How far is Sun City, AZ from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance from Sun City, AZ to Tempe, AZ is about 33.6 miles (54 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.4 miles (39.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 13m 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 36m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Urban village in Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sun City and Tempe.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sun City and Tempe.
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1
Start on Grand Avenue
7 m · 3 sec · Grand Avenue
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2
Continue on Grand Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Grand Avenue
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3
Take the exit right toward AZ 101 Loop South
1947 ft · 47 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Agua Fria Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Phoenix
1.3 km · 1 min
-
6
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
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7
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2704 ft · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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8
Continue on Papago Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 51 North, AZ 202 Loop East
564 ft · 7 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
1827 ft · 41 sec · Red Mountain Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Red Mountain Freeway
7.9 mi · 9 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward McClintock Drive
2346 ft · 50 sec
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13
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive
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14
Turn right onto East Apache Boulevard
18 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Apache Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sun City 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.
Papago Freeway
Merge slight left onto Papago Freeway
10.4 mi · 00h 12m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Sun City and Sunny near Tempe.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sun City to Tempe?
The road trip is about 33.6 miles (54 km) and usually takes 00h 36m 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?
Maryvale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.8 miles from Sun City and 16.8 miles from Tempe.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.4 miles (39.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:16 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.84 one way or $11.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sun City and Sunny near Tempe.
Stop Ideas Near Maryvale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Phoenix Police Museum
City of Peoria Municipal Operations Center
Tolleson City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maryvale.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sun City and Tempe. Straight-line distance: 24.41 mi (39.28 km).
#1 Sun City
Census designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 37,499 |
| Coordinates | 33.5975400, -112.2718200 |
| Altitude | 348 |
| 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: 54 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $5.84 | $11.68 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $6.30 | $12.60 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $6.57 | $13.14 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $7.51 | $15.02 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.