Origin
Saint David, AZ
Night in Saint David on Saturday
Local time
11:01 PM
MST
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint David, AZ to Tempe, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 59m
Distance
163.6 mi
263 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 48m
★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint David, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Tempe, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on this 163.6-mile journey from Saint David to Tempe, Arizona, will take approximately 2 hours and 59 minutes of driving time. This route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. Expect to spend around $33 on fuel for this drive, which primarily utilizes the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway and I-10 Business. The majority of this drive, about 39% of it, is on highways, offering a mixed driving experience. Both your origin and destination are situated within the Desert Southwest region, so the landscape will remain consistent throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
81.8 miles from Saint David, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.5 mi | 55m |
| I 10 Bus | 43.6 mi | 46m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 38.1 mi | 38m |
| South Freeway | 6 mi | 6m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| State Route 80 | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| Superstition Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| South McClintock Drive | 2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint David, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
South Lee Street
2
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Patton Street
3
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
State Route 80
4
Turn left
63 ft
·
2 sec
5
Turn right onto I 10 Bus
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East 4th Street
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
44 mi
·
46 min
·
I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 10 West: Tucson
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa Globe
14
Merge onto US 60
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 175
Toward McClintock Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South McClintock Drive
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
137 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2 hour and 59 minute duration, this is a straightforward day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures and allow ample time for your destination. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 50 miles. A practical tip for this route is to ensure you have enough fuel before leaving Saint David, as services might be less frequent on the initial portions of the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 81.8 miles from Saint David, AZ, or about 1h 31m 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 36 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.8 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 24m
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 Saint David, 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 Saint David, AZ
This is one driving day of about 163.6 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Saint David, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.8 miles from Saint David, 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 9.2 and 161.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
9.2 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist toward I 10 West: Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tucson
6
62.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m 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
157.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
6
158 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 60 East: Mesa Globe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa Globe
7
161.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward McClintock Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 175
Toward McClintock Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.59 one way
$65.18 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $34.49 | $68.98 |
| premium | $5.59 | $36.01 | $72.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.12 | $72.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.18 | $7.85 |
| Efficient EV | 40.9 | 0 | $14.31 | $6.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.4 | 0 | $22.90 | $10.47 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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
Night in Tempe on Saturday
Local time
11:01 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Unavailable
Live 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
49 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 59m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed bag of road types, with 39% of the total mileage on highways. You'll experience stretches on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, including one continuous segment of 54.5 miles. The route also incorporates parts of I-10 Business and the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, suggesting a blend of faster-paced highway driving and potentially some more local road sections. The character of the drive shifts as you progress, moving from the more rural areas around Saint David towards the more urban environment of Tempe.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 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?
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 9.2 miles in near I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist.
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 9 significant decision points across 163.6 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 9.2 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.6 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 163.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (39%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
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.
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 9.2 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.6 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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