If you are planning a trip from Tempe Junction to Tucson, you are looking at a straightforward 112-mile journey through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 49 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will navigate a path primarily utilizing South Roosevelt Street and West Broadway Road before transitioning onto I-10 East. Budget approximately $22 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Because both the origin and destination are located within the same desert region, the climate and environment remain consistent throughout your travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.3 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi
55m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
37.8 mi
38m
Maricopa Freeway
6.7 mi
7m
North Freeway
3.6 mi
4m
West Broadway Boulevard
2.9 mi
6m
West Broadway Road
1.6 mi
3m
Hohokam Expressway
1.4 mi
1m
South Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and Tucson, 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: TucsonUse 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
55 mi·55 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
3.6 mi·4 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 258Toward Congress Street, Broadway BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto North Freeway Road
159 ft·4 sec·North Freeway Road
14
Turn left onto West Congress Street
0.3 mi·56 sec·West Congress Street
15
Continue on West Broadway Boulevard
2.9 mi·6 min·West Broadway Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn left onto North Country Club Road
131 ft·8 sec·North Country Club Road
17
Arrive at destination
North Country Club Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Keep in mind that the route involves several turns, so it is wise to have your navigation ready before leaving Tempe Junction to ensure a smooth transition onto I-10 East. While you don't need to plan for overnight stops, checking your fuel levels before departure is a smart move to keep your $22 budget on track. Because there are no formal stops listed, consider packing your own water and snacks to stay comfortable during the 1 hour and 49 minute transit. Staying alert for changing road conditions on the local streets will make your trip to Tucson much more manageable.
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 55.3 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 24 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.3 miles or 1h 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tucson, 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 110.6 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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 54.6 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 106.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|South Roosevelt Street
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
Navigation decision point
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
5
4.2 mi into trip|~7m in|I 10 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
106.9 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 258
Toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.03 one way
$44.07 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$23.32
$46.63
premium
$5.59
$24.35
$48.69
diesel
$5.61
$24.42
$48.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.2
0
$11.61
$5.31
Efficient EV
27.7
0
$9.68
$4.42
EV Truck/SUV
44.2
0
$15.48
$7.08
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% 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 21, 2026
Origin
Tempe Junction, AZ
Late night
in Tempe Junction on Tuesday
Local time
2:03 AM
MST
Current temp
67°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Tucson, AZ
Late night
in Tucson on Tuesday
Local time
2:03 AM
MST
Current temp
83°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
16 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 2m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
$25
near mile 110.6
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
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
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 41.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 112-mile route functions as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a standard highway cruise. You will spend your time navigating through local streets and arterial roads, as the highway share for this specific itinerary is 0%. Because of the layout, you should be prepared for a more engaged driving experience compared to a monotonous interstate trek. The path requires your full attention as you transition between local roads, providing a distinct feel that differs from typical high-speed travel. Without any designated stops, the journey remains a direct and focused transit between these two Arizona hubs.
Only 11% 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: 54.6 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near South Roosevelt Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 110.6 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.3 miles (South Roosevelt Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Tucson (TOO-sawn), also known as the "Old Pueblo", is the second-largest city in the state of Arizona and the county seat of Pima County in the Sonoran Desert. It is at a higher elevation than nearby Phoenix and is correspondingly cooler. Although with half a million residents it is smaller than the capital city, its cultural life is just as vibrant.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 110.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (11%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.6 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (South Roosevelt Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tucson, AZ before heading back.
