Origin
Colorado City, AZ
Evening in Colorado City on Saturday
Local time
6:12 PM
MST
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colorado City, AZ to Tempe, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 32m
Distance
380.2 mi
612 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$76
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 22m
★
6 AM
7h 32m
8 AM
7h 52m
10 AM
7h 39m
12 PM
7h 37m
3 PM
7h 40m
5 PM
7h 51m
8 PM
7h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colorado City, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Tempe, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 380.2-mile journey from Colorado City, AZ to Tempe, AZ is estimated to take about 7 hours and 32 minutes of driving time. With two recommended stops, it’s entirely feasible as a single-day trip, though you might consider an overnight if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is $76. You'll be navigating a mix of state highways, primarily on the Arizona Veterans Highway, Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway, and Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway. This route keeps you within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent landscape throughout your travels.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
190.1 miles from Colorado City, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 93 mi | 1h 33m |
| Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway | 83.6 mi | 1h 53m |
| Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway | 58 mi | 1h 8m |
| Flagstaff-Cameron Highway | 40.2 mi | 48m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| Short Creek–Fredonia Highway | 29.7 mi | 34m |
| Red Mountain Freeway | 8.3 mi | 10m |
| US Highway 89 | 6.4 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 93 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colorado City, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on Heritage Lane
69 ft
·
5 sec
·
Heritage Lane
2
Turn right onto West Township Avenue
449 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Township Avenue
3
Turn right onto CR 377
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Central Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 389
30 mi
·
34 min
·
Short Creek–Fredonia Highway
5
Continue on AZ 389
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Pratt Street
6
Turn right onto US 89A
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
7
Continue on US 89A
84 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
Bitter Springs–Fredonia Highway
8
At end of road, turn right onto US 89
57 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
9
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 89
10
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
11
Enter roundabout onto US 89
154 ft
·
2 sec
·
Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
12
Continue on US 89
38 mi
·
44 min
·
Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
13
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
US Highway 89
14
Continue on US 89
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
15
Turn left onto Country Club Drive
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Use the right lane.
17
Merge onto I 40
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
20
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
21
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
24
Continue on I 17
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 200A
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
Use the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
28
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
29
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
32
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 8
Toward McClintock Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South McClintock Drive
Use the right lane.
35
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
60 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
Use the right lane.
36
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Colorado City, AZ, to maximize daylight. With two stops planned, you can break up the 380.2 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway, as services might be less frequent. Given its feasibility as a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your stop times based on your energy levels and any unexpected opportunities along the way. The $76 fuel budget is a good estimate to factor in.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 190.1 miles from Colorado City, AZ, or about 4h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 84 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 190.1 miles or 4h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 23m
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 Colorado City, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Colorado City, AZ
This is one driving day of about 380.2 miles and 7h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Colorado City, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Arizona Veterans Highway for about 93 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
190 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 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 190.1 miles from Colorado City, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Arizona Veterans Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93 miles.
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 215 decision points cluster between mile 365.7 and 378.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
365.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
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 200A
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, L...
8
365.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
8
369.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 18m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
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 147
Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
8
370.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 18m in
|
Red Mountain Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
7
378.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 28m 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 8
Toward McClintock Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$75.74 one way
$151.48 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
133 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $80.16 | $160.31 |
| premium | $5.59 | $83.69 | $167.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $83.94 | $167.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$76
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$101–$126
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 114.1 | 1 | $39.92 | $18.25 |
| Efficient EV | 95.1 | 1 | $33.27 | $15.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 152.1 | 1 | $53.23 | $24.33 |
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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, AZ
Evening in Tempe on Saturday
Local time
6:12 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
17 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
7h 32m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
$10
near mile 275.3
Caution: High Levels of Visitation
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
National Monument
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
$25
near mile 209.7
View on nps.gov
Pipe Spring National Monument
National Monument
The rich history of Pipe Spring and its flowing water comes alive as you explore the traditions of the Kaibab Paiute and the Mormon settlers through the museum, historic fort, cabins, and garden. Hike...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10
near mile 13.1
View on nps.gov
Walnut Canyon National Monument
National Monument
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$25
near mile 222.9
View on nps.gov
Wupatki National Monument
National Monument
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
$25
near mile 196.6
View on nps.gov
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based & backcountry recreation. The recreation area stretches for hundreds of mil...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
$30
near mile 104.9
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 'turn-heavy local drive' with only 14% of the route on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 93 miles on the Arizona Veterans Highway. This suggests a drive that involves frequent changes in direction and a more intimate experience with the local roads rather than high-speed cruising. The road's personality will likely shift as you transition between these various state highways, requiring your attention for navigation and speed adjustments.
Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 365.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 380.2 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 365.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 365.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 369.9 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Colorado City, AZ and Tempe, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Flagstaff
227.2 mi in
|
~4h 48m
Phoenix
227.3 mi in
|
~4h 49m
About the Cities
Starting in Colorado City, AZ
Full guide →Colorado City is a city of 4,900 people (2018) straddling the Utah/Arizona border, although most of the city is on the Arizona side. The Utah portion is known as Hildale. Colorado City is the largest and best-known polygamist community in the United States, and there are few facilities for travelers.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 32m. Total distance: 380.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 365.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 365.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 369.9 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Pipe Spring National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tempe, AZ before the return drive.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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