Origin
Cornville, AZ
Late night in Cornville on Tuesday
Local time
2:47 AM
MST
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cornville, AZ to Tempe, 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 10m
Distance
115.3 mi
186 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cornville, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Tempe, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cornville, AZ to Tempe, AZ is 115.3 miles and takes about 2h 10m via Arizona Veterans Highway and Black Canyon Freeway, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Desert Southwest region, transitioning from a more rural Arizona setting to the bustling Phoenix metropolitan area. Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate between local roads and major freeways. It's a manageable distance, making it a straightforward trip if you're looking for a direct route south.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.7 miles from Cornville, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Veterans Highway | 47.2 mi | 47m |
| Black Canyon Freeway | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| East Cornville Road | 9 mi | 15m |
| 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 |
| South McClintock Drive | 1.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Arizona Veterans Highway
— 47.2 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cornville, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on CR 30
9.0 mi
·
15 min
·
East Cornville Road
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
3
Merge onto I 17
47 mi
·
47 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
4
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 17
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on I 17
25 mi
·
28 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
12
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A
Toward AZ 202 Loop East
15
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.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 8
Toward McClintock Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South McClintock Drive
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
60 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
Use the right lane.
19
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 10m duration, this is definitely a one-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning is a good idea to avoid the worst of the afternoon traffic heading into Tempe. While there are no designated stops in the data, planning for a brief pause during the 47.2-mile stretch on Arizona Veterans Highway could be beneficial. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; with a $23 estimated cost, it suggests readily available services, but it's always wise to top off before hitting longer stretches of highway, especially outside major towns.
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 57.7 miles from Cornville, AZ, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.2 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 25 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.7 miles or 1h 4m 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 44m
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 Cornville, 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 Cornville, AZ
This is one driving day of about 115.3 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Cornville, 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 47.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.7 miles from Cornville, 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 100.9 and 113.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
100.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m 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
101.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m 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
105 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m 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
105.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 57m 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
113.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m 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
$22.97 one way
$45.94 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $24.31 | $48.62 |
| premium | $5.59 | $25.38 | $50.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.46 | $50.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.11 | $5.53 |
| Efficient EV | 28.8 | 0 | $10.09 | $4.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.14 | $7.38 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Late night in Tempe on Tuesday
Local time
2:47 AM
MST
Current temp
84°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
40 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 10m 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 8.1
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$10
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a blend of driving experiences, with about 40% of it on highways. You'll start on local roads like East Cornville Road before merging onto the Arizona Veterans Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 47.2 miles on the Arizona Veterans Highway, which should provide a consistent pace. As you progress, you'll transition to the Black Canyon Freeway, a major artery that brings you closer to urban environments. The road character shifts from open desert to more developed areas as you approach your destination.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.2 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 100.9 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 10 significant decision points across 115.3 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 100.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105 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 Cornville, AZ and Tempe, AZ, road signs point toward Los Angeles and Tucson.
Los Angeles
100.9 mi in
|
~1h 51m
Tucson
101.1 mi in
|
~1h 51m
About the Cities
Arriving in Tempe, AZ
Full guide →Tempe is a city of 180,587 (2020) in the Greater Phoenix area of Arizona, best known as the home of Arizona State University (ASU). Its younger, student-heavy population allows it to offer a vibrant nightlife that is relatively rare in Arizona.
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 2h 10m. Total distance: 115.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). 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 47.2 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, 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 100.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105 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 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, 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.
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