How far is Rio Verde, AZ from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance from Rio Verde, AZ to Tempe, AZ is about 32.9 miles (52.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.2 miles (40.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 45m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Maricopa County, 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 Verde and Tempe.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Verde and Tempe.
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1
Start on North Medelice Lane
592 ft · 31 sec · North Medelice Lane
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Four Peaks Boulevard
1922 ft · 1 min · East Four Peaks Boulevard
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Forest Road
1 km · 2 min · North Forest Road
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4
Continue on McDowell Mountain Road
8.1 mi · 20 min · McDowell Mountain Road
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5
Continue on North Fountain Hills Boulevard
2417 ft · 1 min · North Fountain Hills Boulevard
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6
Turn left onto North Saguaro Boulevard
3.8 mi · 7 min · North Saguaro Boulevard
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7
Turn left onto East Shea Boulevard
3146 ft · 1 min · East Shea Boulevard
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8
Turn right onto Beeline Highway
10.9 mi · 13 min · Beeline Highway
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9
Turn right onto East McDowell Road
1.2 km · 1 min · East McDowell Road
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10
Turn left onto North Alma School Road
1.1 km · 1 min · North Alma School Road
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11
Turn right onto East McKellips Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · East McKellips Road
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12
Turn left onto North McClintock Drive
2.5 mi · 5 min · North McClintock Drive
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13
Turn right onto East Apache Boulevard
18 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Verde and Tempe.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Beeline Highway
Turn right onto Beeline Highway
10.9 mi · 00h 13m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Clear leaving Rio Verde 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 Verde to Tempe?
The road trip is about 32.9 miles (52.9 km) and usually takes 00h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Fountain Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16 miles from Rio Verde and 16.8 miles from Tempe.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.2 miles (40.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.42 one way or $10.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Rio Verde and Sunny near Tempe.
Stop Ideas Near Fountain Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Mastro's City Hall
City of Mesa Construction Permits
City of Tempe City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fountain Hills.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rio Verde and Tempe. Straight-line distance: 25.16 mi (40.49 km).
#1 Rio Verde
Located in the high Sonoran Desert of Maricopa County at an elevation of 1617 feet, this unincorporated community is situated northeast of Scottsdale near the Verde River.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.7225400, -111.6756900 |
| Altitude | 493 |
| 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: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.67 | $5.42 | $10.84 |
| Mid-grade | $5.03 | $5.84 | $11.68 |
| Premium | $5.36 | $6.22 | $12.44 |
| Diesel | $6.27 | $7.28 | $14.55 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026