Tempe, AZ to Wickenburg, AZ is 71.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 33 minutes via Grand Avenue, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest, moving you from one part of Arizona to another. Expect a mix of urban and rural scenery as you make your way northwest. With a drive time under two hours and a low fuel cost, this is a straightforward option for a quick travel day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.9 miles from Tempe, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Grand Avenue
27.4 mi
37m
Papago Freeway
11.8 mi
13m
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
9 mi
10m
Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi
10m
Red Mountain Freeway
7.5 mi
8m
East Wickenburg Way
1.7 mi
3m
South McClintock Drive
1.4 mi
2m
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Grand Avenue
— 27.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe, AZ and Wickenburg, 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 WestUse 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
10 mi·12 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 133BToward AZ 101 Loop NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
8.8 mi·10 min·Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 11Toward US 60Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto US 60
20 mi·28 min·Grand Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
159 ft·3 sec·Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
18
Continue on US 60
0.9 mi·1 min·Grand Avenue
19
Continue on US 60
0.2 mi·15 sec·Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
20
Continue on US 60
0.1 mi·8 sec·Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
21
Continue on US 60
6.3 mi·7 min·Grand Avenue
22
Continue on US 60
0.5 mi·31 sec·Phoenix-Wickenburg Highway
23
Continue on US 60
8.7 mi·10 min·Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
24
Continue on US 60
1.5 mi·2 min·East Wickenburg Way
25
Enter roundabout onto US 60
201 ft·8 sec·East Wickenburg Way
26
Continue on US 60
0.2 mi·22 sec·East Wickenburg Way
27
Turn left onto South Tegner Street
157 ft·6 sec·South Tegner Street
28
Arrive at destination
South Tegner Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour and 33 minutes, this is an easy same-day trip. You can afford to leave a bit later in the morning, perhaps after avoiding the peak rush hour traffic leaving the Tempe area. Since there are no designated stops in the data, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $15 for the 71.7 miles, and plan your final fill-up accordingly before you leave Tempe to ensure a smooth arrival in Wickenburg.
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 35.9 miles from Tempe, AZ, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.4 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.9 miles or 45m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wickenburg, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tempe, AZ
This is one driving day of about 71.7 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Tempe, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Grand Avenue for about 27.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 32.7 — 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
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
7
23 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward AZ 101 Loop North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 133B
Toward AZ 101 Loop North
7
32.7 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward US 60
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 11
Toward US 60
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.64 one way
$29.28 round trip
$5.19/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$15.58
$31.15
premium
$5.72
$16.14
$32.29
diesel
$5.35
$15.10
$30.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.5
0
$7.53
$3.44
Efficient EV
17.9
0
$6.27
$2.87
EV Truck/SUV
28.7
0
$10.04
$4.59
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Tempe, AZ
Afternoon
in Tempe on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
MST
Current temp
104°F
Sunny
W 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Wickenburg, AZ
Afternoon
in Wickenburg on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
MST
Current temp
99°F
Sunny
WSW 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
5 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
1h 33m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 71.7-mile route is 39% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on freeways before transitioning to surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a surface road is 27.4 miles on Grand Avenue. You'll likely notice the shift from urban merging and freeway driving to more open, rural cruising as you head toward Wickenburg.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.4 mi on Grand Avenue.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South Una Butte Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.2 miles (South Una Butte Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.7 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
Sun City is a suburb 20 miles (30km) northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was built as a planned retirement community in Maricopa County in the 1960s. An adjacent retirement community Sun City West was built in the late 1970s; there is also a Sun City Grand. Directly northwest of the three "Sun City" suburbs is Surprise, Arizona.
Top landmarks
•Santa Fe Railroad Depot — historic train station in Wickenburg, Arizona, USA
•Wickenburg High School — high school in Wickenburg, Arizona
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 71.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (39%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.4 miles on Grand Avenue. 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 Wickenburg, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wickenburg, AZ before heading back.
