Driving from Kingman to Tempe covers 201.5 miles across the Arizona desert, typically taking about 4 hours and 8 minutes of travel time. Because this journey fits easily into a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace. You should budget approximately $40 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. The route stays entirely within the Desert Southwest, providing a consistent climate and landscape as you transition between these two hubs. It is a straightforward, mixed-profile drive that functions well as a direct transit or a simple day excursion. Expect a practical experience that prioritizes efficiency while keeping you on the road for a manageable amount of time.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
100.8 miles from Kingman, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 93
91.1 mi
1h 46m
Grand Avenue
26.6 mi
36m
Purple Heart Trail
22.1 mi
22m
Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
16.3 mi
24m
Papago Freeway
11.9 mi
13m
Agua Fria Freeway
8.9 mi
10m
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
8.7 mi
10m
Red Mountain Freeway
8.3 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
US 93
— 91.1 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingman, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on North 4th Street
67 ft·8 sec·North 4th Street
2
Turn left onto East Beale Street
0.8 mi·1 min·East Beale Street
3
Take the ramp onto US 93
0.3 mi·36 sec·US 93
Toward US 93, I 40, I 11 Future: Flagstaff, PhoenixUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 40; US 93
22 mi·22 min·Purple Heart Trail
5
Take the exit onto US 93
91 mi·1 hr 46 min·US 93
Exit 71Toward US 93 South: Wickenburg, PhoenixUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto US 93
11 mi·12 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.6 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
8
Enter roundabout onto US 93
138 ft·5 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
9
Continue on US 93
1.2 mi·2 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
10
Enter roundabout onto US 93
139 ft·4 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
11
Continue on US 93
0.9 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.9 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
0.5 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
14
Continue on US 93
104 ft·4 sec·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93
1.2 mi·2 min·Wickenburg–Kingman Highway
16
Enter roundabout onto US 60
201 ft·8 sec·East Wickenburg Way
17
Continue on US 60
1.5 mi·2 min·East Wickenburg Way
18
Continue on US 60
8.7 mi·10 min·Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
19
Continue on US 60
5.2 mi·5 min·Grand Avenue
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on US 60
1.7 mi·1 min·Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
21
Continue on US 60
1.1 mi·1 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
20 mi·29 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
24
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
8.9 mi·10 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 10 East: PhoenixUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 10
10 mi·12 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·35 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
28
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
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.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi·41 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop East
31
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.
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 8Toward McClintock DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi·3 min·South McClintock Drive
Use the right lane.
34
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
60 ft·1 sec·East Apache Boulevard
Use the right lane.
35
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just over 4 hours, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. I recommend planning for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh, especially given the length of the primary highway segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 91.1-mile stretch on US 93, as consistent highway speeds can increase consumption. Because this is a single-day commitment, you can easily avoid peak traffic by timing your arrival in the Tempe area to miss the heaviest commuter windows. Staying aware of the transition from highway driving to the local roads of Grand Avenue will help you maintain a smooth pace until you reach your final destination.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 100.8 miles from Kingman, AZ, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 44 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.8 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 22m
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 Kingman, 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 Kingman, AZ
This is one driving day of about 201.5 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Kingman, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 93 for about 91.1 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 191.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|US 93
Take the ramp onto US 93 toward US 93, I 40, I 11 Future: Flagstaff, Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 93, I 40, I 11 Future: Flagstaff, Pho...
8
23.2 mi into trip|~24m in|US 93
Take the exit onto US 93 toward US 93 South: Wickenburg, Phoenix
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 71
Toward US 93 South: Wickenburg, Phoenix
8
178 mi into trip|~3h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
8
191.2 mi into trip|~3h 54m 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
191.7 mi into trip|~3h 55m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.14 one way
$80.28 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$42.48
$84.96
premium
$5.59
$44.35
$88.71
diesel
$5.61
$44.49
$88.98
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.4
0
$21.16
$9.67
Efficient EV
50.4
0
$17.63
$8.06
EV Truck/SUV
80.6
1
$28.21
$12.90
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 16, 2026
Origin
Kingman, AZ
Evening
in Kingman on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
MST
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Evening
in Tempe on Saturday
Local time
7:46 PM
MST
Current temp
88°F
Partly Sunny
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
9 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
4h 8m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a varied driving profile, with roughly 60% of your time spent on highways. You will navigate a combination of US 93, the Purple Heart Trail, and Grand Avenue as you maneuver toward the Phoenix metro area. A significant portion of your journey includes a 91.1-mile stretch on US 93, which represents the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. The road transitions from open desert stretches into more localized, higher-traffic environments as you approach your destination. While the highway sections allow for steady speeds, be prepared for the shift in pace once you move onto the local road network.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.1 mi on US 93.
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 0.8 miles in near US 93.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 201.5 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 0.8 miles (US 93): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.2 miles (US 93): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Kingman, AZ to Tempe, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Phoenix along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 201.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.1 miles on US 93. 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 93): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.2 miles (US 93): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Tempe, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
