Origin
Tempe, AZ
Late night in Tempe on Wednesday
Local time
3:14 AM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tempe, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
13m
Distance
8.7 mi
14 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 13m
★
6 AM
0h 14m
8 AM
0h 16m
10 AM
0h 15m
12 PM
0h 14m
3 PM
0h 15m
5 PM
0h 16m
8 PM
0h 13m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tempe, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Scottsdale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short 8.7-mile drive from Tempe to Scottsdale in Arizona's Desert Southwest is easily manageable in just 13 minutes. It's perfect as a quick hop, so no overnight stay is needed. The route primarily utilizes the Pima Freeway, with portions of East Apache Boulevard and South Price Road also involved. With a fuel cost estimate of around $2, this trip is very budget-friendly. Expect a mixed driving experience that connects two nearby cities within the same state.
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
4.3 miles from Tempe, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 55% of the journey on higher-speed roads like the Pima Freeway. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 4.8 miles on the Pima Freeway, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. The profile is described as a 'mixed drive,' suggesting a blend of faster freeway sections and potentially some surface street navigation as you approach your destination. This means you'll transition from quicker travel to more local road conditions.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pima Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 4.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 8.7 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.2 miles (US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (South Price Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard
Continue onto US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
South Price Road
Turn left onto South Price Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
7.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward Chaparral Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward Chaparral Road
4
8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
East Chaparral Road
Turn left onto East Chaparral Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pima Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| East Apache Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| South Price Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Chaparral Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pima Freeway
— 4.8 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe, AZ and Scottsdale, AZ.
1
Start on US 80 Hist
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
2
Continue on US 80 Hist
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto South Price Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Price Road
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
this road
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Pima Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 46
Toward Chaparral Road
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn left onto East Chaparral Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Chaparral Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Turn left
64 ft
·
4 sec
9
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the brief 13-minute duration and minimal 8.7-mile distance, you have a lot of flexibility with this trip. There are no recommended stops, and the drive is too short to warrant splitting. You can depart at any time that suits your schedule, but be mindful of local traffic patterns, especially on the Pima Freeway. The fuel cost is negligible at an estimated $2, so no need for extensive fuel planning. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the transition from the Pima Freeway to the local streets in Scottsdale, as this is where your driving pace will most significantly change.
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 4.3 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4.8 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 8.7 miles or 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.3 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scottsdale, 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 8.7 miles and 13m.
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 Pima Freeway for about 4.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.3 mi from Tempe, AZ · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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
Arriving in Scottsdale, AZ
The final approach into Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, 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
$1.73 one way
$3.47 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $1.83 | $3.67 |
| premium | $5.59 | $1.92 | $3.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.92 | $3.84 |
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: 3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.6 | 0 | $0.91 | $0.42 |
| Efficient EV | 2.2 | 0 | $0.76 | $0.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.22 | $0.56 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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
Scottsdale, AZ
Late night in Scottsdale on Wednesday
Local time
3:14 AM
MST
Current temp
94°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
92°F
Mesa, AZ
4 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
35 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
13m 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 Scottsdale, AZ covers 8.7 miles and takes about 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pima Freeway, East Apache Boulevard, South Price Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4.3 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 $1.73 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 8.7 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (South Price Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (AZ 101 Loop / Pima Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tempe, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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