Origin
Tempe Junction, AZ
Afternoon in Tempe Junction on Sunday
Local time
2:54 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tempe Junction, AZ to Buckeye, AZ
Drive Time
58m
Distance
45.2 mi
73 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 54m
★
6 AM
0h 59m
8 AM
1h 8m
10 AM
1h 2m
12 PM
1h 1m
3 PM
1h 3m
5 PM
1h 8m
8 PM
0h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Buckeye, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Tempe Junction to Buckeye, you are looking at a straightforward 45.2-mile journey across the Desert Southwest. Expect to spend about 58 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stops. Your route will primarily utilize the Red Mountain Freeway, the Papago Freeway, and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway to navigate the region. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, this trip is quite economical for those moving between these two Arizona locations. Since the entire drive stays within the same desert region, you will find a consistent landscape throughout your transit. It is a practical, no-nonsense commute that allows for significant flexibility in your daily schedule.
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
22.6 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed drive profile, balancing urban highway transitions with steady cruising speeds. Approximately 56% of your time will be spent on highways, providing a consistent flow as you move across the valley. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along the Papago Freeway, which spans 21 miles of the total distance. As you transition between the Red Mountain Freeway and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, you will notice the road character shift from busy arterial junctions to more open stretches. Staying alert is key, as the mix of high-speed highway segments and local transitions requires you to remain focused throughout the hour-long duration.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Papago Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 21 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 2.7 miles in near Red Mountain Freeeway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 45.2 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 2.7 miles (Red Mountain Freeeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
2.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Red Mountain Freeeway
Take the ramp onto Red Mountain Freeeway toward AZ 202 Loop West, AZ-143 South: Sky Harbor Airport
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward AZ 202 Loop West, AZ-143 South: Sky Harb...
7
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 202 Loop West: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward AZ 202 Loop West: Phoenix
6
7.5 mi into trip
|
~12m 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
7
40 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward Buckeye
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 114
Toward Buckeye
6
44.8 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
US 80 Hist / East Monroe Avenue
Turn left onto US 80 Hist / East Monroe Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Papago Freeway | 21 mi | 24m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 9.9 mi | 10m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| South Miller Road | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| West University Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Priest Drive | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North 1st Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Papago Freeway
— 21 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and Buckeye, AZ.
1
Start on West 13th Street
236 ft
·
13 sec
·
West 13th Street
2
Turn right onto South Farmer Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Farmer Avenue
3
Turn left onto West University Drive
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West University Drive
Use the none lane.
4
Turn right onto South Priest Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Priest Drive
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on North Priest Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Priest Drive
Use the left / none lanes.
6
Take the ramp onto Red Mountain Freeeway
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeeway
Toward AZ 202 Loop West, AZ-143 South: Sky Harbor Airport
Use the left lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West: Phoenix
Use the none lane.
8
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 10
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
12
Continue on I 10
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
9.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 114
Toward Buckeye
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on South Miller Road
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
South Miller Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Continue on North 1st Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Street
Use the none lane.
17
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
East Monroe Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of scheduling your departure to avoid peak traffic congestion common on these major freeways. Because the drive clocks in at under an hour, you likely will not need to plan for any formal stops along the way. Keep your $9 fuel budget in mind, but ensure your tank is topped off before hitting the freeways to avoid unnecessary detours. Pay close attention to signage when switching between the Papago Freeway and the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, as these interchanges can be busy. Taking advantage of the route's short duration allows you to remain flexible with your arrival time, making it an easy drive to fit into any part of your day.
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 22.6 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, or about 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21 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 45.2 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.6 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buckeye, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tempe Junction, 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 Junction, AZ
This is one driving day of about 45.2 miles and 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tempe Junction, 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 Papago Freeway for about 21 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.6 mi from Tempe Junction, AZ · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 45.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.6 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Buckeye, AZ
The final approach into Buckeye, 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 Buckeye, 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
$9.00 one way
$17.99 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $9.50 | $19.00 |
| premium | $5.59 | $9.94 | $19.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.04 | $20.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.75 | $2.17 |
| Efficient EV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.96 | $1.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.33 | $2.89 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Buckeye, AZ
Afternoon in Buckeye on Sunday
Local time
2:54 PM
MST
Current temp
56°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
4 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
58m 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 Junction, AZ to Buckeye, AZ covers 45.2 miles and takes about 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Papago Freeway, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Red Mountain Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.6 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.00 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 is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 45.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (Red Mountain Freeeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tempe Junction, AZ to Buckeye, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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