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Trip from Tempe, AZ to Quartzsite, 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 30m

Distance

140.8 mi

227 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 20m ★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 24m

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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city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Tempe, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

town in La Paz County, Arizona, United States

Quartzsite, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Tempe, AZ to Quartzsite, AZ is 140.8 miles and takes about 2h 30m via Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Papago Freeway, and Red Mountain Freeway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest, traversing Arizona for its entire duration. Expect a drive that involves frequent turns and navigating local road networks, rather than a straightforward highway cruise. It's a manageable distance, making it suitable for a single-day excursion, and the fuel cost is quite reasonable for the journey.

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

70.4 miles from Tempe, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway 107.4 mi 1h 48m
Papago Freeway 21 mi 24m
Red Mountain Freeway 7.5 mi 8m
South McClintock Drive 1.4 mi 2m
West Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel 0.5 mi <1m
East Apache Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
East 12th Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway — 107.4 mi, about 1h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 80 Hist

0.2 mi · 24 sec · East Apache Boulevard
2

Turn right onto South Una Butte Avenue

321 ft · 11 sec · South Una Butte Avenue
3

Turn right

22 ft · 1 sec
4

Turn right onto South Butte Avenue

254 ft · 10 sec · South Butte Avenue
5

Turn right onto East 12th Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · East 12th Street
6

Turn left onto South McClintock Drive

1.4 mi · 2 min · South McClintock Drive
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop West
8

Merge onto AZ 202 Loop

7.5 mi · 8 min · Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Toward I 10 West Use the slight left lane.
10

Merge onto I 10

1.3 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
12

Continue on I 10

20 mi · 22 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 10

107 mi · 1 hr 48 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward Quartzsite
15

Turn right onto I 10 BUS; US 95

277 ft · 4 sec · Quartzsite Boulevard
16

Turn right onto I 10 BUS; US 95

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
17

Turn right onto Oldham Lane

41 ft · 1 sec · Oldham Lane
18

Arrive at destination

Oldham Lane

Trip Plan

Given the 2h 30m duration, this is definitely a one-day trip, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Tempe in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Quartzsite. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch is over 100 miles, and it's always wise to top off before heading into longer segments. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically to maximize your driving time and minimize unnecessary detours. Consider the $28 fuel budget as a good estimate for this particular journey.

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 70.4 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.4 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 31 miles or 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 70.4 miles or 1h 18m 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 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Quartzsite, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Tempe, 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 Tempe, AZ

This is one driving day of about 140.8 miles and 2h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Tempe, 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 Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 107.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Goodyear, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Goodyear, AZ

70 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

Goodyear, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Buckeye, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70.4 miles from Tempe, 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 107.4 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

China Red Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 30.2

Litchfield Park, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16235357599

Visit website

Rainforest Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14807529100

Visit website

Otro Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30 mile 10.1

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+16022660831

Visit website

Tempe Town Lake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Tempe, Arizona

Sundance Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 40.2

Buckeye, Arizona

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

Visit website

The Little Gym of Litchfield Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 30.2

Goodyear, Arizona

Hours: 9 am–7:30 pm

+16232505718

Visit website

Tempe Festival of the Arts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Tempe, Arizona

+14803556060

Visit website

Riverview Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14806442352

Visit website

Amusement Park Rides RandRrides(Phoenix Park & Swap)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 10.1

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: Closed

+14809958653

Visit website

Arizona Science Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 10.1

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+16027162000

Visit website

Dorrance DOME

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 10.1

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 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 0.2 and 10.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Una Butte Avenue

Turn right onto South Una Butte Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward AZ 202 Loop West

Navigation decision point

Toward AZ 202 Loop West
5
2.2 mi into trip | ~5m in | AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway

Merge onto AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
9.7 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward I 10 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 10 West
5
10.7 mi into trip | ~14m in | I 10 / Papago Freeway

Merge onto I 10 / Papago Freeway

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.05 one way

$56.10 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $29.68 $59.37
premium $5.59 $30.99 $61.99
diesel $5.61 $31.09 $62.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 49.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.2 0 $14.78 $6.76
Efficient EV 35.2 0 $12.32 $5.63
EV Truck/SUV 56.3 0 $19.71 $9.01

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 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

Tempe, AZ

Night in Tempe on Saturday

Local time

10:59 PM

MST

Current temp

93°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Quartzsite, AZ

Night in Quartzsite on Saturday

Local time

10:59 PM

MST

Current temp

84°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

9 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 30m 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 route has a "turn-heavy local drive" profile, meaning you won't be on uninterrupted freeway for the whole 140.8 miles. While 20% of the drive is on highways, the longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 107.4 miles on the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience with frequent changes in direction and speed as you transition between different road types. The journey will likely feel more like navigating through interconnected towns and local thoroughfares than a long, monotonous interstate.

Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.4 mi on Pearl Harbor Memorial 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 0.2 miles in near South Una Butte Avenue.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South Una Butte Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Quartzsite, AZ

Full guide →

Quartzsite is a former mining town in La Paz County, Arizona. In 2020, it hosted a permanent population of 2,400 people, but during the balmy winters from December to February the population explodes to well over 100,000 as RV campers descend in droves in recreational vehicles to camp on the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Lands surrounding the town. Quartzite is also well known for gem shows, which draw over a million visitors yearly.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 140.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (20%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 107.4 miles on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 0.2 miles (South Una Butte Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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