
Turn right onto North Elm Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
North Elm Street
10
Turn right
203 ft
·
15 sec
11
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 21-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the distance is short enough to drive in one go. Budgeting $2 for fuel is sufficient for this quick trek, making it an easy addition to your daily schedule. Pay close attention to the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, as you will be shifting from East Apache Boulevard to South McClintock Drive and eventually US 60 East. Keeping your navigation app ready is the best way to manage these frequent transitions smoothly.
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 5.9 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 10m 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 11.7 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.9 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gilbert, 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 11.7 miles and 21m.
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 5.9 mi from Tempe, AZ · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 11.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.9 miles from Tempe, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gilbert, AZ
The final approach into Gilbert, 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 Gilbert, 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
$2.33 one way
$4.66 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $2.46 | $4.92 |
| premium | $5.59 | $2.57 | $5.15 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.60 | $5.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.23 | $0.56 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.02 | $0.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.64 | $0.75 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Gilbert, AZ
Afternoon in Gilbert on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
MST
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
63°F
Mesa, AZ
6 mi in
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
1 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
21m 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 Gilbert, AZ covers 11.7 miles and takes about 21m 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 East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.9 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 $2.33 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 Gilbert, AZ is easy. At 21m 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 Gilbert, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Tempe, AZ to Gilbert, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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