Tempe, AZ to San Luis, AZ is 220.2 miles and takes about 4h 4m via Blue Star Memorial Highway, Phoenix Bypass Route, and Robert A. Vaughan Expressway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona, traversing the Desert Southwest region for its entirety. Expect a drive that's mostly on surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the landscape. It's a straightforward, single-day option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive highway cruising.
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
110.1 miles from Tempe, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway
111.9 mi
1h 54m
Phoenix Bypass Route
31.6 mi
31m
Robert A. Vaughan Expressway
20.9 mi
24m
North John Wayne Parkway
14.8 mi
18m
North Maricopa Road
11.8 mi
13m
Maricopa Freeway
6.1 mi
7m
Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway
5.6 mi
6m
East Cesar Chavez Boulevard
4.5 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Blue Star Memorial Highway
— 111.9 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe, AZ and San Luis, AZ.
1
Start on US 80 Hist
0.2 mi·27 sec·East Apache Boulevard
2
Continue on US 80 Hist
0.2 mi·37 sec·East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
2.0 mi·3 min·South McClintock Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 60 West: PhoenixUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto US 60
2.5 mi·2 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Toward I 10 East: TucsonUse the slight left / straight lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
8
Merge onto I 10
6.1 mi·7 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
2.2 mi·2 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 164Toward AZ 347 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto AZ 347
1.7 mi·2 min·West Queen Creek Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Continue on AZ 347
12 mi·13 min·North Maricopa Road
13
Continue on AZ 347
15 mi·18 min·North John Wayne Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 84
5.6 mi·6 min·Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway
Use the right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 8 West: San Diego
16
Merge onto I 8
32 mi·31 min·Phoenix Bypass Route
17
Continue on I 8
112 mi·1 hr 54 min·Blue Star Memorial Highway
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward AZ 195: Araby Road, San Luis
19
Keep slight left at fork
267 ft·7 sec
Toward AZ 195: Araby Road, San Luis
20
Enter roundabout onto AZ 195
267 ft·3 sec·South Araby Road
21
Continue on AZ 195
0.1 mi·9 sec·South Araby Road
22
Enter roundabout onto AZ 195
188 ft·2 sec·South Araby Road
23
Continue on AZ 195
0.5 mi·33 sec·South Araby Road
24
Continue on AZ 195
21 mi·24 min·Robert A. Vaughan Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on AZ 195
4.5 mi·7 min·East Cesar Chavez Boulevard
26
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
0.5 mi·54 sec·4th Avenue
27
At end of road, turn right onto Urtuzuastegui Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Urtuzuastegui Street
28
Arrive at destination
Urtuzuastegui Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 4m estimated drive time, starting in the morning from Tempe is ideal to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a short overall duration, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since the estimated cost is $46 for the 220.2 miles. Since much of this route involves surface roads, be aware of potential local traffic and speed limit changes. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 111 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you hit that segment.
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 110.1 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.9 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 48 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.1 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Luis, 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 220.2 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 111.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 193.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward US 60 West: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 60 West: Phoenix
6
5.2 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East: Tucson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
7
14.9 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward AZ 347 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 164
Toward AZ 347 South
6
43.6 mi into trip|~56m in|AZ 84 / Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 84 / Gila Bend–Casa Grande Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
193.4 mi into trip|~3h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward AZ 195: Araby Road, San Luis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward AZ 195: Araby Road, San Luis
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.02 one way
$78.04 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$41.79
$83.57
premium
$5.04
$43.71
$87.42
diesel
$4.80
$41.58
$83.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.1
0
$23.12
$10.57
Efficient EV
55.1
0
$19.27
$8.81
EV Truck/SUV
88.1
1
$30.83
$14.09
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Tempe, AZ
Late night
in Tempe on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
MST
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
WSW 5 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:59PM MST until July 18 at 4:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:57PM MST until July 18 at 3:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Destination
San Luis, AZ
Late night
in San Luis on Sunday
Local time
1:15 AM
MST
Current temp
106°F
Sunny
SSE 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:59PM MST until July 18 at 4:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:57PM MST until July 18 at 3:00PM MST by NWS Tucson AZ
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
11 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 4m 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...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 22.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 20% of this 220.2-mile route is on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 111.9 miles on the Blue Star Memorial Highway before transitioning to surface roads. This means you'll encounter a significant amount of city driving and traffic signals, particularly as you navigate through urban areas and their bypasses. Be prepared for frequent stops and starts as you move between different road types.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.9 mi on Blue Star Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 220.2 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 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Tempe is a city of 180,587 (2020) in the Greater Phoenix area of Arizona, best known as the home of Arizona State University (ASU). Its younger, student-heavy population allows it to offer a vibrant nightlife that is relatively rare in Arizona.
Top landmarks
•Tempe Butte — mountain in United States of America
•Arizona State University Art Museum — art museum in Tempe, Arizona
•Gammage Memorial Auditorium — performing arts center in Tempe, Arizona
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 4m. Total distance: 220.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.9 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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.
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 San Luis, 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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at San Luis, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
