How far is Tempe Junction, AZ from Sun City, AZ?

The driving distance from Tempe Junction, AZ to Sun City, AZ is about 31.6 miles (50.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 22.7 miles (36.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
31.59 mi
00h 41m
Flight
22.77 mi
36.64 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Tempe Junction.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
22.77 mi
Kilometers
36.64 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
31.59 mi
Kilometers
50.84 km
Drive Time
00h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sun City
Fri, Apr 17, 2:18 AM MST
Return by in Tempe Junction
Fri, Apr 17, 2:59 AM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tempe Junction
2026-04-17T01:37
Arrive Sun City
Fri, Apr 17, 2:18 AM MST
Route Timing
00h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MST
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:41 AM to 7:41 PM MST

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:08 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Tempe Junction
10:00 PM MST
Flexible departure

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
Maryvale
AZ

Urban village in Phoenix, Arizona, United States

From Tempe Junction
15.8 mi
00h 20m
To Sun City
15.8 mi
00h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 10 mph WSW
Destination
84°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MST
Wind
0 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Tempe Junction and Sun City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction and Sun City.

  1. 1

    Start on West 13th Street

    72 m · 13 sec · West 13th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Farmer Avenue

    2642 ft · 2 min · South Farmer Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto West University Drive

    1.6 km · 2 min · West University Drive

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Priest Drive

    2752 ft · 1 min · South Priest Drive

  5. 5

    Continue on North Priest Drive

    3261 ft · 1 min · North Priest Drive

  6. 6

    Take the ramp left toward AZ 202 Loop West, AZ-143 South: Sky Harbor Airport

    739 ft · 18 sec · Red Mountain Freeeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on AZ 202 Loop West: Phoenix

    2008 ft · 36 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway

    4.3 mi · 5 min · Red Mountain Freeway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight left toward I 10 West

    1 mi · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight right onto Papago Freeway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway

  11. 11

    Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

    2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

  12. 12

    Continue on Papago Freeway

    10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North

    1.4 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Continue on Agua Fria Freeway

    8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward US 60

    1831 ft · 37 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Grand Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Grand Avenue

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Grand Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Tempe Junction and Sun City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
17 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
53.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Papago Freeway
11.8 mi · 37%
Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi · 28%
Red Mountain Freeway
4.32 mi · 14%
I 10 West
1.01 mi · 3%
West University Drive
0.97 mi · 3%
AZ 101 Loop North
0.88 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Papago Freeway

Continue on Papago Freeway

10.4 mi · 00h 12m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 41m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.9 mi
22.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Maryvale
00h 20m from Tempe Junction
Leave By
7:08 PM MST
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Tempe Junction and Sunny near Sun City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Tempe Junction to Sun City?

The road trip is about 31.6 miles (50.8 km) and usually takes 00h 41m 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 15.8 miles from Tempe Junction and 15.8 miles from Sun City.

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

The direct path is about 22.7 miles (36.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.9 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 7:08 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.50 one way or $10.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Tempe Junction and Sunny near Sun City.

Stop Ideas Near Maryvale

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Maryvale and the surrounding midpoint area.
Mastro's City Hall
Food stop 14.1 mi away

Mastro's City Hall

Scottsdale , AZ
6991 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, United States
Rating 4.6/5 1,194 reviews Fine dining restaurant,Restaurant,Steak house
The Phoenix Police Museum
Scenic stop 5.6 mi away

The Phoenix Police Museum

Phoenix , AZ
Historic City Hall, 17 S 2nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003, United States
Rating 4.7/5 201 reviews Tourist attraction,Children's museum,Historical landmark,Local history museum,History museum
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 7.8 mi away

City of Peoria Municipal Operations Center

Peoria , AZ
8850 N 79th Ave, Peoria, AZ 85345, United States
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City government office
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 5.5 mi away

Tolleson City Hall

Tolleson , AZ
9555 W Van Buren St, Tolleson, AZ 85353, United States
Rating 4.9/5 32 reviews City or town hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona

9 mi away
9617 North Metro Parkway West
BUS

Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona

15 mi away
2115 East Buckeye Road
BUS

Phoenix (Airport), Arizona

17 mi away
3400 East Sky Harbor Blvd.
RAIL

Maricopa

51 mi away
19427 N. John Wayne Parkway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Tempe Junction and Sun City. Straight-line distance: 22.77 mi (36.64 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Tempe Junction

A census-designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Population158,368
Coordinates33.4142100, -111.9434800
Altitude354
CountryUnited States
Sun City

#2 Sun City

Census designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Population37,499
Coordinates33.5975400, -112.2718200
Altitude348
CountryUnited States
Start: Tempe Junction (-111.94348, 33.41421)
End: Sun City (-112.27182, 33.59754)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 51 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.11 gal
4.22 L · about $5.50
Round trip
$10.99
2.22 gal · 8.44 L
Estimated CO2
9.9 kg one way
Round trip: 19.7 kg / 43 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $5.50 $10.99
Mid-grade $5.34 $5.93 $11.85
Premium $5.57 $6.18 $12.36
Diesel $6.37 $7.07 $14.13

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Tempe Junction and Sun City. The current time is 01:37:23.

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.