Spanning 163.8 miles across the Desert Southwest, this trip from Swift Trail Junction to Tempe Junction typically takes about 3 hours and 39 minutes. Given the manageable duration, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $33 for fuel to cover the distance. The route transitions through the heart of the Arizona landscape, moving from the junction area toward the urban sprawl of Tempe. Because it is a relatively straightforward drive, it offers a practical way to navigate between these two points efficiently. Plan your departure to accommodate the roughly four-hour travel time and enjoy the steady pace of this regional transit.
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
81.9 miles from Swift Trail Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East Center Street
66.5 mi
1h 21m
Phoenix–Globe Highway
42.9 mi
55m
Superstition Freeway
25.5 mi
29m
Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
7.3 mi
11m
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
4.7 mi
6m
US 60
4 mi
7m
West Thatcher Boulevard
2.3 mi
4m
East Ash Street
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
East Center Street
— 66.5 mi, about 1h 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swift Trail Junction, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.
1
Start on West Swift Trail
102 ft·6 sec·West Swift Trail
2
Turn right onto US 191
7.3 mi·11 min·Bowie Junction-Safford Highway
3
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Main Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
436 ft·16 sec·South 8th Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 70
2.3 mi·4 min·West Thatcher Boulevard
6
Continue on US 70
1.1 mi·2 min·West Main Street
7
Continue on US 70
4.7 mi·6 min·Globe-Lordsburg Highway
8
Continue on US 70
66 mi·1 hr 21 min·East Center Street
9
Continue on US 70; AZ 77
2.3 mi·4 min·East Ash Street
10
Turn right onto South Hill Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Hill Street
11
Turn left onto East Oak Street
366 ft·11 sec·East Oak Street
12
Turn right onto North Broad Street
0.5 mi·53 sec·North Broad Street
13
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
14
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
15
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·West Live Oak Street
16
Continue on US 60
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
25 mi·29 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 173Toward Mill AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
2.0 mi·4 min·South Mill Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto West 13th Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·West 13th Street
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
West 13th Street
Trip Plan
Aim to depart early in the day to make the most of your 3 hour and 39 minute travel time while traffic remains manageable. With only one scheduled stop planned, you have significant flexibility to pace yourself according to your own needs rather than a rigid itinerary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 66.5-mile stretch on East Center Street, as consistent local driving can impact your consumption. Since this is a relatively short trip, try to time your single stop to coincide with a mid-drive break to stretch your legs before hitting the Superstition Freeway. Staying mindful of the transition from local roads to highway speeds will ensure a much smoother arrival in Tempe.
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 81.9 miles from Swift Trail Junction, AZ, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.5 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 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.9 miles or 1h 48m 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 2m
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 Swift Trail Junction, 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 Swift Trail Junction, AZ
This is one driving day of about 163.8 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Swift Trail Junction, 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 East Center Street for about 66.5 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.3 and 163.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
7.3 mi into trip|~11m in|West Main Street
Turn left onto West Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
7.8 mi into trip|~13m in|South 8th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
161.3 mi into trip|~3h 34m in
Take the exit toward Mill Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 173
Toward Mill Avenue
5
161.6 mi into trip|~3h 34m in|South Mill Avenue
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
163.6 mi into trip|~3h 38m in|West 13th Street
Turn left onto West 13th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.63 one way
$65.26 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$34.53
$69.07
premium
$5.59
$36.06
$72.11
diesel
$5.61
$36.16
$72.33
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: 57.3 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
$17.20
$7.86
Efficient EV
41
0
$14.33
$6.55
EV Truck/SUV
65.5
0
$22.93
$10.48
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Swift Trail Junction, AZ
Evening
in Swift Trail Junction on Saturday
Local time
7:54 PM
MST
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tempe Junction, AZ
Evening
in Tempe Junction on Saturday
Local time
7:54 PM
MST
Current temp
90°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
36 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
3h 39m 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.
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...
21 mi from route
~54 min detour
Free
near mile 124.3
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you navigate through the Arizona terrain. The journey relies on a combination of East Center Street, the Phoenix–Globe Highway, and the Superstition Freeway to connect your start and end points. Only 18% of this trip is spent on major highways, meaning you will spend the bulk of your time on local roads. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 66.5-mile stretch along East Center Street, which serves as the backbone of your travel. Be prepared for the transition from slower-paced local maneuvers to the faster flow of the freeway as you approach Tempe Junction.
Only 18% 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: 66.5 mi on East Center Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
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 7.3 miles in near West Main Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 39m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.3 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 161.3 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 3h 39m. Total distance: 163.8 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 66.5 miles on East Center Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 7.3 miles (West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 7.8 miles (South 8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 161.3 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 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Tempe Junction, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
