Origin
Tempe Junction, AZ
Afternoon in Tempe Junction on Sunday
Local time
4:10 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tempe Junction, AZ to El Mirage, AZ
Drive Time
47m
Distance
35.1 mi
57 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 44m
★
6 AM
0h 48m
8 AM
0h 56m
10 AM
0h 51m
12 PM
0h 50m
3 PM
0h 51m
5 PM
0h 55m
8 PM
0h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
El Mirage, AZ
Djamel Ramdani
Trip Overview
If you are looking to get from Tempe Junction to El Mirage, this 35.1-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Desert Southwest. Expect the drive to take roughly 47 minutes under normal conditions, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. With a fuel budget of approximately $7, the trip is highly economical for commuters or casual travelers. You will traverse the urban landscape primarily via the Red Mountain, Papago, and Agua Fria Freeways. Because this route stays entirely within the Arizona desert region, you won't experience major climate shifts, but you should prepare for the typical high-traffic patterns found on major metropolitan interstates.
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
17.6 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 47-minute excursion is a highway-focused drive, with 71% of your time spent cruising on major freeways. Behind the wheel, you will experience a consistent flow as you transition between the Red Mountain, Papago, and Agua Fria Freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during an 11.8-mile run along the Papago Freeway, where you can settle into a steady pace. Unlike rural backroads, this route maintains a high-speed personality that prioritizes efficiency over scenic winding paths. Navigating these major arteries requires staying alert to merging traffic as you move through the heart of the desert metropolitan area.
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.
Papago Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 11.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Papago Freeway and Agua Fria Freeway. 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
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 35.1 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 13 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
20.8 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
30.5 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward US 60
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward US 60
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Papago Freeway | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| Agua Fria Freeway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| Grand Avenue | 3.4 mi | 6m |
| West University Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Thunderbird Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Priest Drive | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Papago Freeway
— 11.8 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and El Mirage, 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
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 133B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Agua Fria Freeway
Use the none lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 11
Toward US 60
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto US 60
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto West Thunderbird Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Thunderbird Road
Use the none lane.
18
Turn right onto North El Mirage Road
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
North El Mirage Road
Use the none lane.
19
Arrive at destination
North El Mirage Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 35.1-mile trip, you have plenty of scheduling flexibility and won't need to worry about planning formal stops. Given the highway-heavy nature of the route, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you stay within that 47-minute duration. Keep your $7 fuel budget in mind, and consider fueling up before you hit the main freeway interchanges to avoid potentially higher prices near the on-ramps. Because there are no designated stops required for a drive of this length, you can easily complete the journey in a single push. Focus your attention on the transition points between the Papago and Agua Fria Freeways, as these connection zones are where you will encounter the most significant traffic density.
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 17.6 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.8 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 35.1 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.6 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near El Mirage, 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 35.1 miles and 47m.
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 11.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.6 mi from Tempe Junction, AZ · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.6 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in El Mirage, AZ
The final approach into El Mirage, 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 El Mirage, 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
$6.99 one way
$13.97 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $7.38 | $14.75 |
| premium | $5.59 | $7.72 | $15.44 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.80 | $15.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.69 | $1.68 |
| Efficient EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.07 | $1.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14 | 0 | $4.91 | $2.25 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
El Mirage, AZ
Afternoon in El Mirage on Sunday
Local time
4:10 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
47m 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 El Mirage, AZ covers 35.1 miles and takes about 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Papago Freeway, Agua Fria Freeway, Red Mountain Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.6 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 $6.99 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 35.1 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 El Mirage, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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