Page, AZ to Tempe, AZ is 288.3 miles and takes about 5h 30m via Arizona Veterans Highway and US 89, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a straightforward drive between two points in Arizona. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable route for those looking to cover ground efficiently. The mix of highway and surface roads means you'll experience varied driving conditions. Consider this a practical transit route rather than a destination in itself.
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
144.1 miles from Page, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Page, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on South Navajo Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·South Navajo Drive
2
Turn left onto Aspen Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Aspen Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto South Lake Powell Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·South Lake Powell Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto US 89
0.3 mi·29 sec·Highway South
Use the left lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto US 89
160 ft·3 sec·US 89
Toward US 89 South
6
Continue on US 89
81 mi·1 hr 37 min·US 89
Toward US 89 South
7
Enter roundabout onto US 89
154 ft·2 sec·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
8
Continue on US 89
38 mi·44 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
9
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 89
10
Continue on US 89
2.3 mi·4 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
11
Turn left onto Country Club Drive
0.3 mi·51 sec·Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 40
4.7 mi·5 min·Purple Heart Trail
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
16
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi·1 hr 33 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
17
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Continue on I 17
25 mi·28 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: Central Phoenix, TucsonUse the slight left lane.
23
Merge onto I 10
1.2 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·35 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
25
Continue on I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
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.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway
0.3 mi·41 sec·Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147AToward AZ 202 Loop East
28
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.
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 8Toward McClintock DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi·3 min·South McClintock Drive
Use the right lane.
31
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
60 ft·1 sec·East Apache Boulevard
Use the right lane.
32
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
For this 5.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is advisable to ensure you have ample daylight. Since it's recommended as a one-day trip, you'll only need one significant stop. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 93-mile stretch on Arizona Veterans Highway, as services might be less frequent. The $54 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting. Given the manageable duration, you have flexibility to depart later if needed, but an earlier start allows for a more relaxed pace and avoids late-day driving.
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 144.1 miles from Page, AZ, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 63 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.1 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 30m
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 Page, 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 Page, AZ
This is one driving day of about 288.3 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Page, 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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 93 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 278.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|South Lake Powell Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto South Lake Powell Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
273.8 mi into trip|~5h 11m 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
274 mi into trip|~5h 11m 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
278 mi into trip|~5h 16m 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
278.4 mi into trip|~5h 17m 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
$58.78 one way
$117.57 round trip
$5.18/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.48
$62.25
$124.49
premium
$5.74
$65.09
$130.19
diesel
$6.18
$70.13
$140.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.5
1
$30.27
$13.84
Efficient EV
72.1
0
$25.23
$11.53
EV Truck/SUV
115.3
1
$40.36
$18.45
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Page, AZ
Late night
in Page on Tuesday
Local time
3:39 AM
MST
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Late night
in Tempe on Tuesday
Local time
3:39 AM
MST
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Clear
ENE 0 to 5 mph6% 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
17 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
5h 30m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-based & backcountry recreation. The recreation area stretches for hundreds of mil...
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$10
near mile 178.9
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
$25
near mile 129.2
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...
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...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
$10
near mile 178.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 46% of this 288.3-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 93 miles along Arizona Veterans Highway. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so expect transitions from higher-speed roads to potentially slower segments. Given the longest stretch, you'll have a significant period of cruising before encountering more exits or merging traffic.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93 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 0.6 miles in near South Lake Powell Boulevard.
Driving Effort9/10
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 20 significant decision points across 288.3 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 0.6 miles (South Lake Powell Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 273.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,749 ft1,181 ft
Total Climb
4,692 ft
Total Descent
7,854 ft
Highest Point
6,749 ft
~144.6 mi in
Elevation Range
5,569 ft
Notable High Points
6,108 ft at ~20.7 miles+321 ft prominence
6,749 ft at ~144.6 miles+19 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Page, AZ and Tempe, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff, Phoenix and Los Angeles.
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.
Top landmarks
•Tempe Butte — mountain in United States of America
•Arizona State University Art Museum — art museum in Tempe, Arizona
•Gammage Memorial Auditorium — performing arts center in Tempe, Arizona
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 288.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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, 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. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (South Lake Powell Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 273.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Montezuma Castle National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tempe, AZ before the return drive.
