Tempe Junction, AZ to Many Farms, AZ is 312.5 miles and takes about 6h 42m via Beeline Highway and AZ 260, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Desert Southwest, crossing Arizona and offering a mostly surface road experience. Given the relatively short driving time and the nature of the roads, it's a manageable one-day trip. You'll find the route has a straightforward feel, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without extensive highway time.
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
156.3 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
68.6 mi
1h 42m
Beeline Highway
68.4 mi
1h 20m
AZ 260
53 mi
1h 11m
Purple Heart Trail
45.7 mi
45m
Heber Road
30.9 mi
36m
US Highway 191
13.4 mi
19m
US 191
5.9 mi
6m
West 3rd Street North
4.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
— 68.6 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and Many Farms, AZ.
1
Start on West 13th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 13th Street
2
Turn straight onto US 80 Hist
0.6 mi·1 min·East Apache Boulevard
3
Turn left onto South Rural Road
1.0 mi·2 min·South Rural Road
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on North Scottsdale Road
0.4 mi·59 sec·North Scottsdale Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward AZ 202 Loop East: Red Mountain Freeway
6
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
4.8 mi·5 min·Red Mountain Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 13Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, PaysonUse the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto AZ 87
0.5 mi·1 min·North Country Club Drive
9
Continue on AZ 87
4.5 mi·5 min·North Beeline Highway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Continue on AZ 87
68 mi·1 hr 20 min·Beeline Highway
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto AZ 260
53 mi·1 hr 11 min·AZ 260
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto AZ 277
1.9 mi·3 min·Highway 277
13
Continue on AZ 277
4.9 mi·6 min·West 3rd Street North
14
Turn left onto AZ 377
2.9 mi·3 min·Heber-Holbrook Highway
15
Turn straight onto AZ 377
31 mi·36 min·Heber Road
16
Turn left onto AZ 77
1.6 mi·2 min·Show Low-Holbrook Highway
17
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.5 mi·56 sec·Holbrook-Springerville Highway
18
Continue on US 180; AZ 77
0.9 mi·1 min·Navajo Boulevard
19
Take the exit onto AZ 77
0.6 mi·1 min·AZ 77
20
Merge onto I 40; AZ 77
46 mi·45 min·Purple Heart Trail
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Toward US 191 North: Ganado
22
Turn left onto US 191
38 mi·56 min·Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
23
Turn left onto US 191; SR 264
5.9 mi·6 min·US 191; SR 264
24
Enter roundabout onto US 191; SR 264
55 ft·0 sec·Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
25
Continue on US 191; SR 264
31 mi·45 min·Chambers-Mexican Water Highway
26
Continue on US 191
13 mi·19 min·US Highway 191
27
Arrive at destination
US 191
Trip Plan
Leaving Tempe Junction in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 312.5-mile drive to Many Farms. With a total duration of under 7 hours, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel. You'll encounter one designated stop, and it's wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get further into the more rural sections. The fuel cost is estimated at $62, so budgeting for at least that amount is recommended. Consider a brief stop around the 3-hour mark to stretch your legs before continuing on the Chambers-Mexican Water Highway.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 156.3 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, or about 3h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.6 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 69 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.3 miles or 3h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Many Farms, 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.
+
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 312.5 miles and 6h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 Chambers-Mexican Water Highway for about 68.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 178 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in|South Rural Road
Turn left onto South Rural Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.7 mi into trip|~6m 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.
8
7.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward AZ 87: Country Club Drive, Payson
4
81.3 mi into trip|~1h 39m in|AZ 260
Turn right onto AZ 260
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
178 mi into trip|~3h 46m in|AZ 77
Take the exit onto AZ 77
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.38 one way
$110.75 round trip
$4.50/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$59.30
$118.60
premium
$5.04
$62.03
$124.06
diesel
$4.80
$59.01
$118.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.8
1
$32.81
$15.00
Efficient EV
78.1
0
$27.34
$12.50
EV Truck/SUV
125
1
$43.75
$20.00
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Tempe Junction, AZ
Evening
in Tempe Junction on Saturday
Local time
7:50 PM
MST
Current temp
93°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ENE 5 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:22AM MST until July 17 at 1:15PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:33AM MST until July 17 at 12:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix AZ
Destination
Many Farms, AZ
Evening
in Many Farms on Saturday
Local time
8:50 PM
MDT
Current temp
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 7 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:22AM MST until July 17 at 1:15PM MST by NWS Flagstaff AZ
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:33AM MST until July 17 at 12:00PM MST by NWS Phoenix 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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
6 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
6h 42m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Petrified Forest National Park
National Park
A landscape where deep time lies fully on display, Petrified Forest National Park blends colorful badlands, vast grasslands, and one of the world’s largest and most vivid collections of petrified wood...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
$25
near mile 204.8
This canyon is home to Diné families who raise livestock, grow crops and live here. People have lived in these canyons for nearly 5,000 years, which is longer than anyone has lived continuously on the...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 301.8
Located within the northern range of the Sonoran Desert lie two cliff dwellings that were occupied from 1300-1450 CE (common era). They represent a vibrant culture consisting of local and immigrant gr...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
$10
near mile 32.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on surface roads, with highways making up only 25% of the 312.5 miles. You'll spend most of your time on local routes, including stretches of the Chambers-Mexican Water Highway. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 68.6 miles on the Chambers-Mexican Water Highway. Expect a more rural cruising experience, with fewer exits and a steadier pace compared to interstate travel.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.6 mi on Chambers-Mexican Water 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 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near South Rural Road.
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 312.5 miles you will encounter 14 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 1 miles (South Rural Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 42m. Total distance: 312.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 42m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.6 miles on Chambers-Mexican Water Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Many Farms, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (South Rural Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles (AZ 202 Loop / Red Mountain Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Petrified Forest National Park, Canyon de Chelly National Monument and Tonto National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Many Farms, AZ before the return drive.
