How far is Tempe Junction, AZ from Safford, AZ?
The driving distance from Tempe Junction, AZ to Safford, AZ is about 156.6 miles (252 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.5 miles (218 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 27m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Clear
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tempe Junction and Safford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction and Safford.
-
1
Start on West 13th Street
1093 ft · 41 sec · West 13th Street
-
2
Turn right onto South Mill Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · South Mill Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto US 60 East: Mesa
1793 ft · 48 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway
25.3 mi · 29 min · Superstition Freeway
-
5
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi · 56 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway
-
6
Continue on Live Oak Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · Live Oak Street
-
7
Continue on US 60
4 mi · 8 min · US 60
-
8
Continue on North Broad Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Broad Street
-
9
Turn left onto North Broad Street
2703 ft · 1 min · North Broad Street
-
10
Turn left onto East Oak Street
112 m · 9 sec · East Oak Street
-
11
Turn right onto South Hill Street
1816 ft · 40 sec · South Hill Street
-
12
Turn left onto East Ash Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street
-
13
Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
70.4 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
-
15
Continue on West Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
-
16
Continue on West Thatcher Boulevard
2.3 mi · 5 min · West Thatcher Boulevard
-
17
Continue on West 5th Street
2561 ft · 1 min · West 5th Street
-
18
Turn right onto South 1st Avenue
46 m · 4 sec · South 1st Avenue
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tempe Junction and Safford.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
70.4 mi · 01h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Clear leaving Tempe Junction and Sunny near Safford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tempe Junction to Safford?
The road trip is about 156.6 miles (252 km) and usually takes 03h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Globe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.2 miles from Tempe Junction and 78.4 miles from Safford.
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 21.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:04 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.61 one way or $59.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Tempe Junction and Sunny near Safford.
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 Tempe Junction and Safford. Straight-line distance: 135.45 mi (217.98 km).
#1 Tempe Junction
A census-designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona.
| Population | 158,368 |
| Coordinates | 33.4142100, -111.9434800 |
| Altitude | 354 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Safford (-109.70758, 32.83395)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 252 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 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.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $29.61 | $59.21 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $31.92 | $63.84 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $33.28 | $66.57 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $38.07 | $76.14 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.