Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
76.1 mi
122 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
The drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Cordes Lakes, AZ covers 76.1 miles and takes about 1h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Roosevelt Street, West Broadway Road, Maricopa Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.83 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
38 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 44m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 29m drive with frequent turns across 76.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Roosevelt Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Broadway Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Maricopa Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Black Canyon Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Arizona Veterans Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| AZ 69 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cordes Lakes Rd | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and Cordes Lakes, AZ.
Start on West 13th Street
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
Continue on West Broadway Road
Take the ramp slight right
Merge slight left onto Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Maricopa Freeway
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
Keep slight right to continue on AZ 69 North: Cordes Lakes Rd, Prescott
Take the exit slight right toward Cordes Lakes Rd
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cordes Lakes Road
Exit the roundabout onto Cordes Lakes Road
Turn right onto Stagecoach Trail
Turn right onto South Black Mountain Road
Turn left onto East Ash Creek Road
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 76.1 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38 miles or 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cordes Lakes, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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 76.1 miles and 1h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38 mi from Tempe Junction, AZ · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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.
A short stop after about 76.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 38 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Cordes 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 Cordes Lakes, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$14.83 one way
$29.67 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $15.99 | $31.99 |
| premium | $5.57 | $16.68 | $33.35 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $19.07 | $38.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.8 | 0 | $7.99 | $3.65 |
| Efficient EV | 19 | 0 | $6.66 | $3.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.65 | $4.87 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Tempe Junction on Saturday
Local time
6:32 AM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Cordes Lakes on Saturday
Local time
6:32 AM
MST
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
59°F
Peoria, AZ
38 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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