Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Tempe Junction, AZ to Tortolita, AZ

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 52m

Distance

99.6 mi

160 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 44m ★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 47m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Tempe Junction, AZ, AZ

Tempe Junction, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Downtown Tortolita, AZ, AZ

Tortolita, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

The drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Tortolita, AZ covers 99.6 miles and takes about 1h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, West Tangerine Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 40.4 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.84 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

49.8 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway 40.4 mi 40m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway 37.8 mi 38m
West Tangerine Road 8.9 mi 14m
Maricopa Freeway 6.7 mi 7m
West Broadway Road 1.6 mi 3m
Hohokam Expressway 1.4 mi 1m
North La Cholla Boulevard 1 mi 1m
South Roosevelt Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Casa Grande-Tucson Highway — 40.4 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and Tortolita, 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

0.3 mi · 1 min · West Broadway Road
5

Turn left

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tucson Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto AZ 143

1.4 mi · 1 min · Hohokam Expressway
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 10 East: East Tucson
8

Merge onto I 10

6.7 mi · 7 min · Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 10

38 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 10

40 mi · 40 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec
Exit 240 Toward Tangerine Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn left onto West Tangerine Road

8.9 mi · 14 min · West Tangerine Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
13

Turn right onto North La Cholla Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · North La Cholla Boulevard
14

Turn right onto West Naranja Drive

0.3 mi · 36 sec · West Naranja Drive
Use the right lane.
15

Turn right onto North Gemini Drive

226 ft · 14 sec · North Gemini Drive
16

Turn left

30 ft · 1 sec
17

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 49.8 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.4 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 22 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 49.8 miles or 55m 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 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tortolita, 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 99.6 miles and 1h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 40.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Pinal County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Casa Grande, AZ

50 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Sun Lakes, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Arizona City, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.8 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Rainforest Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tempe, Arizona

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14807529100

Visit website

Rainforest Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14807529100

Visit website

Sacaton Rest Area

0 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Sacaton Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Xpress Fuel Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Pride Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

1.3 mi from route

Tempe Festival of the Arts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Tempe, Arizona

+14803556060

Visit website

Tempe Town Lake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Tempe, Arizona

Villago Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 35.6

Casa Grande, Arizona

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+15204218600

Visit website

Oro Valley Archery Range

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 99.6

Oro Valley, Arizona

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15202295050

Visit website

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+14805657081

Visit website

Amusement Park Rides RandRrides(Phoenix Park & Swap)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: Closed

+14809958653

Visit website

Riverview Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14806442352

Visit website

Tyrannostorus

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+14805974467

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 99.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
2.3 mi into trip | ~5m in

Turn left toward I 10 East: Tucson

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 10 East: Tucson
5
4 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: East Tucson

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 10 East: East Tucson
7
89 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in

Take the exit toward Tangerine Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 240 Toward Tangerine Road
6
89.4 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in | West Tangerine Road

Turn left onto West Tangerine Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
6
99.3 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | West Naranja Drive

Turn right onto West Naranja Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.84 one way

$39.68 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $21.00 $42.00
premium $5.59 $21.92 $43.85
diesel $5.61 $21.99 $43.98

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.9 0 $10.46 $4.78
Efficient EV 24.9 0 $8.71 $3.98
EV Truck/SUV 39.8 0 $13.94 $6.37

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (66% 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 19, 2026

Origin

Tempe Junction, AZ

Late night in Tempe Junction on Sunday

Local time

4:35 AM

MST

Current temp

89°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tortolita, AZ

Late night in Tortolita on Sunday

Local time

4:35 AM

MST

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live 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

33 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 52m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 41.2
View on nps.gov
Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park

National Park

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...

21 mi from route ~51 min detour $25 near mile 99.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

99.6 mi in 1h 52m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.4 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 99.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 89 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 99.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 40.4 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. 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 Tortolita, 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 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 89 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 Tortolita, AZ before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Tortolita, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

98.8 mi 1h 52m

Continue From Tortolita, AZ

Surprise, AZ 131.7 mi · 2h 30m Glendale, AZ 114.6 mi · 2h 10m Tempe, AZ 101 mi · 1h 54m Chandler, AZ 87.9 mi · 1h 44m

More from Tempe Junction, AZ

Bullhead City, AZ 232.1 mi · 4h 48m Clifton, AZ 199.3 mi · 4h 23m Tombstone, AZ 178.5 mi · 3h 21m Safford, AZ 156.6 mi · 3h 27m Whetstone, AZ 151.8 mi · 2h 42m Ajo, AZ 125.1 mi · 2h 30m

More trips to Tortolita, AZ

Deer Valley, AZ 124.3 mi Maryvale, AZ 114.5 mi Scottsdale, AZ 109.6 mi Tempe, AZ 101.4 mi Mesa, AZ 97 mi Tucson, AZ 18.4 mi
Escape planner: Tempe Junction, AZ Scenic drives in AZ

Explore more options from Tempe Junction, AZ or browse trips ending in Tortolita, AZ.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.