The drive from Tempe, AZ to Cactus Flat, AZ covers 160.3 miles and takes about 3h 34m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Globe-Lordsburg Highway, Phoenix–Globe Highway, Superstition Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.2 miles on Globe-Lordsburg Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.93 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
80.2 miles from Tempe, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 160.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (17%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 34m drive with frequent turns across 160.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 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 71.2 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 (US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South McClintock Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard
Continue onto US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|South McClintock Drive
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Turn left toward US 60 East: Globe
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 60 East: Globe
5
2.8 mi into trip|~6m in|US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
76.7 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
71.2 mi
1h 28m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi
55m
Superstition Freeway
23.5 mi
27m
South 1st Avenue
5.4 mi
8m
US 60
4 mi
7m
West Thatcher Boulevard
2.3 mi
4m
East Ash Street
2.3 mi
4m
South McClintock Drive
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe, AZ and Cactus Flat, AZ.
1
Start on US 80 Hist
0.2 mi·27 sec·East Apache Boulevard
2
Continue on US 80 Hist
0.2 mi·37 sec·East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
2.0 mi·3 min·South McClintock Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward US 60 East: GlobeUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 60
23 mi·27 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·Live Oak Street
8
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
9
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
10
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·9 sec·East Oak Street
12
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·39 sec·South Hill Street
13
Turn left onto US 60
2.3 mi·4 min·East Ash Street
14
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
0.8 mi·1 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 70; AZ 77
70 mi·1 hr 27 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
16
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
17
Continue on US 70
2.3 mi·4 min·West Thatcher Boulevard
18
Continue on US 70
0.5 mi·1 min·West 5th Street
19
Turn right onto US 191
5.4 mi·8 min·South 1st Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
US 191
Trip Plan
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 80.2 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 35 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.2 miles or 1h 49m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cactus Flat, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tempe, 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, AZ
This is one driving day of about 160.3 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Tempe, 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 71.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.2 mi from Tempe, AZ
· 1h 49m into the drive
The midpoint is around 80.2 miles from Tempe, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Globe-Lordsburg Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 miles.
Arriving in Cactus Flat, AZ
The final approach into Cactus Flat, 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 Cactus Flat, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
National Monument
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 38.7
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$10
near mile 66.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.93 one way
$63.87 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$33.80
$67.59
premium
$5.59
$35.28
$70.57
diesel
$5.61
$35.39
$70.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.1
0
$16.83
$7.69
Efficient EV
40.1
0
$14.03
$6.41
EV Truck/SUV
64.1
0
$22.44
$10.26
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Tempe, AZ
Late night
in Tempe on Friday
Local time
2:05 AM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Partly Sunny
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cactus Flat, AZ
Late night
in Cactus Flat on Friday
Local time
2:05 AM
MST
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Miami, AZ
80 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
34 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 34m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Tempe, AZ to Cactus Flat, AZ covers 160.3 miles and takes about 3h 34m 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 80.2 miles from Tempe, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.93 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 160.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 (US 80 Hist / East Apache Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South McClintock Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tempe, AZ to Cactus Flat, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
