Origin
Tempe Junction, AZ
Afternoon in Tempe Junction on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tempe Junction, AZ to Pima, AZ
Drive Time
3h 12m
Distance
147.8 mi
238 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Pima, AZ
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Tempe Junction to Pima, you are looking at a 147.8-mile journey through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 12 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable one-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via the Superstition Freeway, the Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Globe-Lordsburg Highway. Budget roughly $29 for fuel to cover the distance. Because the total travel time is relatively short, you can easily complete this trip without needing an overnight stay, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
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
73.9 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between road types. Only 20% of your travel occurs on major highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating smaller, more technical stretches. Your longest uninterrupted segment spans 66.3 miles along the Globe-Lordsburg Highway, providing a brief period of consistent cruising. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route keeps you engaged with its winding profile. Expect the character of the road to shift significantly as you move away from the metropolitan outskirts and deeper into the desert landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 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 66.3 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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South Mill Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 147.8 miles you will encounter 9 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 Mill Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Mill Avenue
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Turn left toward US 60 East: Mesa
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 60 East: Mesa
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
78.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
79.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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 | 66.3 mi | 1h 21m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 43 mi | 55m |
| Superstition Freeway | 25.3 mi | 29m |
| US 60 | 4 mi | 7m |
| East Ash Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| South Mill Avenue | 2 mi | 4m |
| North Broad Street | 2 mi | 3m |
| Live Oak Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 66.3 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and Pima, AZ.
1
Start on West 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
West 13th Street
2
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Mill Avenue
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 60 East: Mesa
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 60
25 mi
·
29 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi
·
55 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
6
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Live Oak Street
7
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
US 60
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the none lane.
9
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Oak Street
11
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Hill Street
12
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Ash Street
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Use the none lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
66 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
15
Turn left
190 ft
·
13 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward one-day drive, you have the luxury of choosing a departure time that avoids peak traffic. With only one recommended stop planned, try to space out your breaks to stay fresh, especially when navigating the more technical, turn-heavy sections of the route. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before starting the 66.3-mile stretch on the Globe-Lordsburg Highway to ensure you don't run low during that longer segment. Because the total duration is just over three hours, you can comfortably leave in the morning and reach Pima by midday. Always prioritize checking road conditions for the Phoenix–Globe Highway before you head out to ensure a smooth transition through the desert corridors.
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 73.9 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.3 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 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.9 miles or 1h 36m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pima, 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 147.8 miles and 3h 12m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Globe-Lordsburg Highway for about 66.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.9 mi from Tempe Junction, AZ · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 73.9 miles from Tempe Junction, 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 66.3 miles.
Arriving in Pima, AZ
The final approach into Pima, 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 Pima, 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
$29.41 one way
$58.83 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $31.06 | $62.12 |
| premium | $5.59 | $32.51 | $65.02 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.84 | $65.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.52 | $7.09 |
| Efficient EV | 37 | 0 | $12.93 | $5.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.1 | 0 | $20.69 | $9.46 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Pima, AZ
Afternoon in Pima on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
MST
Current temp
46°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
14 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 12m 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 Pima, AZ covers 147.8 miles and takes about 3h 12m 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 73.9 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 $29.41 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 147.8 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.2 miles (South Mill Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tempe Junction, AZ to Pima, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Pima, AZ
More trips to Pima, AZ
Explore more options from Tempe Junction, AZ or browse trips ending in Pima, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Tempe Junction, AZ or Pima, AZ on MapSof.net.