Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
156.6 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
The drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Safford, AZ covers 156.6 miles and takes about 3h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Mill Avenue, US 60 East, Superstition Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.52 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.3 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 27m drive with frequent turns across 156.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Mill Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 60 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Superstition Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Live Oak Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 60 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Broad Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Oak Street | 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 Safford, AZ.
Start on West 13th Street
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
Turn left onto US 60 East: Mesa
Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
Continue on Live Oak Street
Continue on US 60
Continue on North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Turn right onto South Hill Street
Turn left onto East Ash Street
Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Continue on West Main Street
Continue on West Thatcher Boulevard
Continue on West 5th Street
Turn right onto South 1st Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.3 miles or 1h 43m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Safford, 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 156.6 miles and 3h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.3 mi from Tempe Junction, AZ · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 78.3 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Safford, 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 Safford, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$30.52 one way
$61.05 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $32.91 | $65.82 |
| premium | $5.57 | $34.32 | $68.63 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $39.25 | $78.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47 | 0 | $16.44 | $7.52 |
| Efficient EV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.70 | $6.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.92 | $10.02 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Late night in Tempe Junction on Saturday
Local time
3:54 AM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Safford on Saturday
Local time
3:54 AM
MST
Current temp
47°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
56°F
Queen Creek, AZ
78 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.
Explore more options from Tempe Junction, AZ or browse trips ending in Safford, AZ.
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