How far is Catalina, AZ from Tempe, AZ?

The driving distance from Catalina, AZ to Tempe, AZ is about 101.2 miles (162.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 85 miles (136.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
101.23 mi
01h 46m
Flight
85.02 mi
136.82 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Catalina.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
85.02 mi
Kilometers
136.82 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
101.23 mi
Kilometers
162.91 km
Drive Time
01h 46m

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 01h 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tempe
Thu, Apr 16, 1:43 AM MST
Return by in Catalina
Thu, Apr 16, 3:29 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Catalina
2026-04-15T23:57
Arrive Tempe
Thu, Apr 16, 1:43 AM MST
Route Timing
01h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:46 AM to 11:46 AM MST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:58 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Catalina
9:30 PM MST
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Florence
AZ

Town in and county seat of Pinal County, Arizona, United States

From Catalina
50.5 mi
00h 53m
To Tempe
50.8 mi
00h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM MST
Wind
2 to 7 mph NW
Destination
57°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 5:00 AM MST
Wind
0 mph

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Catalina and Tempe.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Catalina and Tempe.

  1. 1

    Start on East Pinto Place

    150 m · 27 sec · East Pinto Place

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Elkins Road

    1991 ft · 2 min · North Elkins Road

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Edwin Road

    1569 ft · 43 sec · Edwin Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard

    733 ft · 29 sec · Eagle Crest Ranch Boulevard

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Tucson-Globe Highway

    3.2 mi · 5 min · Tucson-Globe Highway

  6. 6

    Turn left onto State Route 79

    2019 ft · 28 sec · State Route 79

  7. 7

    Continue on Pinal Pioneer Parkway

    35.9 mi · 41 min · Pinal Pioneer Parkway

  8. 8

    Continue on South Pinal Parkway Avenue

    6.2 mi · 8 min · South Pinal Parkway Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on North Pinal Parkway

    15.6 mi · 20 min · North Pinal Parkway

  10. 10

    Continue on Oracle Junction–Florence Highway

    1552 ft · 43 sec · Oracle Junction–Florence Highway

  11. 11

    Turn left onto US 60 West: Apache Junction, Mesa, Phoenix

    2520 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Phoenix–Globe Highway

    12.1 mi · 15 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Superstition Freeway

    21.9 mi · 25 min · Superstition Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Price Freeway

    1762 ft · 23 sec · Price Freeway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard

    2198 ft · 53 sec

  17. 17

    Turn straight onto South Price Road

    92 m · 8 sec · South Price Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto East Broadway Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East Broadway Road

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South McClintock Drive

    2572 ft · 57 sec · South McClintock Drive

  20. 20

    Turn left onto East Apache Boulevard

    42 m · 10 sec · East Apache Boulevard

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Catalina and Tempe.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Pinal Pioneer Parkway
35.9 mi · 35%
Superstition Freeway
21.9 mi · 22%
North Pinal Parkway
15.6 mi · 15%
Phoenix–Globe Highway
12.1 mi · 12%
South Pinal Parkway Avenue
6.19 mi · 6%
Tucson-Globe Highway
3.18 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Pinal Pioneer Parkway

Continue on Pinal Pioneer Parkway

35.9 mi · 00h 41m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.2 mi
85 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Florence
00h 53m from Catalina
Leave By
2:58 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Catalina and Clear near Tempe.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Catalina to Tempe?

The road trip is about 101.2 miles (162.9 km) and usually takes 01h 46m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Florence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.5 miles from Catalina and 50.8 miles from Tempe.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 85 miles (136.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:58 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.68 one way or $35.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Catalina and Clear near Tempe.

Stop Ideas Near Florence

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Florence, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Florence.

RAIL

Maricopa

62 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway
BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

73 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

75 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

89 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Catalina and Tempe. Straight-line distance: 85.02 mi (136.82 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Catalina

Census designated place in Pima County, Arizona, United States

Population7,569
Coordinates32.5055600, -110.9211100
Altitude962
CountryUnited States
Tempe

#2 Tempe

The third most populous city in Arizona.

Population200,402
Coordinates33.4147700, -111.9093100
Altitude360
CountryUnited States
Start: East Pinto Place (-110.920252, 32.505897)
End: East Apache Boulevard (-111.909309, 33.414838)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 163 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.57 gal
13.52 L · about $17.68
Round trip
$35.35
7.14 gal · 27.04 L
Estimated CO2
31.7 kg one way
Round trip: 63.5 kg / 140 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $17.68 $35.35
Mid-grade $5.34 $19.06 $38.11
Premium $5.57 $19.87 $39.74
Diesel $6.37 $22.73 $45.45

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Catalina and Tempe. The current time is 23:57:00.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.