Pirtleville, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ is 229.9 miles and takes about 4h 26m via Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona, moving from the Desert Southwest region to another part of the Desert Southwest. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you head north. With a recommended single day of travel and a manageable distance, this route is a straightforward option for getting between these two points.
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
114.9 miles from Pirtleville, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.5 mi
55m
Tucson-Benson Highway
41.4 mi
43m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi
38m
AZ 80
31.5 mi
42m
State Route 90
17.1 mi
20m
Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
12.7 mi
15m
Huachuca Boulevard
9 mi
10m
South Freeway
6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pirtleville, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.
1
Start on this road
290 ft·23 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto West Pirtle Avenue
461 ft·22 sec·West Pirtle Avenue
3
Turn right onto North Douglas Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Douglas Avenue
4
Turn right onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
21 mi·26 min·AZ 80; US 80 Hist
5
Turn right onto US 80 Hist
0.6 mi·1 min·Old Douglas Road
6
Merge onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
10 mi·15 min·AZ 80; US 80 Hist
7
Turn left onto AZ 90
12 mi·14 min·Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
8
Continue on AZ 90
2.1 mi·2 min·State Route 90
9
Continue on AZ 90
1.0 mi·1 min·Whetstone TI-Junction SR 80 Highway
10
Turn right onto AZ 90
4.4 mi·6 min·State Route 90 Bypass
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on AZ 90
3.0 mi·3 min·State Route 90
12
Continue on AZ 90
2.2 mi·3 min·South Huachuca Boulevard
13
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi·13 min·State Route 90
14
Continue on AZ 90
9.0 mi·10 min·Huachuca Boulevard
15
Continue on AZ 90
1.3 mi·2 min·South State Highway 90
16
Turn left
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
17
Merge onto I 10
41 mi·43 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi·6 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi·4 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi·51 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 10
5.8 mi·6 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 155Toward Baseline RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right onto West Baseline Road
0.2 mi·34 sec·West Baseline Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto South Priest Drive
2.0 mi·4 min·South Priest Drive
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
0.7 mi·1 min·West Broadway Road
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Roosevelt Street
Use the left lane.
28
At end of road, turn right onto West 13th Street
0.3 mi·47 sec·West 13th Street
29
Arrive at destination
West 13th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 26m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning is advisable to allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to break up the 229.9 miles as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longer highway stretches, and remember the estimated fuel cost is $46. A good tip for this route is to be aware of the transition from highway to surface roads; this is where you'll likely see more local traffic and potentially slower speeds, so plan accordingly.
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 114.9 miles from Pirtleville, AZ, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 51 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.9 miles or 2h 22m 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 38m
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 Pirtleville, 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 Pirtleville, AZ
This is one driving day of about 229.9 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Pirtleville, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 47.5 and 226.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
47.5 mi into trip|~1h 4m in|AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass
Turn right onto AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
79.4 mi into trip|~1h 44m in
Turn left toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
6
131.2 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
225.8 mi into trip|~4h 17m in
Take the exit toward Baseline Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 155
Toward Baseline Road
6
226.3 mi into trip|~4h 18m in|South Priest Drive
Turn left onto South Priest Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.74 one way
$81.48 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$43.63
$87.25
premium
$5.04
$45.64
$91.27
diesel
$4.80
$43.41
$86.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69
0
$24.14
$11.04
Efficient EV
57.5
0
$20.12
$9.20
EV Truck/SUV
92
1
$32.19
$14.71
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Pirtleville, AZ
Late night
in Pirtleville on Sunday
Local time
2:19 AM
MST
Current temp
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WNW 0 to 8 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:08AM MST until July 18 at 12:30PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Tempe Junction, AZ
Late night
in Tempe Junction on Sunday
Local time
2:19 AM
MST
Current temp
95°F
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 5 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:08AM MST until July 18 at 12:30PM MST by NWS Phoenix 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
8 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 26m 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.
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...
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 190.2
It was a journey of conquest filled with exploration, wonder - and cruelty. Inspired by tales of vast cities of gold, 339 European soldiers and over a thousand Aztec allies embarked on an epic journey...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 47.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive involves 34% highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch of highway covering 54.5 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. After the highway sections, you'll transition to more surface roads. Expect a mix of driving environments, from more open highway stretches to areas with more frequent exits and local traffic as you approach Tempe Junction.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.5 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 47.5 miles in near AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass.
Driving Effort6/10
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 229.9 miles you will encounter 16 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 47.5 miles (AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.2 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,742 ft1,164 ft
Total Climb
801 ft
Total Descent
3,610 ft
Highest Point
4,742 ft
~32.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,578 ft
Notable High Points
4,742 ft at ~32.8 miles+240 ft prominence
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 Pirtleville, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscon along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 26m. Total distance: 229.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.5 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 47.5 miles (AZ 90 / State Route 90 Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.2 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Saguaro National Park, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Coronado National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Tempe Junction, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
