Springerville, AZ to Tempe, AZ is 210.1 miles and takes about 4h 21m via Globe-Show Low Highway and Main Street, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day drive will take you across the Desert Southwest within Arizona. Expect a turn-heavy local drive, so it's not a route for simply cruising. It's a relatively short trip, making it a convenient option for a single-day transit between these two points in Arizona.
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
105.1 miles from Springerville, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Springerville, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on this road
166 ft·17 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 60; US 180; US 191
44 mi·50 min·Main Street
3
Continue on US 60
4.7 mi·9 min·East Deuce of Clubs
4
Continue on US 60; AZ 77
83 mi·1 hr 35 min·Globe-Show Low Highway
5
Turn right onto US 60
1.1 mi·2 min·East Ash Street
6
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Hill Street
7
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·11 sec·East Oak Street
8
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·North Broad Street
9
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
10
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
11
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·West Live Oak Street
12
Continue on US 60
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
22 mi·25 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.6 mi·2 min
Exit 176BToward AZ 101 Loop NorthUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
0.3 mi·23 sec·Price Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 53Toward Broadway Road, Apache BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto South Price Road
302 ft·7 sec·South Price Road
18
Turn left onto East Broadway Road
1.1 mi·2 min·East Broadway Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
0.5 mi·57 sec·South McClintock Drive
20
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
137 ft·10 sec·East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 21m estimated duration and the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, starting your journey in Springerville, AZ, earlier in the day is advisable to maximize daylight. While only one stop is indicated, it's wise to take breaks as needed, especially during the 83.5-mile stretch on Globe-Show Low Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $42 estimated cost suggests a full tank is necessary for this 210.1-mile trip across the Desert Southwest. Since it's a single-day drive, you have flexibility, but planning for potential delays due to the numerous turns is a good idea.
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 105.1 miles from Springerville, AZ, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.5 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 46 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.1 miles or 2h 5m 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 34m
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 Springerville, 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 Springerville, AZ
This is one driving day of about 210.1 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Springerville, 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 Globe-Show Low Highway for about 83.5 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 133.4 and 208.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
133.4 mi into trip|~2h 39m in|East Oak Street
Turn left onto East Oak Street
Navigation decision point
4
133.4 mi into trip|~2h 39m in|North Broad Street
Turn right onto North Broad Street
Navigation decision point
7
206 mi into trip|~4h 14m 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
208 mi into trip|~4h 17m 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
4
208.5 mi into trip|~4h 18m in|East Broadway Road
Turn left onto East Broadway Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.85 one way
$83.71 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$44.29
$88.59
premium
$5.59
$46.25
$92.49
diesel
$5.61
$46.39
$92.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63
0
$22.06
$10.08
Efficient EV
52.5
0
$18.38
$8.40
EV Truck/SUV
84
1
$29.41
$13.45
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 15, 2026
Origin
Springerville, AZ
Evening
in Springerville on Saturday
Local time
7:44 PM
MST
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Evening
in Tempe on Saturday
Local time
7:44 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
56 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 21m 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.
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 173.9
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...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
$10
near mile 144.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting a dynamic driving experience rather than a straightforward highway journey. With only a 12% highway share, you'll encounter more local roads and intersections. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 83.5 miles on the Globe-Show Low Highway, offering a segment of more consistent travel before you navigate the remaining turns. Be prepared for frequent adjustments to your speed and direction throughout this 4h 21m drive.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.5 mi on Globe-Show Low Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 133.4 miles in near East Oak Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 21m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 133.4 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 133.4 miles (North Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 206 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 4h 21m. Total distance: 210.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.5 miles on Globe-Show Low Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 133.4 miles (East Oak Street): Navigation decision point; at 133.4 miles (North Broad Street): Navigation decision point; at 206 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Tonto National Monument. 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 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Tempe, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
