Origin
Tombstone, AZ
Evening in Tombstone on Sunday
Local time
5:22 PM
MST
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tombstone, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
177.8 mi
286 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 10m
★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tombstone, AZ
Brett Sayles
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Spanning 177.8 miles through the heart of the Desert Southwest, this journey from Tombstone to Tempe Junction typically takes about 3 hours and 22 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, you can easily complete this trip in a single day, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer to reach their destination without an overnight stop. Your route utilizes a combination of the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, I-10 Bus, and the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $35, it remains a budget-friendly option for travelers moving across the Arizona landscape. Whether you are relocating or just exploring, the transition between these two points offers a straightforward path through the region. This drive is best viewed as a practical transit route rather than a leisurely sightseeing tour, providing a consistent pace from start to finish.
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
88.9 miles from Tombstone, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate this 177.8-mile stretch, which is comprised of approximately 41% highway travel. You will encounter varying road conditions, ranging from faster highway segments to more localized transit as you transition through the desert terrain. The longest uninterrupted portion of your journey occurs on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, where you will spend 54.5 miles focused on the road ahead. Because the profile is defined as a mixed drive, you should be prepared for shifts in traffic flow and road design. Staying alert is essential, especially as the character of the road changes from the initial desert stretches into the more built-up areas approaching Tempe Junction.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 54.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 25.7 miles in near I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 177.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 25.7 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.1 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 173.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
25.7 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist toward I 10 West: Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tucson
6
79.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
173.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward Baseline Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 155
Toward Baseline Road
6
174.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
|
South Priest Drive
Turn left onto South Priest Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
176.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
|
West Broadway Road
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.5 mi | 55m |
| I 10 Bus | 43.6 mi | 46m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 38.1 mi | 38m |
| State Route 80 | 17.2 mi | 25m |
| South Freeway | 6 mi | 6m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| South Lee Street | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| South Priest Drive | 2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tombstone, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.
1
Start on this road
295 ft
·
27 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto South 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
South 4th Street
3
Turn left onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Fremont Street
4
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North Sumner Street
5
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
12 mi
·
17 min
·
State Route 80
6
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
South Lee Street
7
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Patton Street
8
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
State Route 80
9
Turn left
63 ft
·
2 sec
10
Turn right onto I 10 Bus
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East 4th Street
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
44 mi
·
46 min
·
I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 10 West: Tucson
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on I 10
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 155
Toward Baseline Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto West Baseline Road
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
West Baseline Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto South Priest Drive
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Priest Drive
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Road
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Roosevelt Street
Use the left lane.
22
At end of road, turn right onto West 13th Street
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
West 13th Street
23
Arrive at destination
West 13th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for one strategic stop will help break up the 3-hour and 22-minute duration. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is roughly $35, so topping off your tank before leaving Tombstone is a smart way to avoid unnecessary stops along the busier highway sections. Given the nature of the route, stay mindful of changing speed limits as you transition between the primary highways and local connecting roads. Use the 54.5-mile stretch on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway to settle into a comfortable rhythm, but remain ready to adjust your pace as you approach the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway segment. Prioritizing a steady, consistent speed will help you manage your fuel efficiency effectively throughout the drive.
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 88.9 miles from Tombstone, AZ, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.9 miles or 1h 46m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tempe Junction, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tombstone, 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 Tombstone, AZ
This is one driving day of about 177.8 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tombstone, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.9 mi from Tombstone, AZ · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 88.9 miles from Tombstone, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tempe Junction, AZ
The final approach into Tempe Junction, 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 Tempe Junction, 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
$35.39 one way
$70.77 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $37.37 | $74.73 |
| premium | $5.59 | $39.11 | $78.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $39.50 | $79.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.3 | 0 | $18.67 | $8.53 |
| Efficient EV | 44.5 | 0 | $15.56 | $7.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.1 | 0 | $24.89 | $11.38 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Tempe Junction, AZ
Evening in Tempe Junction on Sunday
Local time
5:22 PM
MST
Current temp
60°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
15 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 22m 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 Tombstone, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 177.8 miles and takes about 3h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, I 10 Bus, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.9 miles from Tombstone, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.39 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 177.8 miles you will encounter 11 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 25.7 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.1 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 173.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tombstone, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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