How far is Gila Bend, AZ from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance from Gila Bend, AZ to Tempe, AZ is about 73.3 miles (118 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 56.7 miles (91.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 48m 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 24m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gila Bend and Tempe.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gila Bend and Tempe.
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1
Start on North Martin Avenue
51 m · 15 sec · North Martin Avenue
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2
Turn left onto East Pima Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · East Pima Street
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3
Continue on Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
1.1 km · 2 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
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4
Turn left onto Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
1548 ft · 44 sec · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
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5
Continue on Arizona State Highway 85
28.1 mi · 33 min · Arizona State Highway 85
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6
Continue on Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
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7
Continue on South Oglesby Road
3.7 mi · 5 min · South Oglesby Road
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East: Phoenix
1.1 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
11.7 mi · 13 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on Papago Freeway
19.8 mi · 23 min · Papago Freeway
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11
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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12
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
7.9 mi · 9 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward McClintock Drive
2346 ft · 50 sec
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17
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive
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18
Turn right onto East Apache Boulevard
18 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gila Bend 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 State Highway 85
Continue on Arizona State Highway 85
28.1 mi · 00h 33m
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 Gila Bend and Sunny near Tempe.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gila Bend to Tempe?
The road trip is about 73.3 miles (118 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?
Buckeye is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.7 miles from Gila Bend and 33.6 miles from Tempe.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 56.7 miles (91.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.6 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 3:42 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.82 one way or $25.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gila Bend and Sunny near Tempe.
Stop Ideas Near Buckeye
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Arizona Department of Economic Security
Avondale City Water Billing
City of Buckeye, City Hall
City of Buckeye GIS
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buckeye.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gila Bend and Tempe. Straight-line distance: 56.76 mi (91.34 km).
#1 Gila Bend
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 2,118 |
| Coordinates | 32.9478200, -112.7168300 |
| Altitude | 224 |
| 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: 118 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $12.82 | $25.65 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $13.83 | $27.65 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $14.42 | $28.83 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $16.49 | $32.98 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.