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Trip from Wickenburg, AZ to Tempe, AZ

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 33m

Distance

71.4 mi

115 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 26m ★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 37m
3 PM
1h 39m
5 PM
1h 47m
8 PM
1h 29m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Wickenburg, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Tempe, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 71.4-mile drive from Wickenburg, AZ, to Tempe, AZ, is a manageable 1-hour and 33-minute journey, making it an excellent option for a single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate Grand Avenue, the Papago Freeway, and the Agua Fria Freeway, with 41% of the route on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, and with no recommended stops, you can complete this trip efficiently. This route offers a mixed driving experience within the Desert Southwest, connecting two points within Arizona without significant regional changes. It's a straightforward trip for those looking for a direct path between these two locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

35.7 miles from Wickenburg, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Grand Avenue 26.6 mi 36m
Papago Freeway 11.9 mi 13m
Agua Fria Freeway 8.9 mi 10m
Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway 8.7 mi 10m
Red Mountain Freeway 8.3 mi 10m
East Wickenburg Way 1.7 mi 3m
Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway 1.7 mi 1m
South McClintock Drive 1.5 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Grand Avenue — 26.6 mi, about 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wickenburg, AZ and Tempe, AZ.

1

Start on South Tegner Street

157 ft · 12 sec · South Tegner Street
2

Turn right onto US 60

0.2 mi · 14 sec · East Wickenburg Way
3

Enter roundabout onto US 60

3 ft · 0 sec · East Wickenburg Way
4

Continue on US 60

1.5 mi · 2 min · East Wickenburg Way
5

Continue on US 60

8.7 mi · 10 min · Phoenix–Wickenburg Highway
6

Continue on US 60

5.2 mi · 5 min · Grand Avenue
Use the right lane.
7

Continue on US 60

1.7 mi · 1 min · Wickenburg–Phoenix Highway
8

Continue on US 60

1.1 mi · 1 min · Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto US 60

20 mi · 29 min · Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward AZ 101 Loop South
11

Merge onto AZ 101 Loop

8.9 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 1B Toward I 10 East: Phoenix Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 10

10 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
15

Continue on I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.1 mi · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147 Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East
18

Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway

7.9 mi · 9 min · Red Mountain Freeway
Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Exit 8 Toward McClintock Drive Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn right onto South McClintock Drive

1.5 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive
Use the right lane.
21

Turn right onto US 80 Hist

60 ft · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
Use the right lane.
22

Arrive at destination

US 80 Hist

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 33 minutes, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart Wickenburg at your leisure, perhaps after enjoying a morning in the Desert Southwest. The estimated fuel cost of $14 makes budgeting straightforward. Since there are no mandatory stops suggested, you can easily complete this drive in one go, but don't hesitate to pull over if you need a break. A practical tip for this route is to be mindful of traffic conditions as you approach the Phoenix metropolitan area, especially if traveling during peak hours, as Grand Avenue can become quite busy.

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 35.7 miles from Wickenburg, AZ, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.6 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 16 miles or 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 35.7 miles or 48m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tempe, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Wickenburg, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Wickenburg, AZ

This is one driving day of about 71.4 miles and 1h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Wickenburg, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Grand Avenue for about 26.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Surprise, AZ

36 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 City West, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sun City, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 35.7 miles from Wickenburg, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Tempe Town Lake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Tempe, Arizona

Amusement Park Rides RandRrides(Phoenix Park & Swap)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: Closed

+14809958653

Visit website

Tempe Festival of the Arts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Tempe, Arizona

+14803556060

Visit website

Arizona Science Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+16027162000

Visit website

Riverview Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14806442352

Visit website

Dorrance DOME

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

Enchanted Island Amusement Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+16022541200

Visit website

Tyrannostorus

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 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 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 18.2 and 69.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
18.2 mi into trip | ~23m in | US 60 / Grand Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Grand Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
47.9 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Phoenix

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 1B Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
8
61.1 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Take the exit onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East

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 147 Toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
8
61.6 mi into trip | ~1h 20m in | Red Mountain Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto Red Mountain Freeway toward AZ 202 Loop East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 147A Toward AZ 202 Loop East
7
69.5 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in

Take the exit toward McClintock Drive

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 8 Toward McClintock Drive

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.22 one way

$28.45 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $15.05 $30.11
premium $5.59 $15.72 $31.43
diesel $5.61 $15.76 $31.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 25 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.4 0 $7.50 $3.43
Efficient EV 17.9 0 $6.25 $2.86
EV Truck/SUV 28.6 0 $10.00 $4.57

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Wickenburg, AZ

Late night in Wickenburg on Tuesday

Local time

2:48 AM

MST

Current temp

51°F

Mostly Clear

NNE 0 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 12:28PM PDT until April 17 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 12:28PM PDT until April 17 at 11:00AM PDT by NWS Las Vegas NV

Destination

Tempe, AZ

Late night in Tempe on Tuesday

Local time

2:48 AM

MST

Current temp

84°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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 33m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is best described as a mixed experience, blending surface streets with freeway segments. You'll encounter 41% highway driving, interspersed with local road sections. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 26.6 miles on Grand Avenue, offering a good period of consistent travel before transitioning. This route isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; expect changes in speed and environment as you move between Grand Avenue and the freeway systems. The progression will feel like a gradual entry into a more urban setting as you approach Tempe.

41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.6 mi on Grand Avenue.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.2 miles in near US 60 / Grand Avenue.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 18.2 miles (US 60 / Grand Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.1 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting in Wickenburg, AZ

Full guide →

Founded 1863

Sun City is a suburb 20 miles (30km) northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was built as a planned retirement community in Maricopa County in the 1960s. An adjacent retirement community Sun City West was built in the late 1970s; there is also a Sun City Grand. Directly northwest of the three "Sun City" suburbs is Surprise, Arizona.

Top landmarks

  • • Santa Fe Railroad Depot — historic train station in Wickenburg, Arizona, USA
  • • Wickenburg High School — high school in Wickenburg, Arizona

Arriving in Tempe, AZ

Full guide →

Tempe is a city of 180,587 (2020) in the Greater Phoenix area of Arizona, best known as the home of Arizona State University (ASU). Its younger, student-heavy population allows it to offer a vibrant nightlife that is relatively rare in Arizona.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 71.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 26.6 miles on Grand Avenue. 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 Tempe, 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 18.2 miles (US 60 / Grand Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.1 miles (Red Mountain Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tempe, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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