Origin
Whetstone, AZ
Evening in Whetstone on Saturday
Local time
7:47 PM
MST
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Whetstone, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 44m
Distance
151.4 mi
244 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 33m
★
6 AM
2h 44m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 52m
12 PM
2h 50m
3 PM
2h 53m
5 PM
3h 5m
8 PM
2h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Whetstone, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Whetstone to Tempe Junction, expect a straightforward 151.4-mile journey across the Desert Southwest. You should budget approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes of drive time, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $30, it is an affordable route that connects two familiar points within Arizona. Since the entire trip takes place within the same regional climate, you will not need to worry about major weather shifts or altitude changes. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route is simple enough to tackle in one go without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.7 miles from Whetstone, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.5 mi | 55m |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 41.4 mi | 43m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 38.1 mi | 38m |
| South Freeway | 6 mi | 6m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| South Priest Drive | 2 mi | 4m |
| West Broadway Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South State Highway 90 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Whetstone, AZ and Tempe Junction, AZ.
1
Start on West Casa del Rio Drive
0.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Casa del Rio Drive
2
Continue on West Casa del Rio Drive
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
West Casa del Rio Drive
3
Turn right onto AZ 90
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South State Highway 90
4
Turn left
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
5
Merge onto I 10
41 mi
·
43 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 155
Toward Baseline Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto West Baseline Road
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
West Baseline Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto South Priest Drive
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Priest Drive
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Road
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Roosevelt Street
Use the left lane.
16
At end of road, turn right onto West 13th Street
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
West 13th Street
17
Arrive at destination
West 13th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 151.4-mile drive, plan for at least one stop to break up the technical nature of the local roads. Since the trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though checking traffic conditions on the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway is always a smart move. Keep your $30 fuel budget in mind as you plan your departure, and try to fill up before hitting the longer, 54.5-mile stretches to avoid unnecessary delays. Because this route involves more turns than a standard interstate, maintain a steady pace to ensure a comfortable trip for all passengers. Prioritize hydration and rest, as the Desert Southwest climate can be draining even on shorter drives.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.7 miles from Whetstone, AZ, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 33 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.7 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 11m
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 Whetstone, 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 Whetstone, AZ
This is one driving day of about 151.4 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Whetstone, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.7 miles from Whetstone, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 149.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Turn left toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
6
52.6 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
147.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward Baseline Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 155
Toward Baseline Road
6
147.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
|
South Priest Drive
Turn left onto South Priest Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
149.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
|
West Broadway Road
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.16 one way
$60.32 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $31.92 | $63.84 |
| premium | $5.59 | $33.33 | $66.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.43 | $66.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.90 | $7.27 |
| Efficient EV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.25 | $6.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.20 | $9.69 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Tempe Junction, AZ
Evening in Tempe Junction on Saturday
Local time
7:47 PM
MST
Current temp
90°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
12 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 44m 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.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 31.3
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
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
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 109.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This 151.4-mile trek is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise. You will spend roughly 8% of your time on highways, relying on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, the Tucson-Benson Highway, and the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway to navigate between points. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 54.5-mile segment on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, which provides a brief reprieve from the more frequent turns. Be prepared for a varied pace, as the road transitions through different local segments that require more focus than a typical interstate corridor. Expect a tactile driving experience that keeps you engaged throughout the 2-hour and 44-minute duration.
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: 54.5 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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 151.4 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.6 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.3 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 2h 44m. Total distance: 151.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (8%). 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 54.5 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 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 52.6 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Saguaro National Park and Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tempe Junction, 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
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tempe Junction, AZ
More from Whetstone, AZ
More trips to Tempe Junction, AZ
Explore more options from Whetstone, AZ or browse trips ending in Tempe Junction, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.