Trip from Tempe, AZ to San Manuel, AZ

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 33m

Distance

120.4 mi

194 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 23m ★

6 AM

2h 34m

8 AM

2h 54m

10 AM

2h 41m

12 PM

2h 39m

3 PM

2h 42m

5 PM

2h 53m

8 PM

2h 27m

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

San Manuel, AZ

Leslie del Moral

Trip Overview

The drive from Tempe, AZ to San Manuel, AZ covers 120.4 miles and takes about 2h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Pinal Pioneer Parkway, Superstition Freeway, US 80 Hist for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.9 miles on Pinal Pioneer Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.99 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

60.2 miles from Tempe, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 120.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 33m highway drive covering 120.4 miles, with most of the trip on Pinal Pioneer Parkway and Superstition Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 35.9 miles on Pinal Pioneer Parkway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Pinal Pioneer Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pinal Pioneer Parkway and Superstition Freeway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near South McClintock Drive.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 120.4 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (South McClintock Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

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

Turn right onto South McClintock Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

2.4 mi into trip | ~5m in

Turn left toward US 60 East: Globe

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward US 60 East: Globe

2.8 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 60 / Superstition Freeway

Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

38.6 mi into trip | ~48m in | US 80 Hist

Take the exit onto US 80 Hist toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson

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

Toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson

39.1 mi into trip | ~49m in | US 80 Hist

Keep slight right at fork onto US 80 Hist toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson

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

Toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Tempe, AZ to San Manuel, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tucson along the way.

Tucson

38.6 mi in | ~48m | via US 80 Hist

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Pinal Pioneer Parkway	35.9 mi	41m
Superstition Freeway	23.5 mi	27m
US 80 Hist	16.2 mi	21m
Tucson-Globe Highway	15 mi	20m
Phoenix–Globe Highway	12.3 mi	15m
South Pinal Parkway Avenue	6.2 mi	8m
Veterans Memorial Boulevard	4.5 mi	6m
South McClintock Drive	2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Pinal Pioneer Parkway — 35.9 mi, about 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tempe, AZ and San Manuel, AZ.

Start on US 80 Hist

0.2 mi · 27 sec · East Apache Boulevard

Continue on US 80 Hist

0.2 mi · 37 sec · East Apache Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto South McClintock Drive

2.0 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive

Use the left lane.

Turn left

0.4 mi · 58 sec

Toward US 60 East: Globe Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 60

23 mi · 27 min · Superstition Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist

12 mi · 15 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit onto US 80 Hist

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 80 Hist

Toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson

Keep slight right at fork onto US 80 Hist

16 mi · 20 min · US 80 Hist

Toward AZ 79 South: Florence, Tucson

Continue on AZ 79

6.2 mi · 8 min · South Pinal Parkway Avenue

Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist

36 mi · 41 min · Pinal Pioneer Parkway

Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist

0.4 mi · 28 sec · State Route 79

Turn left onto AZ 77

13 mi · 17 min · Tucson-Globe Highway

Use the left lane.

Continue on AZ 77

2.0 mi · 2 min · American Avenue

Continue on AZ 77

2.4 mi · 3 min · Tucson-Globe Highway

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec

Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Boulevard

4.5 mi · 6 min · Veterans Memorial Boulevard

Use the right lane.

Continue on North Redington Road

0.5 mi · 58 sec · North Redington Road

Turn right onto South McNab Parkway

1.1 mi · 2 min · South McNab Parkway

Use the right lane.

Arrive at destination

South McNab Parkway

Trip Plan

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 60.2 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 1h 17m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 26 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 60.2 miles or 1h 17m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Manuel, 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 120.4 miles and 2h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 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 Pinal Pioneer Parkway for about 35.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 60.2 mi from Tempe, AZ · 1h 17m into the drive

town in and county seat of Pinal County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Florence, AZ

60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Florence, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.2 miles from Tempe, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in San Manuel, AZ

The final approach into San Manuel, 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 San Manuel, 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.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

National Monument

An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...

9 mi from route ~24 min detour Free near mile 54

View on nps.gov

Saguaro National Park

National Park

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour $25 near mile 99.7

View on nps.gov

Tonto National Monument

National Monument

Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...

29 mi from route ~72 min detour $10 near mile 29.1

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.99 one way

$47.97 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.36	$25.38	$50.77
premium	$5.59	$26.50	$53.00
diesel	$5.61	$26.58	$53.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	36.1	$12.64	$5.78
Efficient EV	30.1	$10.54	$4.82
EV Truck/SUV	48.2	$16.86	$7.71

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Tempe, AZ

Evening in Tempe on Thursday

Local time

6:45 PM

MST

Current temp

93°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Manuel, AZ

Evening in San Manuel on Thursday

Local time

6:45 PM

MST

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

89°F

Florence, AZ

60 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

41 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

2h 33m 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 San Manuel, AZ covers 120.4 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Pinal Pioneer Parkway, Superstition Freeway, US 80 Hist. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 60.2 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 $23.99 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

On the drive from Tempe, AZ to San Manuel, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tucson along the way.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Saguaro National Park and Tonto National Monument.

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