Mazatzal Rest Area (Closed)
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Lukachukai, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 11m
Distance
336.2 mi
541 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 0m
★
6 AM
7h 11m
8 AM
7h 33m
10 AM
7h 19m
12 PM
7h 17m
3 PM
7h 20m
5 PM
7h 32m
8 PM
7h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lukachukai, AZ
András Nyemczovszky
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
This 368.6-mile drive from Lukachukai, AZ, to Tempe Junction, AZ, is estimated to take around 6 hours and 11 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily navigate on Routes 133, 13, and 12, with no significant highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is $73. This route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience through the Desert Southwest region of Arizona. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your pace accordingly, but keep in mind the duration might feel long for some as a single-day endeavor.
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
168.1 miles from Lukachukai, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Navajo Route 12 | 81.4 mi | 2h 2m |
| South Beeline Highway | 73.1 mi | 1h 26m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 69.9 mi | 1h 9m |
| Heber Road | 30.9 mi | 36m |
| Payson-Show Low Highway | 24.2 mi | 30m |
| Hwy 260 | 15.9 mi | 22m |
| Payson-Heber Highway | 12.7 mi | 17m |
| West 3rd Street North | 4.9 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Navajo Route 12
— 81.4 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lukachukai, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.
1
Start on this road
278 ft
·
16 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
81 ft
·
3 sec
3
Turn right onto N133
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Navajo Route 133
4
Continue on N13
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Navajo Route 13
5
At end of road, turn left onto N12
41 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Navajo Route 12
6
Continue on N12
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Cleveland Boulevard
7
Continue on N12
12 mi
·
19 min
·
Navajo Route 12
8
At end of road, turn left onto N12
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Navajo Route 12
9
Turn right onto AZ 264
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Arizona State Highway 264
10
Turn left onto N12
24 mi
·
33 min
·
Navajo Route 12
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
12
Merge onto I 40
70 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
13
Take the exit onto AZ 77
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
AZ 77
Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber
14
Turn left onto I 40 Bus; AZ 77; US 66 Hist
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Navajo Boulevard
15
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Holbrook-Springerville Highway
16
Continue on AZ 77
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Show Low-Holbrook Highway
17
Turn right onto AZ 377
31 mi
·
36 min
·
Heber Road
18
Turn straight onto AZ 377
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Heber-Holbrook Highway
19
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 277
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West 3rd Street North
20
Continue on AZ 277
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 277
21
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 260
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Highway 260
22
Continue on AZ 260
16 mi
·
22 min
·
Hwy 260
23
Continue on AZ 260
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Payson-Heber Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on AZ 260
24 mi
·
30 min
·
Payson-Show Low Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn left onto AZ 87
73 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
South Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on AZ 87
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Country Club Drive
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
28
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 7
Toward Scottsdale Road, Rural Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
400 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Arizona State University-Tempe
Use the left lane.
31
Turn slight left onto North Scottsdale Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Scottsdale Road
32
Continue on South Rural Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Rural Road
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Apache Boulevard
34
Turn left onto East 13th Street
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
East 13th Street
Use the left lane.
35
Arrive at destination
West 13th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour, 11-minute duration, starting your journey from Lukachukai, AZ, early in the morning is advisable to ensure a comfortable arrival in Tempe Junction, AZ, before evening. You'll want to account for fuel, with an estimated cost of $73 for the 368.6 miles. Since this is a turn-heavy local drive with no highway share, be mindful of your navigation and keep an eye on your fuel levels, as services may be more spaced out than on major interstates. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and stretch your legs.
