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Trip from Tortolita, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 52m

Distance

98.8 mi

159 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

18 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 44m ★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Tortolita, AZ, AZ

Tortolita, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Downtown Tempe Junction, AZ, AZ

Tempe Junction, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

The drive from Tortolita, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 98.8 miles and takes about 1h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, West Tangerine Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.2 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.68 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.

Midpoint

49.4 miles from Tortolita, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway 40.2 mi 40m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway 38.1 mi 38m
West Tangerine Road 8.9 mi 14m
Maricopa Freeway 5.8 mi 6m
South Priest Drive 2 mi 4m
North La Cholla Boulevard 1 mi 1m
West Broadway Road 0.7 mi 1m
South Roosevelt Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Casa Grande-Tucson Highway — 40.2 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tortolita, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.

1

Start on this road

21 ft · 3 sec · this road
2

Continue on West Naranja Drive

0.3 mi · 48 sec · West Naranja Drive
3

Turn left onto North La Cholla Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · North La Cholla Boulevard
4

Turn left onto West Tangerine Road

8.9 mi · 14 min · West Tangerine Road
Use the left lane.
5

Turn right onto North Casa Grande Highway

0.2 mi · 14 sec · North Casa Grande Highway
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
7

Merge onto I 10

40 mi · 40 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 10

38 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 10

5.8 mi · 6 min · Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Exit 155 Toward Baseline Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn right onto West Baseline Road

0.2 mi · 34 sec · West Baseline Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12

Turn left onto South Priest Drive

2.0 mi · 4 min · South Priest Drive
Use the left lane.
13

Turn right onto West Broadway Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Broadway Road
Use the right lane.
14

Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Roosevelt Street
Use the left lane.
15

At end of road, turn right onto West 13th Street

0.3 mi · 47 sec · West 13th Street
16

Arrive at destination

West 13th Street

Trip Plan

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 49.4 miles from Tortolita, AZ, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.2 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 22 miles or 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 49.4 miles or 56m 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 28m

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 Tortolita, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Tortolita, AZ

This is one driving day of about 98.8 miles and 1h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Tortolita, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 40.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Pinal County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Casa Grande, AZ

49 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

Avra Valley, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Arizona City, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.4 miles from Tortolita, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Rainforest Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tempe, Arizona

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 98.8

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14807529100

Visit website

Rainforest Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 98.8

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14807529100

Visit website

Tempe Festival of the Arts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 98.8

Tempe, Arizona

+14803556060

Visit website

Tempe Town Lake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 98.8

Tempe, Arizona

Villago Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 63.5

Casa Grande, Arizona

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+15204218600

Visit website

Oro Valley Archery Range

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Oro Valley, Arizona

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15202295050

Visit website

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 98.8

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+14805657081

Visit website

Amusement Park Rides RandRrides(Phoenix Park & Swap)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 98.8

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: Closed

+14809958653

Visit website

Riverview Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 98.8

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14806442352

Visit website

Tyrannostorus

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 98.8

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+14805974467

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 10.6 and 98 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
10.6 mi into trip | ~17m in | I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Merge onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
94.6 mi into trip | ~1h 43m 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
95.2 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | South Priest Drive

Turn left onto South Priest Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
97.3 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in | West Broadway Road

Turn right onto West Broadway Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
98 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in | South Roosevelt Street

Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.68 one way

$39.36 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $20.83 $41.66
premium $5.59 $21.75 $43.50
diesel $5.61 $21.81 $43.63

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

18 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Circle K - Tesla Supercharger

Eloy, AZ

Tesla

28 DCFC

TA, Sunland Gin Rd, Eloy, AZ

Eloy, AZ

BP_PULSE

16 DCFC

The Groves - Tempe, AZ - Tesla Supercharger

Tempe, AZ

Tesla

16 DCFC

Arizona Mills Mall - Tesla Supercharger

Tempe, AZ

Tesla

14 DCFC

Chandler Pavillions - Tesla Supercharger

Chandler, AZ

Tesla

12 DCFC

The Park at San Tan - Tesla Supercharger

Chandler, AZ

Tesla

12 DCFC

Tucson Premium Outlets (Tucson, AZ)

Tucson, AZ

Electrify America

10 DCFC

AZ Mills Mall (Tempe, AZ)

Tempe, AZ

Electrify America

8 DCFC

Tesla: 6 Electrify America: 4 eVgo Network: 3 RED_E: 2 BP_PULSE: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1 WALMART: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.6 0 $10.37 $4.74
Efficient EV 24.7 0 $8.65 $3.95
EV Truck/SUV 39.5 0 $13.83 $6.32

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 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 15, 2026

Origin

Tortolita, AZ

Morning in Tortolita on Saturday

Local time

10:43 AM

MST

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tempe Junction, AZ

Morning in Tempe Junction on Saturday

Local time

10:43 AM

MST

Current temp

90°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

34 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

1h 52m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~27 min detour Free near mile 57.9
View on nps.gov
Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park

National Park

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...

21 mi from route ~51 min detour $25
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 1h 52m drive with frequent turns across 98.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 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 40.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

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 10.6 miles in near I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 98.8 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 10.6 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.2 miles (South Priest Drive): Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 98.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (6%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Tortolita, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 98.8 miles and takes about 1h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, West Tangerine Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 49.4 miles from Tortolita, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.68 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 98.8 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 10.6 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.2 miles (South Priest Drive): Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Tortolita, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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