Cordes Lakes to Tempe is 78.8 miles and takes about 1h 31m via Black Canyon Freeway, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Arizona's Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward journey. It's a relatively short trip, making it ideal for a single day with plenty of time to spare. You'll primarily be on well-maintained freeways, so expect a consistent pace for most of the drive. This route is a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient connection between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.4 miles from Cordes Lakes, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Black Canyon Freeway
35.3 mi
38m
Arizona Veterans Highway
17.1 mi
17m
Red Mountain Freeway
8.3 mi
10m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi
5m
North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi
3m
Papago Freeway
2.7 mi
3m
East Stagecoach Trail
1.8 mi
4m
South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Black Canyon Freeway
— 35.3 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cordes Lakes, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on East Ash Creek Road
137 ft·9 sec·East Ash Creek Road
2
Turn right onto South Black Mountain Road
0.4 mi·1 min·South Black Mountain Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto East Stagecoach Trail
1.8 mi·4 min·East Stagecoach Trail
4
Turn left onto Arcosanti Road
0.2 mi·43 sec·Arcosanti Road
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·44 sec
6
Merge onto I 17
17 mi·17 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
7
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 17
25 mi·28 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Exit 200AToward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los AngelesUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, TucsonUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·35 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
15
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.1 mi·7 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi·41 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop East
18
Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
7.9 mi·9 min·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 8Toward McClintock DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi·3 min·South McClintock Drive
Use the right lane.
21
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
60 ft·1 sec·East Apache Boulevard
Use the right lane.
22
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 31m duration, this is comfortably a same-day trip. You could leave anytime in the morning or afternoon and arrive well before dark. With only 78.8 miles, you have flexibility for departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch between potential services is 35.3 miles on the Black Canyon Freeway, though this is still a well-traveled corridor. The fuel cost is estimated at $16, so you won't need to budget heavily for gas on this short hop.
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 39.4 miles from Cordes Lakes, AZ, or about 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.3 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 17 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.4 miles or 44m 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 15m
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 Cordes Lakes, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cordes Lakes, AZ
This is one driving day of about 78.8 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Cordes Lakes, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Black Canyon Freeway for about 35.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 64.3 and 76.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
64.3 mi into trip|~1h 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
64.5 mi into trip|~1h 12m 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
68.5 mi into trip|~1h 17m 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
69 mi into trip|~1h 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
76.8 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
$15.70 one way
$31.40 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$16.61
$33.23
premium
$5.59
$17.35
$34.69
diesel
$5.61
$17.40
$34.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.6
0
$8.27
$3.78
Efficient EV
19.7
0
$6.90
$3.15
EV Truck/SUV
31.5
0
$11.03
$5.04
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Cordes Lakes, AZ
Late night
in Cordes Lakes on Sunday
Local time
1:48 AM
MST
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Late night
in Tempe on Sunday
Local time
1:48 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
13 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 31m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a mixed drive, with 59% of the route on highways, primarily the Black Canyon Freeway and Red Mountain Freeway. The longest stretch without a major road change is 35.3 miles on the Black Canyon Freeway. You'll experience a consistent freeway feel for the majority of the journey, punctuated by transitions onto other major arteries. Expect smooth sailing on these well-trafficked roads, making for a predictable driving experience. The character remains largely consistent, focusing on efficient travel.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.3 mi on Black Canyon Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 64.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 64.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.5 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.
Between Cordes Lakes, AZ and Tempe, AZ, road signs point toward Los Angeles and Tucson.
Los Angeles
64.3 mi in|~1h 12m
Tucson
64.5 mi in|~1h 12m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 78.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). 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 35.3 miles on Black Canyon Freeway. 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.
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 64.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.5 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. 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.
