How far is Safford, AZ from Tempe Junction, AZ?

The driving distance from Safford, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ is about 156.7 miles (252.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 135.5 miles (218 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
156.68 mi
02h 48m
Flight
135.45 mi
217.98 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Safford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
135.45 mi
Kilometers
217.98 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
156.68 mi
Kilometers
252.16 km
Drive Time
02h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tempe Junction
Sat, Apr 11, 3:21 AM MST
Return by in Safford
Sat, Apr 11, 6:09 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Safford
2026-04-11T00:33
Arrive Tempe Junction
Sat, Apr 11, 3:21 AM MST
Route Timing
02h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:48 AM to 12:48 PM MST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:54 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Safford
9:30 PM MST
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Kearny
AZ

Town in Pinal County, Arizona, United States

From Safford
67.7 mi
01h 24m
To Tempe Junction
89 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 16 mph S
Destination
61°F
Saturday Night

Clear

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 11:00 AM MST
Wind
5 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

A saved road route is not available yet, so the map falls back to a straight-line overview.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Safford and Tempe Junction.

Turn-by-turn directions are not available for this route yet, but the driving route map is still shown above.

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.2 mi
135.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kearny
01h 24m from Safford
Leave By
12:54 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Safford and Clear near Tempe Junction.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Safford to Tempe Junction?

The road trip is about 156.7 miles (252.2 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?

Kearny is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.7 miles from Safford and 89 miles from Tempe Junction.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 135.5 miles (218 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 12:54 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.38 one way or $54.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Safford and Clear near Tempe Junction.

Stop Ideas Near Kearny

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kearny, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kearny.

RAIL

Tucson

93 mi away
400 North Toole Avenue
RAIL

Maricopa

106 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway
BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

111 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

113 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Safford and Tempe Junction. Straight-line distance: 135.45 mi (217.98 km).

Safford

#1 Safford

City in and county seat of Graham County, Arizona, United States

Population9,951
Coordinates32.8339500, -109.7075800
Altitude889
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Tempe Junction

A census-designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Population158,368
Coordinates33.4142100, -111.9434800
Altitude354
CountryUnited States
Start: South 1st Avenue (-109.707733, 32.833949)
End: West 13th Street (-111.943482, 33.414724)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 252 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.53 gal
20.93 L · about $27.38
Round trip
$54.76
11.06 gal · 41.86 L
Estimated CO2
49.1 kg one way
Round trip: 98.3 kg / 217 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $27.38 $54.76
Mid-grade $5.34 $29.52 $59.04
Premium $5.57 $30.78 $61.56
Diesel $6.37 $35.20 $70.41

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Safford and Tempe Junction. The current time is 00:33:29.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.