Origin
Tempe Junction, AZ
Evening in Tempe Junction on Sunday
Local time
5:25 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tempe Junction, AZ to Fountain Hills, AZ
Drive Time
34m
Distance
23.6 mi
38 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 36m
3 PM
0h 37m
5 PM
0h 40m
8 PM
0h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Fountain Hills, AZ
Brent Singleton
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick getaway in the Desert Southwest, the 23.6-mile trek from Tempe Junction to Fountain Hills is an ideal one-day excursion. Expect to spend about 34 minutes behind the wheel, making this a highly efficient trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Red Mountain Freeway and the Beeline Highway. With a modest fuel budget of $5, this route is as economical as it is convenient. Whether you are running errands or just changing your scenery, this short transition between Arizona locales offers a straightforward travel experience.
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
11.8 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 23.6-mile journey functions as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway slog. Only 20% of your travel time will be spent on highways, meaning you should prepare for frequent maneuvering as you transition between local roads. You will find your longest uninterrupted stretch of driving on the Beeline Highway, which spans 6.7 miles. The personality of the road shifts as you navigate off the Red Mountain Freeway and onto the North Beeline Highway. Expect a dynamic experience that keeps you engaged with the steering wheel throughout the short 34-minute duration.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Beeline Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 6.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,600 ft
1,137 ft
Total Climb
478 ft
Total Descent
52 ft
Highest Point
1,600 ft
~22.6 mi in
Elevation Range
463 ft
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 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near South Rural Road.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 23.6 miles you will encounter 8 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 1 miles (South Rural Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South Rural Road
Turn left onto South Rural Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
7.5 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
6
19.7 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
East Shea Boulevard
Turn left onto East Shea Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
20.3 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
North Saguaro Boulevard
Turn right onto North Saguaro Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Fountain Hills, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Payson along the way.
Payson
7.5 mi in
|
~12m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Beeline Highway | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| North Beeline Highway | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| North Saguaro Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| South Rural Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| East Apache Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Shea Boulevard | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| North Country Club Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Beeline Highway
— 6.7 mi, about 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and Fountain Hills, AZ.
1
Start on West 13th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 13th Street
2
Turn straight onto US 80 Hist
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Apache Boulevard
3
Turn left onto South Rural Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Rural Road
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on North Scottsdale Road
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Scottsdale Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop East: Red Mountain Freeway
6
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 13
Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto AZ 87
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Country Club Drive
9
Continue on AZ 87
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
North Beeline Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Continue on AZ 87
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto East Shea Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
East Shea Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto North Saguaro Boulevard
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
North Saguaro Boulevard
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto East La Montana Drive
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
East La Montana Drive
14
Turn right onto North Hamilton Drive
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Hamilton Drive
15
Arrive at destination
North Hamilton Drive
Trip Plan
Because this is such a brief trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your own schedule. Since the entire drive takes less than 40 minutes, you won't need to worry about planning formal rest stops or meal breaks along the way. Keep your fuel budget at $5 in mind when planning your vehicle's range, though the distance is short enough that you likely won't need to refuel mid-route. Given that this is a turn-heavy local drive, stay alert for directional changes as you move onto the North Beeline Highway. Enjoy the ease of this quick desert transit, which allows you to reach your destination without the fatigue of a long-distance haul.
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 11.8 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.7 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 23.6 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.8 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fountain Hills, 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 23.6 miles and 34m.
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 Beeline Highway for about 6.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.8 mi from Tempe Junction, AZ · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 23.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.8 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fountain Hills, AZ
The final approach into Fountain Hills, 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 Fountain Hills, 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
$4.70 one way
$9.39 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $4.96 | $9.92 |
| premium | $5.59 | $5.19 | $10.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.24 | $10.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.48 | $1.13 |
| Efficient EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.07 | $0.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.30 | $1.51 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Fountain Hills, AZ
Evening in Fountain Hills on Sunday
Local time
5:25 PM
MST
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
63°F
Mesa, AZ
12 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
3 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
34m 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 Fountain Hills, AZ covers 23.6 miles and takes about 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Beeline Highway, Red Mountain Freeway, North Beeline Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.8 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 $4.70 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 23.6 miles you will encounter 8 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 1 miles (South Rural Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Fountain Hills, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Payson along the way.
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