Origin
Big Park, AZ
Morning in Big Park on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
MST
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Park, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
118.2 mi
190 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Park, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Big Park, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ is 118.2 miles and takes about 2h 11m via Arizona Veterans Highway and Black Canyon Freeway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward drive between two points. With a recommended single day of travel, you can expect a relatively short trip that allows for flexibility in your schedule. It's a practical option if you're looking to connect these two locations efficiently without a significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.1 miles from Big Park, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 52.9 mi | 52m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 38.4 mi | 42m |
| Red Rock Scenic Byway | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | 5.8 mi | 5m |
| North Black Canyon Highway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| East Broadway Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| South Roosevelt Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 52.9 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Park, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.
1
Start on this road
67 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto East Cortez Drive
117 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Cortez Drive
3
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
176 ft
·
2 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
4
Continue on AZ 179
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
5
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
100 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
6
Continue on AZ 179
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
7
Enter roundabout onto AZ 179
108 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
8
Continue on AZ 179
7.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Red Rock Scenic Byway
9
Take the exit onto AZ 179
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
AZ 179
Exit 298
Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
10
Merge onto I 17
53 mi
·
52 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
11
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 17
28 mi
·
32 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 17; US 60
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 153
Toward AZ 143: 48th Street, Broadway Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
501 ft
·
12 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Maricopa Freeway
20
Turn left onto East Broadway Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Broadway Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
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
Given the 2h 11m estimated drive time, it's best to depart early to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since this is a single-day trip covering just over 100 miles, you have the flexibility to stop as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when you're on Arizona Veterans Highway, as services might be more spread out. Plan your stops strategically to coincide with the transition from highway to surface roads for easier access to amenities.
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 59.1 miles from Big Park, AZ, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.9 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 26 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.1 miles or 1h 3m 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 43m
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 Big Park, 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 Big Park, AZ
This is one driving day of about 118.2 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Big Park, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 52.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.1 miles from Big Park, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 115.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Cortez Drive
At end of road, turn right onto East Cortez Drive
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
7.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
AZ 179
Take the exit onto AZ 179 toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 298
Toward Oak Creek Canyon, SR 179, Sedona
8
115.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward AZ 143: 48th Street, Broadway Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 153
Toward AZ 143: 48th Street, Broadway Road
7
115.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
115.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.55 one way
$47.09 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $24.92 | $49.84 |
| premium | $5.59 | $26.02 | $52.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.10 | $52.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.5 | 0 | $12.41 | $5.67 |
| Efficient EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.34 | $4.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.3 | 0 | $16.55 | $7.56 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Morning in Tempe Junction on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
MST
Current temp
62°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
11 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
2h 11m 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.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
$10
near mile 12.2
Caution: High Levels of Visitation
Tuzigoot National Monument
National Monument
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
$10
near mile 4.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 39% of this 118.2-mile drive is on highways. You'll experience your longest continuous stretch of 52.9 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The route transitions from highway cruising to surface roads, so be prepared for varying driving conditions. Expect a mix of open roads and areas with more frequent intersections as you get closer to your destination.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.9 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Cortez Drive.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 118.2 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (East Cortez Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 7.5 miles (AZ 179): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,654 ft
1,103 ft
Total Climb
1,446 ft
Total Descent
4,355 ft
Highest Point
4,654 ft
~25.3 mi in
Elevation Range
3,550 ft
Notable High Points
4,654 ft at ~25.3 miles
+521 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Big Park, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ, road signs point toward Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona.
Oak Creek Canyon
7.5 mi in
|
~11m
|
via AZ 179
Sedona
7.5 mi in
|
~11m
|
via AZ 179
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 118.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (39%). 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 52.9 miles on Arizona Veterans 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 Junction, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Cortez Drive): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 7.5 miles (AZ 179): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument and Tuzigoot 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 Junction, AZ before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tempe Junction, AZ
More from Big Park, AZ
More trips to Tempe Junction, AZ
Explore more options from Big Park, AZ or browse trips ending in Tempe Junction, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.