How far is Safford, AZ from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance from Safford, AZ to Tempe, AZ is about 154.7 miles (248.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 133.6 miles (215 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 30m 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 45m.
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.
City in and county seat of Gila County, Arizona, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Safford and Tempe.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Safford and Tempe.
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1
Start on South 1st Avenue
77 m · 8 sec · South 1st Avenue
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2
Turn right onto West Main Street
2563 ft · 1 min · West Main Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto South 8th Avenue
133 m · 17 sec · South 8th Avenue
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4
Turn left onto West Thatcher Boulevard
2.3 mi · 5 min · West Thatcher Boulevard
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5
Continue on West Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
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6
Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
4.7 mi · 7 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
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7
Continue on East Center Street
66.5 mi · 1 hr 22 min · East Center Street
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8
Continue on East Ash Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street
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9
Turn right onto South Hill Street
1816 ft · 42 sec · South Hill Street
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10
Turn left onto East Oak Street
112 m · 11 sec · East Oak Street
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11
Turn right onto North Broad Street
2583 ft · 54 sec · North Broad Street
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12
Continue on North Broad Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Broad Street
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13
Continue on US 60
4 mi · 8 min · US 60
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14
Continue on West Live Oak Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · West Live Oak Street
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15
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
42.9 mi · 55 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway
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16
Continue on Superstition Freeway
21.9 mi · 25 min · Superstition Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North
1.6 mi · 2 min
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18
Merge slight left onto Price Freeway
1762 ft · 23 sec · Price Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard
2198 ft · 53 sec
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20
Turn straight onto South Price Road
92 m · 8 sec · South Price Road
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21
Turn left onto East Broadway Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Broadway Road
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22
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
2572 ft · 57 sec · South McClintock Drive
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23
Turn left onto East Apache Boulevard
42 m · 10 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Safford and Tempe.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
East Center Street
Continue on East Center Street
66.5 mi · 01h 22m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Safford and Sunny near Tempe.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Safford to Tempe?
The road trip is about 154.7 miles (248.9 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?
Globe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.2 miles from Safford and 77.4 miles from Tempe.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 133.6 miles (215 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.1 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 1:00 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.03 one way or $54.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Safford and Sunny near Tempe.
Stop Ideas Near Globe
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 Globe.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Safford and Tempe. Straight-line distance: 133.57 mi (214.96 km).
#1 Safford
City in and county seat of Graham County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 9,951 |
| Coordinates | 32.8339500, -109.7075800 |
| Altitude | 889 |
| 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: 249 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $27.03 | $54.06 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $29.15 | $58.29 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $30.39 | $60.78 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $34.76 | $69.52 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.