How far is Desert Hills, AZ from Tempe Junction, AZ?
The driving distance from Desert Hills, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ is about 209.3 miles (336.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.9 miles (257.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 44m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in La Paz County, Arizona, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Desert Hills and Tempe Junction.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Desert Hills and Tempe Junction.
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1
Start on Bayshore Road
72 m · 10 sec · Bayshore Road
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2
Continue on Mountain View Drive
545 ft · 26 sec · Mountain View Drive
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Thrasher Drive
560 ft · 26 sec · Thrasher Drive
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto London Bridge Road
1 km · 1 min · London Bridge Road
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5
Turn left onto Chenoweth Road
1.1 km · 2 min · Chenoweth Road
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6
Turn right onto Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
25.6 mi · 34 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
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7
Continue on Riverside Drive
7.1 mi · 8 min · Riverside Drive
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8
Turn straight onto Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
6.6 mi · 8 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
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9
Continue on Rio Vista Highway
4.4 mi · 6 min · Rio Vista Highway
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10
Turn left onto California Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · California Avenue
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11
Continue on Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
11.4 mi · 13 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
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12
Continue on Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
19.6 mi · 22 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
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13
Continue on North Central Boulevard
3.1 mi · 4 min · North Central Boulevard
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14
Turn left onto East Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
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15
Turn right onto Riggles Road
965 ft · 23 sec · Riggles Road
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16
Take the ramp left
2715 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
104.7 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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18
Continue on Papago Freeway
19.8 mi · 23 min · Papago Freeway
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19
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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20
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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23
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
4.9 mi · 6 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Priest Drive, Center Parkway
1610 ft · 39 sec
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25
Continue on Red Mountain Freeeway
576 ft · 18 sec · Red Mountain Freeeway
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26
Turn right onto North Priest Drive
2743 ft · 1 min · North Priest Drive
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27
Continue on South Priest Drive
2801 ft · 1 min · South Priest Drive
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28
Turn left onto West University Drive
1.6 km · 2 min · West University Drive
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29
Turn right onto South Farmer Avenue
2642 ft · 2 min · South Farmer Avenue
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30
At the end of the road, turn left onto West 13th Street
72 m · 8 sec · West 13th Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Desert Hills and Tempe Junction.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
105 mi · 01h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Desert Hills 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 Desert Hills to Tempe Junction?
The road trip is about 209.3 miles (336.8 km) and usually takes 03h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Salome is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.2 miles from Desert Hills and 101 miles from Tempe Junction.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.9 miles (257.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:32 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.59 one way or $73.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Desert Hills and Sunny near Tempe Junction.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Desert Hills and Tempe Junction. Straight-line distance: 159.88 mi (257.31 km).
#1 Desert Hills
Census designated place
| Population | 2,245 |
| Coordinates | 34.5539000, -114.3724600 |
| Altitude | 167 |
| 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: 337 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $36.59 | $73.18 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $39.45 | $78.90 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $41.13 | $82.27 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $47.04 | $94.09 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.