How far is Gila Bend, AZ from Tempe Junction, AZ?
The driving distance from Gila Bend, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ is about 69.3 miles (111.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 55.1 miles (88.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 40m 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 20m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gila Bend and Tempe Junction.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gila Bend and Tempe Junction.
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1
Start on North Martin Avenue
51 m · 13 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
4.9 mi · 6 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Priest Drive, Center Parkway
1610 ft · 39 sec
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17
Continue on Red Mountain Freeeway
576 ft · 18 sec · Red Mountain Freeeway
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18
Turn right onto North Priest Drive
2743 ft · 1 min · North Priest Drive
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19
Continue on South Priest Drive
2801 ft · 1 min · South Priest Drive
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20
Turn left onto West University Drive
1.6 km · 2 min · West University Drive
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21
Turn right onto South Farmer Avenue
2642 ft · 2 min · South Farmer Avenue
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto West 13th Street
72 m · 8 sec · West 13th Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 13th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gila Bend 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 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Gila Bend 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 Gila Bend to Tempe Junction?
The road trip is about 69.3 miles (111.6 km) and usually takes 01h 20m 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 38.8 miles from Gila Bend and 30.6 miles from Tempe Junction.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 55.1 miles (88.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.2 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 3:50 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.13 one way or $24.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Gila Bend and Sunny near Tempe Junction.
Stop Ideas Near Buckeye
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Arizona Department of Economic Security
Goodyear City Government
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 Junction. Straight-line distance: 55.12 mi (88.71 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 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: 112 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $12.13 | $24.26 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $13.08 | $26.16 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $13.64 | $27.27 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $15.60 | $31.19 |
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.