Catalina Foothills, AZ to Tempe, AZ is 109.7 miles and takes about 2h 4m via Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, and East River Road, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road navigation, making it a manageable day trip for most travelers. It's a practical route for getting from the Tucson area to the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.8 miles from Catalina Foothills, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
49.8 mi
50m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi
38m
East River Road
7.7 mi
13m
Maricopa Freeway
5.9 mi
6m
Superstition Freeway
2.4 mi
2m
South McClintock Drive
2 mi
4m
North Hacienda del Sol Road
1.3 mi
3m
West Orange Grove Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 49.8 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Catalina Foothills, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on North Hacienda del Sol Road
1.3 mi·3 min·North Hacienda del Sol Road
2
Turn right onto East River Road
7.7 mi·13 min·East River Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto West Orange Grove Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·West Orange Grove Road
4
Turn right onto North Casa Grande Highway
0.1 mi·13 sec·North Casa Grande Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 10 West
6
Merge onto I 10
50 mi·50 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 2h 4m duration and 109.7-mile distance, this is an easy same-day trip. You can depart anytime in the morning and still have ample daylight to reach Tempe. While there are no specific stops recommended, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the longest stretch is nearly 50 miles. The estimated fuel cost is around $22, so plan accordingly. The 'turn-heavy local drive' suggests paying close attention to navigation and road signs to avoid missing any crucial turns.
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 54.8 miles from Catalina Foothills, AZ, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.8 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 24 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.8 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 39m
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 Catalina Foothills, 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 Catalina Foothills, AZ
This is one driving day of about 109.7 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Catalina Foothills, 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 49.8 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 107.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.3 mi into trip|~3m in|East River Road
Turn right onto East River Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
9.7 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
103.5 mi into trip|~1h 53m 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
104.1 mi into trip|~1h 54m 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
107.2 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
$21.85 one way
$43.71 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$23.13
$46.26
premium
$5.59
$24.15
$48.29
diesel
$5.61
$24.22
$48.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.4 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
32.9
0
$11.52
$5.27
Efficient EV
27.4
0
$9.60
$4.39
EV Truck/SUV
43.9
0
$15.36
$7.02
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Catalina Foothills, AZ
Late night
in Catalina Foothills on Sunday
Local time
4:59 AM
MST
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Late night
in Tempe on Sunday
Local time
4:59 AM
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
38 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 4m 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
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 68.1
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route has a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, with only 8% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a variety of road types, including the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, and East River Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 49.8 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. Be prepared for frequent changes in road conditions and speed limits as you transition between these different segments, requiring your attention throughout the drive.
Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.8 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
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 1.3 miles in near East River Road.
Driving Effort6/10
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 109.7 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 1.3 miles (East River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 109.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.8 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles (East River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Saguaro National Park. 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.
