How far is Rio Rico, AZ from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance from Rio Rico, AZ to Tempe, AZ is about 167.9 miles (270.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 24m 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 02h 42m.
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 Pima and Pinal counties in Arizona, United States
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 Rio Rico and Tempe.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Rico and Tempe.
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1
Start on the route
62 m · 20 sec
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2
Turn right onto Yeso Court
89 m · 15 sec · Yeso Court
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3
Turn right onto Avenida Leon
1650 ft · 1 min · Avenida Leon
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Avenida Coatimundi
1544 ft · 44 sec · Avenida Coatimundi
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Pendleton Drive
1.2 km · 2 min · Pendleton Drive
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6
Turn left onto Rio Rico Drive
1.2 mi · 3 min · Rio Rico Drive
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7
Take the ramp right
1655 ft · 40 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Nogales–Tucson Highway
52 mi · 58 min · Nogales–Tucson Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 West: Phoenix
3178 ft · 49 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto South Freeway
5.4 mi · 6 min · South Freeway
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11
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
50.7 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
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13
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi · 39 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
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14
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Maricopa Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
2951 ft · 1 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on US 60 East: Mesa Globe
1.1 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Superstition Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward McClintock Drive
2174 ft · 55 sec
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19
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
2 mi · 4 min · South McClintock Drive
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20
Turn left onto East Apache Boulevard
42 m · 10 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Rico 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.
Nogales–Tucson Highway
Merge slight left onto Nogales–Tucson Highway
52 mi · 00h 58m
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 Rio Rico and Sunny near Tempe.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rio Rico to Tempe?
The road trip is about 167.9 miles (270.2 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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?
Marana is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.9 miles from Rio Rico and 85 miles from Tempe.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.1 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 1:06 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.36 one way or $58.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rio Rico and Sunny near Tempe.
Stop Ideas Near Marana
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Marana.
Tucson
Benson
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rio Rico and Tempe. Straight-line distance: 144.87 mi (233.14 km).
#1 Rio Rico
Rio Rico is a place in Arizona, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 31.4714800, -110.9764800 |
| Altitude | 1061 |
| 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: 270 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $29.36 | $58.72 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $31.65 | $63.31 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $33.01 | $66.01 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $37.75 | $75.50 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.