Origin
Tempe, AZ
Evening in Tempe on Sunday
Local time
5:50 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tempe, AZ to Swift Trail Junction, AZ
Drive Time
3h 37m
Distance
162.3 mi
261 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 25m
★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tempe, AZ
Vladimir Srajber
Swift Trail Junction, AZ
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Traveling from Tempe to Swift Trail Junction covers 162.3 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 37 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance, it works perfectly as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including the Superstition Freeway, the Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Budgeting approximately $32 for fuel should cover your travel costs for this journey across the Desert Southwest. Whether you are heading out for a quick getaway or a specific destination visit, this route offers a straightforward path through the region.
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
81.2 miles from Tempe, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a shift in driving conditions as you transition from major freeways to more technical local roads. With only 17% of your trip spent on highways, the vast majority of your time will be spent navigating turn-heavy local routes that demand your full attention. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 71.2 miles along the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, which serves as the primary backbone of the journey. The personality of this drive is distinctly local and winding, making it a stark departure from a monotonous interstate cruise. Prepare for a more engaged, hands-on driving experience as you move deeper into the Arizona landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Globe-Lordsburg Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 71.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 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.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 162.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South McClintock Drive
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
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
5
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 none lane.
5
76.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
77.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
US 60 / East Ash Street
Turn left onto US 60 / East Ash Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Globe-Lordsburg Highway | 71.2 mi | 1h 28m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 43 mi | 55m |
| Superstition Freeway | 23.5 mi | 27m |
| South 1st Avenue | 7.3 mi | 11m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| West Thatcher Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| East Ash Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| South McClintock Drive | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe, AZ and Swift Trail Junction, AZ.
1
Start on US 80 Hist
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
2
Continue on US 80 Hist
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South McClintock Drive
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
Toward US 60 East: Globe
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 60
23 mi
·
27 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
7
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Live Oak Street
8
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Oak Street
12
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Hill Street
13
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
70 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
16
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
17
Continue on US 70
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Thatcher Boulevard
18
Continue on US 70
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West 5th Street
19
Turn right onto US 191
7.3 mi
·
11 min
·
South 1st Avenue
Use the none lane.
20
Turn left onto West Swift Trail
102 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Swift Trail
21
Arrive at destination
West Swift Trail
Trip Plan
Since the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though leaving early helps avoid potential traffic congestion on the initial freeway segments. Plan for at least one stop during your 162.3-mile trek to stretch your legs and ensure you stay alert on the tighter, turn-heavy sections. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the more populated areas near Tempe. A great way to pace this drive is to use the 71.2-mile stretch on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway as your main transit phase, stopping either just before or immediately after that segment. Staying mindful of these road transitions will make your time behind the wheel much more manageable.
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 81.2 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.2 miles or 1h 50m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Swift Trail Junction, 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 162.3 miles and 3h 37m.
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 Globe-Lordsburg Highway for about 71.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.2 mi from Tempe, AZ · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.2 miles from Tempe, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Globe-Lordsburg Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 miles.
Arriving in Swift Trail Junction, AZ
The final approach into Swift Trail Junction, 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 Swift Trail Junction, 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
$32.30 one way
$64.60 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $34.11 | $68.22 |
| premium | $5.59 | $35.70 | $71.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $36.06 | $72.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.7 | 0 | $17.04 | $7.79 |
| Efficient EV | 40.6 | 0 | $14.20 | $6.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.72 | $10.39 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Swift Trail Junction, AZ
Evening in Swift Trail Junction on Sunday
Local time
5:50 PM
MST
Current temp
51°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
8 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
3h 37m 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 Swift Trail Junction, AZ covers 162.3 miles and takes about 3h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Globe-Lordsburg Highway, Phoenix–Globe Highway, Superstition Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.2 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 $32.30 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 162.3 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.4 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.
The route from Tempe, AZ to Swift Trail Junction, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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