How far is New River, AZ from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance from New River, AZ to Tempe, AZ is about 48.9 miles (78.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 37 miles (59.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m 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 00h 52m.
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.
The second most populous city in Arizona.
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 New River and Tempe.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New River and Tempe.
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1
Start on North Kelley Road
1083 ft · 42 sec · North Kelley Road
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2
Turn left onto West New River Road
1769 ft · 40 sec · West New River Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto I-17 Frontage Road
1415 ft · 29 sec · I-17 Frontage Road
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4
Turn right onto New River Road
1707 ft · 45 sec · New River Road
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5
Take the ramp left toward I-17 South: Phoenix
1371 ft · 34 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Black Canyon Freeway
2.7 mi · 3 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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7
Continue on North Black Canyon Highway
3.2 mi · 3 min · North Black Canyon Highway
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8
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
24.8 mi · 29 min · Black Canyon Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Central Phoenix, Los Angeles
968 ft · 15 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Central Phoenix, Tucson
1.3 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway
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12
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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13
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
7.9 mi · 9 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward McClintock Drive
2346 ft · 50 sec
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18
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive
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19
Turn right onto East Apache Boulevard
18 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between New River 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.
Black Canyon Freeway
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
24.8 mi · 00h 29m
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 New River and Sunny near Tempe.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from New River to Tempe?
The road trip is about 48.9 miles (78.7 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Glendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.3 miles from New River and 25.6 miles from Tempe.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 37 miles (59.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.9 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 4:46 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.57 one way or $17.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around New River and Sunny near Tempe.
Stop Ideas Near Glendale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
The Phoenix Police Museum
Surprise City Hall
Tolleson City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glendale.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between New River and Tempe. Straight-line distance: 37 mi (59.54 km).
#1 New River
Census-designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 10,740 |
| Coordinates | 33.9158700, -112.1359900 |
| Altitude | 614 |
| 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: 79 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $8.57 | $17.13 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $9.23 | $18.47 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $9.63 | $19.26 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $11.01 | $22.03 |
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.