How far is Carefree, AZ from Tempe Junction, AZ?
The driving distance from Carefree, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ is about 33.7 miles (54.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.2 miles (45.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 45m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carefree and Tempe Junction.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carefree and Tempe Junction.
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1
Start on North Tranquil Trail
3 m · 1 sec · North Tranquil Trail
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2
Continue on North Bloody Basin Road
2056 ft · 1 min · North Bloody Basin Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Tom Darlington Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Tom Darlington Drive
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4
Continue on North Scottsdale Road
9.8 mi · 16 min · North Scottsdale Road
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5
Turn left onto AZ 101 Loop East
2195 ft · 58 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
16.2 mi · 19 min · Pima Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 202 Loop West, AZ 202 Loop East: Airport
1072 ft · 26 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on AZ 202 Loop West
1 km · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Scottsdale Road, Rural Road
1783 ft · 43 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona State University-Tempe
122 m · 12 sec
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12
Turn slight left onto North Scottsdale Road
2543 ft · 1 min · North Scottsdale Road
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13
Continue on South Rural Road
1.6 km · 2 min · South Rural Road
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14
Turn right onto East Apache Boulevard
1.1 km · 2 min · East Apache Boulevard
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15
Turn left onto East 13th Street
1655 ft · 58 sec · East 13th Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carefree and Tempe Junction.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Pima Freeway
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
16.2 mi · 00h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Carefree and Sunny near Tempe Junction.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carefree to Tempe Junction?
The road trip is about 33.7 miles (54.2 km) and usually takes 00h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Paradise Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.7 miles from Carefree and 17 miles from Tempe Junction.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.2 miles (45.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.89 one way or $11.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carefree and Sunny near Tempe Junction.
Stop Ideas Near Paradise Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
City of Mesa Construction Permits
City of Tempe City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Paradise Valley.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carefree and Tempe Junction. Straight-line distance: 28.23 mi (45.43 km).
#1 Carefree
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 3,974 |
| Coordinates | 33.8222600, -111.9182000 |
| Altitude | 726 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tempe Junction
A census-designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona.
| Population | 158,368 |
| Coordinates | 33.4142100, -111.9434800 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| Country | United States |
End: West 13th Street (-111.943482, 33.414724)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 54 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $5.89 | $11.78 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $6.35 | $12.70 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $6.62 | $13.25 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $7.58 | $15.15 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Arizona · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.