Origin
Oracle, AZ
Morning in Oracle on Tuesday
Local time
8:18 AM
MST
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oracle, 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 16m
Distance
108 mi
174 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 7m
★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oracle, AZ
Olga Shiryaeva
Tempe, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Oracle, AZ to Tempe, AZ is 108 miles and takes about 2h 16m via Pinal Pioneer Parkway, Superstition Freeway, and North Pinal Parkway, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily travels through the Desert Southwest, staying within Arizona. Expect a highway-focused drive that makes for a straightforward journey. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed departure or arrival.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54 miles from Oracle, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pinal Pioneer Parkway | 35.9 mi | 41m |
| Superstition Freeway | 21.9 mi | 25m |
| North Pinal Parkway | 15.6 mi | 19m |
| Phoenix–Globe Highway | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| Tucson-Globe Highway | 9.1 mi | 12m |
| South Pinal Parkway Avenue | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| East American Avenue | 2 mi | 4m |
| East Broadway Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
— 35.9 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oracle, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on Evergreen Drive
253 ft
·
14 sec
·
Evergreen Drive
2
Turn left onto East American Avenue
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
East American Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto AZ 77
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Tucson-Globe Highway
4
Turn right onto AZ 79; US 80 Hist
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
State Route 79
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
36 mi
·
41 min
·
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
6
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
South Pinal Parkway Avenue
7
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
16 mi
·
19 min
·
North Pinal Parkway
8
Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Oracle Junction–Florence Highway
9
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 80 Hist
Toward US 60 West: Apache Junction, Mesa, Phoenix
Use the left lane.
10
Merge onto US 60; US 80 Hist
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
2 min
Exit 176B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Price Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 53
Toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto South Price Road
302 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Price Road
16
Turn left onto East Broadway Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Broadway Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
South McClintock Drive
18
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
137 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over two hours and a fuel cost estimated at $22, this route offers considerable flexibility. Aim to depart Oracle, AZ in the morning to take full advantage of daylight and avoid any potential afternoon heat. Since the longest continuous stretch is under 36 miles, you won't need to worry about extended periods without services, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between Pinal Pioneer Parkway and the Superstition Freeway. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point if needed, though the drive is easily manageable in one go.
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 54 miles from Oracle, AZ, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 24 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54 miles or 1h 7m 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 51m
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 Oracle, 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 Oracle, AZ
This is one driving day of about 108 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Oracle, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pinal Pioneer Parkway for about 35.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54 miles from Oracle, 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 11.2 and 105.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
11.2 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79
Turn right onto AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
69.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
US 80 Hist
Turn left onto US 80 Hist toward US 60 West: Apache Junction, Mesa, Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 60 West: Apache Junction, Mesa, Phoen...
5
69.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
US 60; US 80 Hist / Phoenix–Globe Highway
Merge onto US 60; US 80 Hist / Phoenix–Globe Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
104 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 176B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
8
105.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53
Toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.51 one way
$43.03 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $22.77 | $45.54 |
| premium | $5.59 | $23.77 | $47.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.85 | $47.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.4 | 0 | $11.34 | $5.18 |
| Efficient EV | 27 | 0 | $9.45 | $4.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.12 | $6.91 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Morning in Tempe on Tuesday
Local time
8:18 AM
MST
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Florence, AZ
54 mi in
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
2h 16m 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.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
National Monument
An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 52.2
View on nps.gov
Saguaro National Park
National Park
Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
$25
near mile 11.2
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...
29 mi from route
~71 min detour
$10
near mile 78.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 75% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience stretches of uninterrupted driving, including a longest stretch of 35.9 miles on Pinal Pioneer Parkway. The character of the drive is defined by its primary roads: Pinal Pioneer Parkway, Superstition Freeway, and North Pinal Parkway, suggesting a journey that emphasizes efficiency and consistent travel speeds. It's a route designed for covering ground without significant detours or complex road changes.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.9 mi on Pinal Pioneer Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pinal Pioneer Parkway and Superstition Freeway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 11.2 miles in near AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 108 miles you will encounter 11 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 11.2 miles (AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.4 miles (US 80 Hist): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.9 miles (US 60; US 80 Hist / Phoenix–Globe Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Oracle, AZ and Tempe, AZ, road signs point toward Mesa and Phoenix.
Mesa
69.4 mi in
|
~1h 27m
|
via US 80 Hist
Phoenix
69.4 mi in
|
~1h 27m
|
via US 80 Hist
About the Cities
Starting in Oracle, AZ
Full guide →Oracle is a small town in South Central Arizona, about 40 miles north of Tucson.
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 16m. Total distance: 108 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.9 miles on Pinal Pioneer Parkway. 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 11.2 miles (AZ 79; US 80 Hist / State Route 79): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.4 miles (US 80 Hist): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.9 miles (US 60; US 80 Hist / Phoenix–Globe Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Saguaro National Park and Tonto 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 from Oracle, AZ
More trips to Tempe, AZ
Explore more options from Oracle, AZ or browse trips ending in Tempe, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.