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Trip from Salome, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 21m

Distance

126.7 mi

204 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 11m ★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 15m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Salome, AZ, AZ

Salome, AZ

cottonbro studio

Downtown Tempe Junction, AZ, AZ

Tempe Junction, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

This 126.7-mile drive from Salome, AZ, to Tempe Junction, AZ, will take you about 2 hours and 21 minutes. It's a straightforward, single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. Expect to spend around $25 on fuel for this journey. The route primarily utilizes the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway and the Papago Freeway, offering a fairly direct path through the Desert Southwest region of Arizona. This drive is characterized by its frequent turns, making it more of a local road experience than a high-speed interstate cruise.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

63.3 miles from Salome, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway 79.4 mi 1h 20m
Papago Freeway 21.2 mi 24m
Quartzsite–Wickenburg Highway 10.3 mi 12m
Vicksburg Road 6.2 mi 8m
Red Mountain Freeway 5.4 mi 6m
West University Drive 1 mi 1m
South Priest Drive 0.5 mi 1m
North Priest Drive 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway — 79.4 mi, about 1h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salome, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.

1

Start on US 60

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Avenue A
2

Continue on US 60

10 mi · 12 min · Quartzsite–Wickenburg Highway
3

Enter roundabout onto Vicksburg Road

208 ft · 2 sec · Vicksburg Road
4

Continue on Vicksburg Road

6.2 mi · 8 min · Vicksburg Road
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 57 sec
6

Merge onto I 10

79 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 10

20 mi · 22 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
9

Continue on I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.1 mi · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147 Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East
12

Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

4.9 mi · 5 min · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 6 Toward Priest Drive, Center Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on Red Mountain Freeeway

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Red Mountain Freeeway
Toward Center Parkway, Priest Drive
15

Turn right onto North Priest Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Priest Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Continue on South Priest Drive

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Priest Drive
Use the left lane.
17

Turn left onto West University Drive

1.0 mi · 1 min · West University Drive
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto South Farmer Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Farmer Avenue
19

At end of road, turn left onto West 13th Street

236 ft · 8 sec · West 13th Street
20

Arrive at destination

West 13th Street

Trip Plan

Consider departing in the morning to make the most of daylight hours, especially given the frequent turns which can be more manageable with good visibility. With a total duration of just over two hours, this route is easily accomplished in one day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25. A specific tip for this drive: pay close attention to signage as you transition between the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway and the Papago Freeway, as the turn-heavy nature of this route demands constant awareness.

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 63.3 miles from Salome, AZ, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.4 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 28 miles or 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 63.3 miles or 1h 8m 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 50m

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 Salome, 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 Salome, AZ

This is one driving day of about 126.7 miles and 2h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Salome, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 79.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Buckeye, AZ

63 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

First break window

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Buckeye, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63.3 miles from Salome, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.4 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.

The Little Gym of Litchfield Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Goodyear, Arizona

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+16232505718

Visit website

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 website

Tempe Town Lake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Tempe, Arizona

Arizona Science Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+16027162000

Visit website

Dorrance DOME

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

Enchanted Island Amusement Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+16022541200

Visit website

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 website

Sundance Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Buckeye, Arizona

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 17.2 and 123.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
17.2 mi into trip | ~22m in | I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
118.3 mi into trip | ~2h 7m 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
6
118.4 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East
8
118.8 mi into trip | ~2h 8m 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
8
123.7 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Take the exit toward Priest Drive, Center Parkway

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 6 Toward Priest Drive, Center Parkway

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.24 one way

$50.48 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $26.71 $53.42
premium $5.59 $27.89 $55.78
diesel $5.61 $27.97 $55.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38 0 $13.30 $6.08
Efficient EV 31.7 0 $11.09 $5.07
EV Truck/SUV 50.7 0 $17.74 $8.11

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Salome, AZ

Late night in Salome on Tuesday

Local time

2:47 AM

MST

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tempe Junction, AZ

Late night in Tempe Junction on Tuesday

Local time

2:47 AM

MST

Current temp

62°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

15 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 21m 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?

The drive has a "Turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you'll encounter numerous turns and changes in direction. While 21% of the route is on highways, much of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 79.4 miles on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before transitioning back to more varied road conditions. This route is not a monotonous highway grind; instead, it requires your attention with frequent adjustments and navigation.

Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.4 mi on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17.2 miles in near I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway.

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 126.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 17.2 miles (I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.3 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.4 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 126.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 79.4 miles on Pearl Harbor Memorial 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 17.2 miles (I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.3 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.4 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tempe Junction, 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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