How far is Cave Creek, AZ from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance from Cave Creek, AZ to Tempe, AZ is about 35.2 miles (56.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 29 miles (46.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 46m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cave Creek and Tempe.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cave Creek and Tempe.
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1
Start on East Cave Creek Road
63 m · 11 sec · East Cave Creek Road
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2
Continue on East Cave Creek Road
1.8 mi · 5 min · East Cave Creek Road
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3
Turn slight right onto North Tom Darlington Drive
52 m · 7 sec
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4
Turn straight onto North Tom Darlington Drive
1366 ft · 28 sec · North Tom Darlington Drive
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5
Turn straight onto North Tom Darlington Drive
1.7 mi · 4 min · North Tom Darlington Drive
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6
Continue on North Scottsdale Road
9.8 mi · 16 min · North Scottsdale Road
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7
Turn left onto AZ 101 Loop East
2195 ft · 58 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Pima Freeway
16.7 mi · 19 min · Pima Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Rio Salado Parkway
1997 ft · 51 sec
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10
Continue on South Price Road
2669 ft · 60 sec · South Price Road
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11
Turn right onto East University Drive
1.6 km · 2 min · East University Drive
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12
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
2608 ft · 1 min · South McClintock Drive
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13
Turn right onto East Apache Boulevard
18 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cave Creek and Tempe.
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
16.7 mi · 00h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Clear leaving Cave Creek and Sunny near Tempe.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cave Creek to Tempe?
The road trip is about 35.2 miles (56.6 km) and usually takes 00h 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?
Paradise Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.6 miles from Cave Creek and 18.6 miles from Tempe.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 29 miles (46.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.2 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 4:56 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.14 one way or $12.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Cave Creek and Sunny near Tempe.
Stop Ideas Near Paradise Valley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
Scottsdale City Council
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 Cave Creek and Tempe. Straight-line distance: 29.02 mi (46.7 km).
#1 Cave Creek
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 5,986 |
| Coordinates | 33.8333716, -111.9507042 |
| Altitude | 648 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Tempe
The third most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 200,402 |
| Coordinates | 33.4147700, -111.9093100 |
| Altitude | 360 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Apache Boulevard (-111.909309, 33.414838)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 57 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $6.14 | $12.28 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $6.62 | $13.24 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $6.90 | $13.80 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $7.89 | $15.79 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.