How far is First Mesa, AZ from Tempe Junction, AZ?
The driving distance from First Mesa, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ is about 280.9 miles (452 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.5 miles (304.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 35m 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 04h 17m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 in Coconino 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 First Mesa and Tempe Junction.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between First Mesa and Tempe Junction.
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1
Start on the route
1031 ft · 48 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left
87 m · 14 sec
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3
Turn right
75 m · 12 sec
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Arizona State Highway 264
7.7 mi · 10 min · Arizona State Highway 264
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5
Turn left onto Winslow–Kayenta Highway
16.7 mi · 19 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
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6
Continue on AZ 87
4.1 mi · 5 min · AZ 87
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7
Continue on Winslow–Kayenta Highway
38.8 mi · 45 min · Winslow–Kayenta Highway
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8
Take the ramp right
2575 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
61.2 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Purple Heart Trail
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 17 South, AZ 89A North: Phoenix, Flagstaff
907 ft · 17 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 17, AZ 89A South: Sedona, Phoenix
1 mi · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
93 mi · 1 hr 33 min · Arizona Veterans Highway
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13
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
5.8 mi · 6 min · Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
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14
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
10.5 mi · 10 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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15
Continue on North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
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16
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
27.9 mi · 32 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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17
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
7.1 mi · 8 min · Maricopa Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 143: 48th Street, Broadway Road
1011 ft · 25 sec
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19
Keep slight left
1118 ft · 27 sec
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20
Keep slight left
153 m · 12 sec
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21
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
583 ft · 16 sec · Maricopa Freeway
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22
Turn left onto East Broadway Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · East Broadway Road
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23
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
2645 ft · 1 min · South Roosevelt Street
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24
At the end of the road, turn right onto West 13th Street
1342 ft · 48 sec · West 13th Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between First Mesa 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.
Arizona Veterans Highway
Merge slight left onto Arizona Veterans Highway
93 mi · 01h 34m
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 First Mesa 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 First Mesa to Tempe Junction?
The road trip is about 280.9 miles (452 km) and usually takes 04h 17m 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?
Mountainaire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.6 miles from First Mesa and 140.2 miles from Tempe Junction.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.5 miles (304.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 91.4 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 8:24 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.06 one way or $98.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around First Mesa and Sunny near Tempe Junction.
Stop Ideas Near Mountainaire
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Sedona Dog Park
United States Postal Service
Flagstaff City Hall
Sedona
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mountainaire.
Flagstaff (Greyhound), Arizona
Flagstaff Station
Sedona (Center Bus Stop), Arizona
Williams, Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between First Mesa and Tempe Junction. Straight-line distance: 189.47 mi (304.92 km).
#1 First Mesa
Census designated place
| Population | 1,555 |
| Coordinates | 35.8366700, -110.3815200 |
| Altitude | 1771 |
| 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: 452 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $49.06 | $98.13 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $52.90 | $105.80 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $55.16 | $110.32 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $63.09 | $126.17 |
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.