Spanning 158.4 miles across the Desert Southwest, this direct route from Benson to Tempe is an efficient journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 28 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $31 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating through the heart of Arizona, you will rely on a combination of East 4th Street, I-10 West, and South Freeway. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, this drive offers a practical path between the two regions without requiring complex logistical planning.
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 miles from Benson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
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
South Freeway
6 mi
6m
Maricopa Freeway
5.9 mi
6m
Superstition Freeway
2.4 mi
2m
South McClintock Drive
2 mi
4m
East 4th Street
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benson, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on South San Pedro Street
16 ft·6 sec·South San Pedro Street
2
Turn left onto I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
1.7 mi·2 min·East 4th Street
3
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: TucsonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi·6 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi·4 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi·51 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
5.9 mi·6 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 154Toward US 60 East: Mesa-GlobeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 154Toward US 60 East: Mesa Globe
11
Merge onto US 60
2.4 mi·2 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 175Toward McClintock DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
2.0 mi·4 min·South McClintock Drive
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
137 ft·10 sec·East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 28 minute duration, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without needing to schedule multiple rest stops. Since this is a relatively quick trip, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours when merging onto the South Freeway near your destination. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $31 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and current local pricing. Since the route involves several turns, confirm your navigation settings before leaving Benson to ensure you stay on course throughout the transition to I-10 West. Taking advantage of the short travel time allows you to make the most of your day once you arrive in Tempe.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78 miles from Benson, AZ, or about 1h 23m 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 34 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78 miles or 1h 23m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tempe, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Benson, 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 Benson, AZ
This is one driving day of about 156 miles and 2h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Benson, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 153.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.7 mi into trip|~2m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tucson
6
55.1 mi into trip|~1h 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 straight / slight right lanes.
7
149.8 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
6
150.4 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 60 East: Mesa Globe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa Globe
7
153.5 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward McClintock Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 175
Toward McClintock Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.08 one way
$62.15 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$32.89
$65.78
premium
$5.59
$34.34
$68.68
diesel
$5.61
$34.44
$68.89
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: 54.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.8
0
$16.38
$7.49
Efficient EV
39
0
$13.65
$6.24
EV Truck/SUV
62.4
0
$21.84
$9.98
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Benson, AZ
Night
in Benson on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
MST
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Night
in Tempe on Saturday
Local time
9:14 PM
MST
Current temp
93°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
47 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
2h 47m 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.
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$25
near mile 37.7
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
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 113
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between road types. While the route involves significant interstate travel, the journey begins with local navigation on East 4th Street, which serves as your longest uninterrupted stretch. The character of the road shifts as you merge onto I-10 West and the South Freeway, moving away from local town streets into a more structured transit pattern. Because the highway share is 0% on certain segments, you will experience a mix of speeds and turning requirements that keep the drive engaging. Be prepared for varied road conditions as you head toward Tempe.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.5 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 156 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.1 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Benson is a historic rail town of 5,400 people (2020) in Southeast Arizona. For visitors there is little of interest in the town, but it does offer a range of options for accommodation and as such can be a good base for exploring the region.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 47m. Total distance: 156 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.5 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Tempe, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.1 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Saguaro National Park and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tempe, AZ before heading back.
