Trip from Tempe, AZ to Peach Springs, AZ

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

4h 8m

Distance

217 mi

349 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

3h 55m ★

6 AM

4h 8m

8 AM

4h 35m

10 AM

4h 18m

12 PM

4h 15m

3 PM

4h 19m

5 PM

4h 33m

8 PM

4h 1m

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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city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Tempe, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Peach Springs, AZ

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Trip Overview

This 217-mile drive from Tempe, AZ, to Peach Springs, AZ, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 8 minutes. As a single-day trip, it's quite manageable, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost for this excursion is around $43. You'll traverse a mix of highways, primarily sticking to the Black Canyon Freeway, Prescott–Ash Fork Highway, and Hualapai Veterans Highway, all within the Desert Southwest region. This route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Arizona locations.

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

108.5 miles from Tempe, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .

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Drive Character

The character of this drive is a mixed bag, with about 33% of the journey on higher-speed highways. You'll experience stretches of efficient travel, including a significant 43.4-mile segment on the Prescott–Ash Fork Highway without interruption. While not a purely scenic byway, the route transitions from freeway driving to more local road conditions as you approach Peach Springs. Expect a varied driving experience that balances speed with a more grounded feel as you progress through the landscape.

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

There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Prescott–Ash Fork Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 43.4 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 9.7 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 217 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 13.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 26 key points

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

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

75.2 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | AZ 69

Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69 toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott

110.3 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in

Take the exit toward AZ 89: Prescott, Chino Valley

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

Exit 317 Toward AZ 89: Prescott, Chino Valley

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 Peach Springs, AZ, road signs point toward Prescott and Chino Valley.

Prescott

75.2 mi in | ~1h 25m | via AZ 69

Chino Valley

110.3 mi in | ~2h 6m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Prescott–Ash Fork Highway	43.4 mi	50m
Black Canyon Freeway	38.3 mi	41m
Hualapai Veterans Highway	36.5 mi	43m
Purple Heart Trail	24.5 mi	24m
AZ 69	21.6 mi	25m
Arizona Veterans Highway	13.4 mi	13m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway	8.9 mi	9m
Fain Road	7.6 mi	9m

Longest stretch: Prescott–Ash Fork Highway — 43.4 mi, about 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tempe, AZ and Peach Springs, 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

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

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 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 straight / slight left lanes.

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 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 straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 17

8.9 mi · 9 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 17

13 mi · 13 min · Arizona Veterans Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69

22 mi · 25 min · AZ 69

Toward AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott

Turn right onto Fain Road

7.6 mi · 9 min · Fain Road

Continue on AZ 89A

5.9 mi · 6 min · Prescott–Flagstaff Highway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 44 sec

Exit 317 Toward AZ 89: Prescott, Chino Valley

Turn right onto AZ 89

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

Enter roundabout onto AZ 89

103 ft · 1 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

Continue on AZ 89

0.9 mi · 1 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

Enter roundabout onto AZ 89

136 ft · 1 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

Continue on AZ 89

3.7 mi · 4 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

Enter roundabout onto AZ 89

150 ft · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

Continue on AZ 89

0.8 mi · 53 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

Enter roundabout onto AZ 89

151 ft · 2 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

Continue on AZ 89

5.0 mi · 5 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

Enter roundabout onto AZ 89

146 ft · 1 sec · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

Continue on AZ 89

32 mi · 37 min · Prescott–Ash Fork Highway

Continue on I 40 BUS; US 66 Hist; AZ 89

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Lewis Avenue

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Toward I 40 West

Merge onto I 40

25 mi · 24 min · Purple Heart Trail

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec

Toward I 40 Business: Seligman, Peach Springs

Turn right onto I 40 BUS

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 40 BUS

At end of road, turn right onto US 66 Hist

37 mi · 43 min · Hualapai Veterans Highway

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto Diamond Creek Road

10 ft · 0 sec · Diamond Creek Road

Arrive at destination

Diamond Creek Road

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour trip, departing in the morning is ideal to maximize your daylight and allow for a leisurely pace. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you structure your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a significant town is 43.4 miles. This relatively short drive means you can be spontaneous with your timing, but planning for a fuel stop before that longest stretch on the Prescott–Ash Fork Highway is a smart move to avoid any concerns.

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 108.5 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 2h 4m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.4 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 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 108.5 miles or 2h 4m 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 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Peach Springs, 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 217 miles and 4h 8m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Prescott–Ash Fork Highway for about 43.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 108.5 mi from Tempe, AZ · 2h 4m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Surprise, AZ

109 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.

Flagstaff, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108.5 miles from Tempe, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Peach Springs, AZ

The final approach into Peach Springs, 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 Peach Springs, AZ.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Tuzigoot National Monument

National Monument

Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour $10 near mile 104.8

Caution: High Levels of Visitation

View on nps.gov

Montezuma Castle National Monument

National Monument

Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...

26 mi from route ~64 min detour $10 near mile 97.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.23 one way

$86.46 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.36	$45.75	$91.50
premium	$5.59	$47.77	$95.53
diesel	$5.61	$47.91	$95.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	65.1	0	$22.78	$10.42
Efficient EV	54.3	0	$18.99	$8.68
EV Truck/SUV	86.8	1	$30.38	$13.89

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Tempe, AZ

Late night in Tempe on Wednesday

Local time

1:10 AM

MST

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Peach Springs, AZ

Late night in Peach Springs on Wednesday

Local time

1:10 AM

MST

Current temp

71°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 warmer at arrival

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

Road read

4h 8m 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 Peach Springs, AZ covers 217 miles and takes about 4h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Prescott–Ash Fork Highway, Black Canyon Freeway, Hualapai Veterans Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 108.5 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 $43.23 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.

Between Tempe, AZ and Peach Springs, AZ, road signs point toward Prescott and Chino Valley.

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