If you are planning a quick getaway from Tempe Junction to Globe, you are looking at a manageable 78.9-mile journey through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 45 minutes on the road, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate the Superstition Freeway and US 60, eventually transitioning onto the Phoenix–Globe Highway. Budget approximately $16 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Arizona points. Since the drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to explore at your own pace without the fatigue of a long-haul trek.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.5 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi
55m
Superstition Freeway
25.3 mi
29m
US 60
4 mi
7m
North Broad Street
2.1 mi
4m
South Mill Avenue
2 mi
4m
Live Oak Street
1.9 mi
3m
West 13th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
West Cottonwood Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Phoenix–Globe Highway
— 43 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and Globe, AZ.
1
Start on West 13th Street
0.2 mi·41 sec·West 13th Street
2
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
2.0 mi·4 min·South Mill Avenue
3
Turn left
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward US 60 East: MesaUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 60
25 mi·29 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on US 60; US 80 Hist
43 mi·55 min·Phoenix–Globe Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Continue on US 60
1.9 mi·3 min·Live Oak Street
7
Continue on US 60
4.0 mi·7 min·US 60
8
Continue on US 60
1.4 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
9
Turn left onto North Broad Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto West Cottonwood Street
44 ft·1 sec·West Cottonwood Street
11
Arrive at destination
West Cottonwood Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a compact 78.9-mile route, you can easily complete the drive in a single day without needing to plan for intermediate stops. To make the most of your 1 hour and 45-minute travel time, consider departing in the morning to avoid peak traffic patterns on the Superstition Freeway. Since your fuel cost is estimated at $16, topping off your tank before leaving Tempe Junction is a smart way to ensure a smooth, worry-free transit. Focus on maintaining a steady pace during the 43-mile stretch on the Phoenix–Globe Highway to stay on schedule. The lack of mandatory stops provides you with the freedom to adjust your departure time based on your personal comfort and itinerary.
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 39.5 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.5 miles or 49m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Globe, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tempe Junction, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tempe Junction, AZ
This is one driving day of about 78.9 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Phoenix–Globe Highway for about 43 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 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 78.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|South Mill Avenue
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
2.3 mi into trip|~4m in
Turn left toward US 60 East: Mesa
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 60 East: Mesa
5
2.6 mi into trip|~5m in|US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge onto US 60 / Superstition Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
78.3 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
3
78.9 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|West Cottonwood Street
Turn right onto West Cottonwood Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.72 one way
$31.44 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$16.63
$33.27
premium
$5.59
$17.37
$34.73
diesel
$5.61
$17.42
$34.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.7
0
$8.28
$3.79
Efficient EV
19.7
0
$6.90
$3.16
EV Truck/SUV
31.6
0
$11.05
$5.05
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tempe Junction, AZ
Night
in Tempe Junction on Saturday
Local time
9:17 PM
MST
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Globe, AZ
Night
in Globe on Saturday
Local time
9:17 PM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
87°F
Superior, AZ
39 mi in
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
37 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 45m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, shifting from urban freeway speeds to more focused highway travel. With a 37% highway share, you will spend a portion of your time on the Superstition Freeway before settling into the Phoenix–Globe Highway. Be prepared for a significant 43-mile uninterrupted stretch on the latter, which serves as the core of your journey. The transition between these road types creates a dynamic experience, moving you steadily through the regional landscape. Expect a straightforward drive that balances efficiency with the practical realities of navigating major Arizona transit corridors.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43 mi on Phoenix–Globe Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South Mill Avenue.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Globe, AZ is easy. At 1h 45m with 37% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (South Mill Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (US 60 / Superstition Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Globe is in the Mogollon Rim in Eastern Arizona. Globe was founded in 1875 as a mining town, and still is dependent on mining. The town has many well-preserved buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and can make a pleasant stop.
The longest stretch is about 43 miles on Phoenix–Globe Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Mill Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (US 60 / Superstition 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 Globe, AZ before heading back.
