How far is Cottonwood, AZ from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance from Cottonwood, AZ to Tempe, AZ is about 116.4 miles (187.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 91.7 miles (147.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 49m 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 01h 54m.
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.
Census designated place
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 Cottonwood and Tempe.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood and Tempe.
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1
Start on South Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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2
Continue on South Main Street
128 m · 6 sec · South Main Street
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3
Continue on Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
4.6 mi · 7 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
51 m · 7 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Cottonwood-Camp Verde-Mogollon Rim Highway
48 m · 7 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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7
Exit the rotary onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
58 m · 8 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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9
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cottonwood-Camp Verde-Mogollon Rim Highway
61 m · 8 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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11
Exit the rotary onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
46 m · 2 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Cottonwood-Camp Verde-Mogollon Rim Highway
32 m · 5 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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15
Exit the rotary onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1.2 mi · 3 min · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
47 m · 7 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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17
Exit the roundabout onto Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
1860 ft · 45 sec · Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
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18
Take the exit right
2385 ft · 58 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
41 mi · 41 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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20
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi · 6 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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21
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
10.5 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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22
Continue on North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
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23
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
24.8 mi · 29 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
968 ft · 15 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
1.3 km · 1 min
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26
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
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27
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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28
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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30
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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31
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
7.9 mi · 9 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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32
Take the exit slight right toward McClintock Drive
2346 ft · 50 sec
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33
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive
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34
Turn right onto East Apache Boulevard
18 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cottonwood and Tempe.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Arizona Veterans Highway
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
41 mi · 00h 41m
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.
Sunny leaving Cottonwood and Sunny near Tempe.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cottonwood to Tempe?
The road trip is about 116.4 miles (187.3 km) and usually takes 01h 54m 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?
Black Canyon City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 57 miles from Cottonwood and 59.3 miles from Tempe.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 91.7 miles (147.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.7 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 2:40 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.35 one way or $40.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cottonwood and Sunny near Tempe.
Stop Ideas Near Black Canyon City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Black Canyon City.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Camp Verde, Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cottonwood and Tempe. Straight-line distance: 91.69 mi (147.56 km).
#1 Cottonwood
City in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 11,818 |
| Coordinates | 34.7391900, -112.0098800 |
| Altitude | 1014 |
| 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: 187 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $20.35 | $40.70 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $21.94 | $43.88 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $22.88 | $45.75 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $26.16 | $52.33 |
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.