Origin
Tempe Junction, AZ
Night in Tempe Junction on Sunday
Local time
9:02 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tempe Junction, AZ to Sun Lakes, AZ
Drive Time
28m
Distance
19.8 mi
32 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 26m
★
6 AM
0h 29m
8 AM
0h 34m
10 AM
0h 30m
12 PM
0h 30m
3 PM
0h 31m
5 PM
0h 33m
8 PM
0h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Sun Lakes, AZ
Kris Møklebust
Trip Overview
Spanning just 19.8 miles, this quick trip from Tempe Junction to Sun Lakes is a straightforward commute across the Desert Southwest. You can expect to spend about 28 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a one-day excursion. Budget roughly $4 for fuel to cover the distance, which remains entirely within the state of Arizona. Because the drive is so short, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging or complex logistics. It is a practical, efficient route that keeps you within the heart of the region, 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
9.9 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that transitions from faster thoroughfares to local roads. You will spend 41% of your journey on highways, starting with a 6.7-mile stretch along the Maricopa Freeway. Following this initial segment, the route shifts onto the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway before eventually transitioning to West Riggs Road. The experience feels like a standard urban commute, trading high-speed interstate travel for the more controlled pace of local infrastructure. Expect a straightforward, functional drive that avoids the technical challenges of winding mountain passes or rural backroads.
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.
Maricopa Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 6.7 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 0.8 miles in near West Broadway Road.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 19.8 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 0.8 miles (West Broadway Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
West Broadway Road
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left toward I 10 East: Tucson
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
7
4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: East Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 10 East: East Tucson
7
16 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward Riggs Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 167
Toward Riggs Road
6
16.4 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
West Riggs Road
Turn left onto West Riggs Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Maricopa Freeway | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| West Riggs Road | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| West Broadway Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Hohokam Expressway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| South Roosevelt Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West 13th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Dobson Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Maricopa Freeway
— 6.7 mi, about 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and Sun Lakes, AZ.
1
Start on West 13th Street
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
West 13th Street
2
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Roosevelt Street
3
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Broadway Road
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on West Broadway Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Road
5
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto AZ 143
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Hohokam Expressway
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 10 East: East Tucson
Use the none lane.
8
Merge onto I 10
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 167
Toward Riggs Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto West Riggs Road
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
West Riggs Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto South Dobson Road
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
South Dobson Road
Use the none lane.
13
Turn left onto East Palomino Place
182 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Palomino Place
14
Turn right onto South Pinewood Drive
323 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Pinewood Drive
15
Continue on East Foster Avenue
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
East Foster Avenue
16
Turn right onto South Glenburn Drive
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Glenburn Drive
17
Turn right onto East Bud Court
144 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Bud Court
18
Arrive at destination
East Bud Court
Trip Plan
Since the entire journey takes less than half an hour, you have the freedom to depart whenever it best suits your plans without needing to worry about mid-route stops. While the $4 fuel cost is minimal, it is always wise to ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Tempe Junction to avoid searching for stations during the short transit. Traffic flow can vary significantly on the Maricopa Freeway, so checking local reports before you head out is a smart way to avoid unexpected delays. Because there are zero required stops on this 19.8-mile path, you can easily complete the drive in one go, giving you more time to focus on your destination in Sun Lakes.
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 9.9 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, or about 14m 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 19.8 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.9 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sun Lakes, 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 19.8 miles and 28m.
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 Maricopa Freeway for about 6.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.9 mi from Tempe Junction, AZ · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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 19.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.9 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Sun Lakes, AZ
The final approach into Sun Lakes, 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 Sun Lakes, 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
$3.94 one way
$7.88 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $4.16 | $8.32 |
| premium | $5.59 | $4.36 | $8.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.40 | $8.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.08 | $0.95 |
| Efficient EV | 5 | 0 | $1.73 | $0.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.77 | $1.27 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Sun Lakes, AZ
Night in Sun Lakes on Sunday
Local time
9:02 PM
MST
Current temp
55°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
5 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
28m 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 Sun Lakes, AZ covers 19.8 miles and takes about 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Maricopa Freeway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, West Riggs Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.9 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 $3.94 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 14 significant decision points across 19.8 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 0.8 miles (West Broadway Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tempe Junction, AZ to Sun Lakes, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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