Spanning 230.9 miles from Tuba City to Tempe Junction, this journey through the Desert Southwest takes approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $46 on fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will navigate a combination of the Arizona Veterans Highway, the Flagstaff-Cameron Highway, and the Black Canyon Freeway to reach your destination. This route is best suited for travelers looking for a straightforward, efficient transit between northern and central Arizona, keeping the logistics simple and the pacing consistent.
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
115.4 miles from Tuba City, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Tuba City, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.
1
Start on Cedar Avenue
16 ft·3 sec·Cedar Avenue
2
Turn right onto N1017
1.3 mi·2 min·Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 160
10 mi·11 min·Navajo Trail
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 89
14 mi·16 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
5
Continue on US 89
0.3 mi·26 sec·US 89
6
Continue on US 89
1.4 mi·2 min·Cameron-Bitter Springs Highway
7
Enter roundabout onto US 89
154 ft·2 sec·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
8
Continue on US 89
38 mi·44 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
9
Continue on US 89
6.4 mi·8 min·US Highway 89
10
Continue on US 89
2.3 mi·4 min·Flagstaff-Cameron Highway
11
Turn left onto Country Club Drive
0.3 mi·51 sec·Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 40
4.7 mi·5 min·Purple Heart Trail
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
16
Merge onto I 17; AZ 89A
93 mi·1 hr 33 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
17
Continue on I 17
5.8 mi·5 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 17
10 mi·10 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on I 17
3.2 mi·3 min·North Black Canyon Highway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Continue on I 17
28 mi·32 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 17; US 60
7.1 mi·8 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 153Toward AZ 143: 48th Street, Broadway RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
501 ft·12 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
0.1 mi·16 sec·Maricopa Freeway
26
Turn left onto East Broadway Road
1.6 mi·3 min·East Broadway Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Roosevelt Street
Use the left lane.
28
At end of road, turn right onto West 13th Street
0.3 mi·47 sec·West 13th Street
29
Arrive at destination
West 13th Street
Trip Plan
Planning your departure for the early morning is your best bet to maintain a steady pace across the 4 hours and 20 minutes of travel time. Since this route is designed as a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to make one dedicated stop to stretch your legs or refuel without feeling rushed. Keep your $46 fuel budget in mind when planning your fill-ups, as availability can fluctuate along the different highway segments. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, prioritize steady speeds and defensive driving during the non-freeway portions of your trek. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor your fuel levels before starting the 93-mile stretch on the Arizona Veterans Highway to ensure you have enough range to cover the most isolated part of your journey.
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 115.4 miles from Tuba City, AZ, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93 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 51 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.4 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tempe Junction, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tuba City, 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 Tuba City, AZ
This is one driving day of about 230.9 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Tuba City, 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 93 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 74.1 and 228.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
74.1 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
79.3 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
8
227.9 mi into trip|~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward AZ 143: 48th Street, Broadway Road
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 153
Toward AZ 143: 48th Street, Broadway Road
7
228.1 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
228.3 mi into trip|~4h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.00 one way
$92.00 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$48.68
$97.36
premium
$5.59
$50.83
$101.65
diesel
$5.61
$50.98
$101.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.3
0
$24.24
$11.08
Efficient EV
57.7
0
$20.20
$9.24
EV Truck/SUV
92.4
1
$32.33
$14.78
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Tuba City, AZ
Night
in Tuba City on Saturday
Local time
10:46 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tempe Junction, AZ
Night
in Tempe Junction on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
MST
Current temp
89°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
47 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
4h 20m 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
$10
near mile 127.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a turn-heavy local drive profile that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. While about 23% of your journey consists of highway driving, the experience is far from a monotonous interstate grind. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 93 miles while navigating the Arizona Veterans Highway, which serves as the primary backbone of your trip. As you transition between the various state highways and the Black Canyon Freeway, the character of the road shifts from regional connectors to more structured freeway travel. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires your full attention as you navigate the varying road types throughout the 230.9-mile span.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93 mi on Arizona Veterans Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 74.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 230.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 74.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,871 ft1,084 ft
Total Climb
3,678 ft
Total Descent
7,476 ft
Highest Point
6,871 ft
~77 mi in
Elevation Range
5,788 ft
Notable High Points
6,871 ft at ~77 miles+41 ft prominence
4,391 ft at ~144.3 miles+636 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tuba City, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ, road signs point toward Flagstaff and Phoenix.
Flagstaff
79.2 mi in|~1h 38m
Phoenix
79.3 mi in|~1h 38m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 230.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93 miles on Arizona Veterans Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Tempe Junction, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 74.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Montezuma Castle National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and Walnut Canyon National Monument (5 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Tempe Junction, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