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 168.1 miles from Lukachukai, AZ, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.4 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 74 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.1 miles or 3h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tempe Junction, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lukachukai, 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 Lukachukai, AZ
This is one driving day of about 336.2 miles and 7h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Lukachukai, 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 Navajo Route 12 for about 81.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
168 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 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 168.1 miles from Lukachukai, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Navajo Route 12 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Painted Cliffs Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
1.2 mi from route
Tempe Festival of the Arts
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Tempe, Arizona
+14803556060
Visit websiteTempe Town Lake
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Tempe, Arizona
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Tempe, Arizona
Hours: 11 am–5 pm
+14805657081
Visit websiteDesert Dog Offroad Adventures
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4.2 mi from route
~10 min detour
Fountain Hills, Arizona
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+14808373966
Visit websiteAmusement Park Rides RandRrides(Phoenix Park & Swap)
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Phoenix, Arizona
Hours: Closed
+14809958653
Visit websiteRiverview Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4.2 mi from route
~10 min detour
Mesa, Arizona
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+14806442352
Visit websiteTyrannostorus
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Mesa, Arizona
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+14805974467
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 333.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
N12 / Navajo Route 12
At end of road, turn left onto N12 / Navajo Route 12
Navigation decision point
5
157.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
|
AZ 77
Take the exit onto AZ 77 toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South, US 180 East: Show Low, Heber
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 Business, AZ 77 South, AZ 377 South...
5
328.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 57m in
Take the exit toward AZ 202 Loop West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
8
333.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 4m in
Take the exit toward Scottsdale Road, Rural Road
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 7
Toward Scottsdale Road, Rural Road
7
333.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Arizona State University-Tempe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Arizona State University-Tempe
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.58 one way
$119.15 round trip
$4.50/gal
25.4 MPG avg
118 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.82 | $63.80 | $127.60 |
| premium | $5.04 | $66.74 | $133.47 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $63.48 | $126.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.9 | 1 | $35.30 | $16.14 |
| Efficient EV | 84.1 | 0 | $29.42 | $13.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134.5 | 1 | $47.07 | $21.52 |
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Origin
Lukachukai, AZ
Evening in Lukachukai on Saturday
Local time
8:53 PM
MDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Rain Showers then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 6 mph
74% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:29AM MST until July 17 at 6:30AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Destination
Tempe Junction, AZ
Evening in Tempe Junction on Saturday
Local time
7:53 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 mph
29% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:29AM MST until July 17 at 6:30AM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
12 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 11m 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.
Petrified Forest National Park
National Park
A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
$25
near mile 139.1
View on nps.gov
Canyon de Chelly National Monument
National Monument
This canyon is home to Diné families who raise livestock, grow crops and live here. People have lived in these canyons for nearly 5,000 years, which is longer than anyone has lived continuously on the...
13 mi from route
~34 min detour
Free
near mile 11.6
View on nps.gov
Tonto National Monument
National Monument
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
$10
near mile 301.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a road with a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll encounter frequent changes in direction rather than long, straight stretches. The highway share is 0%, so expect a consistent local road experience throughout the entire 368.6 miles. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the nature of this route suggests you'll be actively steering and navigating for much of the journey. The road character likely remains consistent, focusing on local connections rather than high-speed transit.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.4 mi on Navajo Route 12.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 2.4 miles in near N12 / Navajo Route 12.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 336.2 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 2.4 miles (N12 / Navajo Route 12): Navigation decision point; at 157.4 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,553 ft
1,164 ft
Total Climb
3,268 ft
Total Descent
8,648 ft
Highest Point
7,553 ft
~216.1 mi in
Elevation Range
6,389 ft
Notable High Points
7,425 ft at ~24 miles
+370 ft prominence
7,553 ft at ~216.1 miles
+1,304 ft prominence
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.
On the drive from Lukachukai, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Heber along the way.
Heber
157.4 mi in
|
~3h 22m
|
via AZ 77
About the Cities
Starting in Lukachukai, AZ
Full guide →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 11m. Total distance: 336.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.4 miles on Navajo Route 12. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Junction, 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. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles (N12 / Navajo Route 12): Navigation decision point; at 157.4 miles (AZ 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Petrified Forest National Park, Canyon de Chelly National Monument and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tempe Junction, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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