How far is San Carlos, AZ from Tempe Junction, AZ?

The driving distance from San Carlos, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ is about 100 miles (161 km), with a travel time of about 01h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 86 miles (138.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 48m 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
100.05 mi
01h 54m
Flight
86 mi
138.41 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from San Carlos.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
86 mi
Kilometers
138.41 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
100.05 mi
Kilometers
161.02 km
Drive Time
01h 54m

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 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tempe Junction
Thu, Oct 15, 3:39 PM MST
Return by in San Carlos
Thu, Oct 15, 5:34 PM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Carlos
2026-10-15T13:45
Arrive Tempe Junction
Thu, Oct 15, 3:39 PM MST
Route Timing
01h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:54 AM to 11:54 AM MST

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

Leave by
2:42 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Carlos
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
Superior
AZ

Town in Pinal County, Arizona, United States

From San Carlos
51.4 mi
00h 57m
To Tempe Junction
48.7 mi
00h 57m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 10 mph ENE
Destination
89°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 8:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between San Carlos and Tempe Junction.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Carlos and Tempe Junction.

  1. 1

    Start on Aravaipa Road

    815 ft · 22 sec · Aravaipa Road

  2. 2

    Continue on Indian Route 170

    3.4 mi · 6 min · Indian Route 170

  3. 3

    Continue on Indian Route 170

    796 ft · 18 sec · Indian Route 170

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Globe-Lordsburg Highway

    17.9 mi · 22 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on East Ash Street

    2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto South Hill Street

    1816 ft · 42 sec · South Hill Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto East Oak Street

    112 m · 11 sec · East Oak Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto North Broad Street

    2583 ft · 54 sec · North Broad Street

  9. 9

    Continue on North Broad Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North Broad Street

  10. 10

    Continue on US 60

    4 mi · 8 min · US 60

  11. 11

    Continue on West Live Oak Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · West Live Oak Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway

    42.9 mi · 55 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on Superstition Freeway

    25.5 mi · 29 min · Superstition Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Mill Avenue

    1690 ft · 45 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South Mill Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · South Mill Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West 13th Street

    1092 ft · 37 sec · West 13th Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 13th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between San Carlos and Tempe Junction.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Phoenix–Globe Highway
42.9 mi · 43%
Superstition Freeway
25.5 mi · 25%
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
17.9 mi · 18%
US 60
3.95 mi · 4%
Indian Route 170
3.56 mi · 4%
East Ash Street
2.29 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Phoenix–Globe Highway

Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway

42.9 mi · 00h 55m

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
01h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14 mi
86 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Superior
00h 57m from San Carlos
Leave By
2:42 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving San Carlos and Sunny near Tempe Junction.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Carlos to Tempe Junction?

The road trip is about 100 miles (161 km) and usually takes 01h 54m 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?

Superior is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.4 miles from San Carlos and 48.7 miles from Tempe Junction.

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

The direct path is about 86 miles (138.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 14 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 2:42 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.50 one way or $33.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Carlos and Sunny near Tempe Junction.

Stop Ideas Near Superior

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Superior, 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 Superior.

BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

86 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

89 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
RAIL

Maricopa

92 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

99 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Carlos and Tempe Junction. Straight-line distance: 86 mi (138.41 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 San Carlos

Located within Gila County in eastern Arizona at an elevation of 2,628 feet, this community lies situated in a semi-arid region defined by river valleys and rugged terrain.

Population0
Coordinates33.3456200, -110.4550400
Altitude801
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: Aravaipa Road (-110.455027, 33.345653)
End: West 13th Street (-111.943482, 33.414724)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 161 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.53 gal
13.36 L · about $16.50
Round trip
$33.00
7.06 gal · 26.72 L
Estimated CO2
31.4 kg one way
Round trip: 62.7 kg / 138 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.67 $16.50 $33.00
Mid-grade $5.03 $17.77 $35.54
Premium $5.36 $18.93 $37.86
Diesel $6.27 $22.14 $44.28

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

There is no time difference between San Carlos and Tempe Junction. The current time is 13:45:48.

Distance to Other Cities

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