How far is Picture Rocks, AZ from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance from Picture Rocks, AZ to Tempe, AZ is about 100.9 miles (162.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 83.3 miles (134 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 23m 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 41m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Picture Rocks and Tempe.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Picture Rocks and Tempe.
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1
Start on North Avra Road
1.4 mi · 5 min · North Avra Road
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2
Turn slight right onto West Emigh Road
1 mi · 4 min · West Emigh Road
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3
Turn left onto North Sanders Road
1 mi · 2 min · North Sanders Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto West Twin Peaks Road
2644 ft · 52 sec · West Twin Peaks Road
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5
Turn right onto North Clayton Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Clayton Road
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6
Turn sharp right onto West Avra Valley Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Avra Valley Road
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7
Turn left onto North Sanders Road
4 mi · 7 min · North Sanders Road
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8
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Marana Road
2819 ft · 53 sec · West Marana Road
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9
Continue on Marana Main Street
2724 ft · 1 min · Marana Main Street
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Sandario Road
58 m · 6 sec · North Sandario Road
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11
Exit the roundabout onto North Sandario Road
1584 ft · 60 sec · North Sandario Road
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12
Take the ramp left toward I 10 West: Phoenix
2256 ft · 55 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
36.1 mi · 36 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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14
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi · 39 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
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15
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Maricopa Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
2951 ft · 1 min
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17
Keep slight right to continue on US 60 East: Mesa Globe
1.1 km · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Superstition Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward McClintock Drive
2174 ft · 55 sec
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20
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
2 mi · 4 min · South McClintock Drive
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21
Turn left onto East Apache Boulevard
42 m · 10 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Picture Rocks 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.
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi · 00h 39m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Picture Rocks and Partly Sunny near Tempe.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Picture Rocks to Tempe?
The road trip is about 100.9 miles (162.4 km) and usually takes 01h 41m 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?
Arizona City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.3 miles from Picture Rocks and 51.6 miles from Tempe.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 83.3 miles (134 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.6 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 3:06 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.63 one way or $35.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Picture Rocks and Partly Sunny near Tempe.
Stop Ideas Near Arizona City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Casa Grande
Eloy City Hall
Arizona City Plaza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Arizona City.
Maricopa
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Tucson
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Picture Rocks and Tempe. Straight-line distance: 83.27 mi (134.01 km).
#1 Picture Rocks
Census-designated place in Pima County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 9,563 |
| Coordinates | 32.3459100, -111.2462100 |
| Altitude | 634 |
| 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: 162 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $17.63 | $35.25 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $19.00 | $38.01 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $19.81 | $39.63 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $22.66 | $45.33 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.