How far is San Tan Valley, AZ from Tempe, AZ?

The driving distance from San Tan Valley, AZ to Tempe, AZ is about 37.5 miles (60.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 26.9 miles (43.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m 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
37.49 mi
00h 45m
Flight
26.9 mi
43.29 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from San Tan Valley.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
26.9 mi
Kilometers
43.29 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
37.49 mi
Kilometers
60.33 km
Drive Time
00h 45m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tempe
Tue, Oct 13, 7:50 PM MST
Return by in San Tan Valley
Tue, Oct 13, 8:36 PM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Tan Valley
2026-10-13T19:04
Arrive Tempe
Tue, Oct 13, 7:50 PM MST
Route Timing
00h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM MST

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

Leave by
4:58 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Tan Valley
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
Apache Junction
AZ

A town in Pinal County, Arizona.

From San Tan Valley
18.1 mi
00h 22m
To Tempe
19.3 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
This Afternoon

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, Oct 13 2:00 PM MST
Wind
10 mph W
Destination
76°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Tue, Oct 13 5:00 PM MST
Wind
10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between San Tan Valley and Tempe.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Tan Valley and Tempe.

  1. 1

    Start on East Skyline Drive

    46 m · 4 sec · East Skyline Drive

  2. 2

    Continue on North Schnepf Road

    2 mi · 5 min · North Schnepf Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Combs Road

    2 mi · 4 min · East Combs Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Gantzel Road

    2 mi · 3 min · North Gantzel Road

  5. 5

    Continue on North Ironwood Road

    3.5 mi · 6 min · North Ironwood Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Gateway Expressway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Gateway Expressway

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    1975 ft · 39 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1785 ft · 36 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on Gateway Freeway

    1677 ft · 32 sec · Gateway Freeway

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    1824 ft · 37 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    2106 ft · 42 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Gateway Freeway

    3102 ft · 59 sec · Gateway Freeway

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    2077 ft · 42 sec

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    1871 ft · 25 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on Gateway Freeway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Gateway Freeway

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on AZ 202 Loop North

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Santan Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Santan Freeway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60 West: Phoenix

    1.5 mi · 3 min

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway

    12.2 mi · 14 min · Superstition Freeway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  21. 21

    Merge slight left onto Price Freeway

    1762 ft · 23 sec · Price Freeway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward Broadway Road, Apache Boulevard

    2198 ft · 53 sec

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto South Price Road

    92 m · 8 sec · South Price Road

  24. 24

    Turn left onto East Broadway Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East Broadway Road

  25. 25

    Turn right onto South McClintock Drive

    2572 ft · 57 sec · South McClintock Drive

  26. 26

    Turn left onto East Apache Boulevard

    42 m · 10 sec · East Apache Boulevard

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between San Tan Valley and Tempe.

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
27 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
72 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Superstition Freeway
12.2 mi · 32%
Gateway Freeway
3.85 mi · 10%
North Ironwood Road
3.47 mi · 9%
Santan Freeway
2.62 mi · 7%
North Gantzel Road
2 mi · 5%
East Combs Road
2 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Superstition Freeway

Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway

12.2 mi · 00h 14m

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
00h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.6 mi
26.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Apache Junction
00h 22m from San Tan Valley
Leave By
4:58 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving San Tan Valley and Sunny near Tempe.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Tan Valley to Tempe?

The road trip is about 37.5 miles (60.3 km) and usually takes 00h 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?

Apache Junction is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.1 miles from San Tan Valley and 19.3 miles from Tempe.

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

The direct path is about 26.9 miles (43.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.6 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 4:58 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.20 one way or $12.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around San Tan Valley and Sunny near Tempe.

Stop Ideas Near Apache Junction

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

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

BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

43 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

45 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

54 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
RAIL

Maricopa

61 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Tan Valley and Tempe. Straight-line distance: 26.9 mi (43.29 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 San Tan Valley

This Arizonan community is situated in the Sonoran Desert, surrounded by the San Tan Mountains Regional Park.

Population0
Coordinates33.1911000, -111.5280000
Altitude462
CountryUnited States
Tempe

#2 Tempe

The third most populous city in Arizona.

Population200,402
Coordinates33.4147700, -111.9093100
Altitude360
CountryUnited States
Start: East Skyline Drive (-111.527989, 33.19109)
End: East Apache Boulevard (-111.909309, 33.414838)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 60 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.32 gal
5.01 L · about $6.20
Round trip
$12.41
2.64 gal · 10.02 L
Estimated CO2
11.7 kg one way
Round trip: 23.5 kg / 52 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.70 $6.20 $12.41
Mid-grade $5.04 $6.66 $13.32
Premium $5.37 $7.09 $14.19
Diesel $6.20 $8.18 $16.37

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between San Tan Valley and Tempe. The current time is 19:04:25.

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.