Origin
Coolidge, AZ
Night in Coolidge on Saturday
Local time
9:15 PM
MST
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Coolidge, 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
1h 4m
Distance
51.7 mi
83 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 15m
10 AM
1h 8m
12 PM
1h 7m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Coolidge, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Tempe, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 53.9-mile drive from Coolidge to Tempe, Arizona, is a straightforward 1-hour journey through the Desert Southwest. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, it's an easy day trip that won't break the bank. The route primarily utilizes local roads with some sections on I-10, offering a practical way to connect these two Arizona communities. Given its short duration, you can easily complete this drive in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Consider this a functional, no-frills trip perfect for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 23.2 mi | 23m |
| Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway | 7 mi | 9m |
| Junction I-10-Mesa Highway | 7 mi | 8m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Superstition Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| South McClintock Drive | 2 mi | 4m |
| North Arizona Boulevard | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| West Central Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
— 23.2 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coolidge, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on West Central Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Central Avenue
2
Turn right onto AZ 87; AZ 287
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Arizona Boulevard
3
Turn left onto AZ 87
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
4
Turn left onto AZ 387
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
5
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 387
520 ft
·
10 sec
·
Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
7
Merge onto I 10
23 mi
·
23 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 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 154
Toward 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 175
Toward McClintock Drive
Use 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
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.8 miles from Coolidge, 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 16 and 49.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
16 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
AZ 387 / Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 387 / Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway
Navigation decision point
5
16.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Merge onto I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
45.5 mi into trip
|
~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
46.1 mi into trip
|
~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
49.2 mi into trip
|
~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
$10.30 one way
$20.60 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $10.90 | $21.80 |
| premium | $5.59 | $11.38 | $22.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.41 | $22.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.43 | $2.48 |
| Efficient EV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.52 | $2.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.24 | $3.31 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Night in Tempe on Saturday
Local time
9:15 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
90°F
Guadalupe, AZ
26 mi in
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
37 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 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 53.9-mile route, with segments on I-10 and I 10 West making up the remaining mileage. The highway share is 0%, indicating you'll be navigating surface streets and potentially some busier main roads rather than high-speed interstate travel. While there isn't a defined longest stretch, the profile suggests a more stop-and-go experience as you make your way through towns and intersections. This drive will feel more like navigating a series of local roads than a continuous highway cruise.
43% 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: 23.2 mi on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 16 miles in near AZ 387 / Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 51.7 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: at 16 miles (AZ 387 / Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway): Navigation decision point; at 16.4 miles (I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 51.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (43%). 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 23.2 miles on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 16 miles (AZ 387 / Casa Grande-I-10-Coolidge Highway): Navigation decision point; at 16.4 miles (I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — 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.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tempe, AZ
More trips to Tempe, AZ
Explore more options from Coolidge, AZ or browse trips ending in Tempe, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.