Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
79.2 mi
127 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tempe, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Spring Valley, AZ
Mark Direen
The drive from Tempe, AZ to Spring Valley, AZ covers 79.2 miles and takes about 1h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Black Canyon Freeway, Arizona Veterans Highway, Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.3 miles on Black Canyon Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.78 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.
Midpoint
39.6 miles from Tempe, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 79.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 1h 30m highway drive covering 79.2 miles, with most of the trip on Black Canyon Freeway and Arizona Veterans Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.3 miles on Black Canyon Freeway.
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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 (South Una Butte Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto South Una Butte Avenue
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 17 North: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Tempe, AZ to Spring Valley, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Prescott along the way.
Prescott
| 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 |
| AZ 69 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Papago Freeway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| South McClintock Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe, AZ and Spring Valley, AZ.
Start on US 80 Hist
Turn right onto South Una Butte Avenue
Turn right
Turn right onto South Butte Avenue
Turn right onto East 12th Street
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
Take the ramp
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
Take the exit
Merge onto I 10
Continue on I 10
Continue on I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 17; US 60
Continue on I 17
Continue on I 17
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 69
Turn left onto South Spring Lane
Turn left onto East Bob White Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.6 miles or 47m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spring Valley, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Tempe, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tempe, AZ
This is one driving day of about 79.2 miles and 1h 30m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.6 mi from Tempe, AZ · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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.
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 39.6 miles from Tempe, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Spring Valley, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$15.78 one way
$31.56 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $16.70 | $33.39 |
| premium | $5.59 | $17.43 | $34.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.49 | $34.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.32 | $3.80 |
| Efficient EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.93 | $3.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.09 | $5.07 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Tempe on Thursday
Local time
7:34 PM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Partly Sunny
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 12:03PM MST until April 17 at 1:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Evening in Spring Valley on Thursday
Local time
7:34 PM
MST
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Tempe, AZ or browse trips ending in Spring Valley, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Tempe, AZ or Spring Valley, AZ on MapSof.net.
