Tempe Junction, AZ to First Mesa, AZ is 281.8 miles and takes about 5h 6m via Arizona Veterans Highway and Purple Heart Trail, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest region, offering a consistent, arid landscape throughout. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a straightforward option for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Consider this route if you appreciate open desert scenery and a direct path to your destination.
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
140.9 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and First Mesa, AZ.
1
Start on West 13th Street
0.3 mi·55 sec·West 13th Street
2
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Roosevelt Street
3
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
1.3 mi·2 min·West Broadway Road
4
Continue on West Broadway Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Broadway Road
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
6
Merge onto I 10; US 60
3.1 mi·3 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
4.2 mi·4 min·Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: FlagstaffUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 17; US 60
41 mi·45 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
77 mi·1 hr 17 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
12
Continue on I 17; AZ 89A
0.6 mi·43 sec·Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
14
Merge onto I 40
61 mi·1 hr 2 min·Purple Heart Trail
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward AZ 87 North: Second Mesa
16
Turn left onto AZ 87; US 66 Hist
39 mi·45 min·Winslow–Kayenta Highway
17
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi·4 min·AZ 87
18
Continue on AZ 87
17 mi·19 min·Winslow–Kayenta Highway
19
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 264
7.7 mi·9 min·Arizona State Highway 264
20
Turn left
247 ft·14 sec
21
At end of road, turn left
286 ft·13 sec
22
Turn right
0.2 mi·45 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 5-hour drive, you can leave Tempe Junction in the morning and arrive at First Mesa by early afternoon. The longest stretch without services is 90.6 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially as the overall fuel cost is estimated at $59. While there's only one recommended stop, the flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your pace as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you move away from major towns.
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 140.9 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 62 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.9 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near First Mesa, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Tempe 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 Tempe Junction, AZ
This is one driving day of about 281.8 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Tempe 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 Arizona Veterans Highway for about 90.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 281.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.8 mi into trip|~6m in|I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
5.9 mi into trip|~9m in|US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
5
151.5 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 40 East, Albuquerque
5
273.8 mi into trip|~4h 55m in|AZ 264 / Arizona State Highway 264
At end of road, turn right onto AZ 264 / Arizona State Highway 264
Navigation decision point
5
281.5 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
At end of road, turn left
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.55 one way
$115.09 round trip
$5.19/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.52
$61.22
$122.44
premium
$5.72
$63.45
$126.90
diesel
$5.35
$59.36
$118.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.5
1
$29.59
$13.53
Efficient EV
70.5
0
$24.66
$11.27
EV Truck/SUV
112.7
1
$39.45
$18.04
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 1, 2026
Origin
Tempe Junction, AZ
Afternoon
in Tempe Junction on Wednesday
Local time
12:11 PM
MST
Current temp
72°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
First Mesa, AZ
Afternoon
in First Mesa on Wednesday
Local time
12:11 PM
MST
Current temp
47°F
Clear
SE 6 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
25 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
5h 6m 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.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
National Monument
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have lived and traveled throughout Walnut Canyon’s dynamic landscape. Vibrant communities built their homes in the cliffs and farmed along the canyon’s rim. T...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
$25
near mile 165.2
The lava flow lies on the land like a dream, a wonderland of rock. A thousand years ago the ground was torn open and lava erupted into the sky, forever changing the landscape and the lives of the peop...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$25
near mile 165.2
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
$10
near mile 106.9
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler an...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$25
near mile 165.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with only 21% on highways. You'll encounter your longest stretch without a highway exit at 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. Expect a rural cruising experience for the majority of this drive, transitioning from highway to surface roads as you progress toward First Mesa.
Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.6 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 281.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 2.8 miles (I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,718 ft1,164 ft
Total Climb
6,939 ft
Total Descent
2,326 ft
Highest Point
6,718 ft
~140.9 mi in
Elevation Range
5,554 ft
Notable High Points
3,797 ft at ~80.5 miles+642 ft prominence
6,718 ft at ~140.9 miles+50 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to First Mesa, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Albuquerque along the way.
Albuquerque
151.5 mi in|~2h 41m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 281.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.6 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 First Mesa, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at First Mesa, AZ before the return drive.
