How far is Tempe Junction, AZ from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance from Tempe Junction, AZ to Surprise, AZ is about 36.3 miles (58.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 27 miles (43.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 46m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tempe Junction and Surprise.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction and Surprise.
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1
Start on West 13th Street
72 m · 13 sec · West 13th Street
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2
Turn right onto South Farmer Avenue
2642 ft · 2 min · South Farmer Avenue
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3
Turn left onto West University Drive
1.6 km · 2 min · West University Drive
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4
Turn right onto South Priest Drive
2752 ft · 1 min · South Priest Drive
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5
Continue on North Priest Drive
3261 ft · 1 min · North Priest Drive
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6
Take the ramp left toward AZ 202 Loop West, AZ-143 South: Sky Harbor Airport
739 ft · 18 sec · Red Mountain Freeeway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on AZ 202 Loop West: Phoenix
2008 ft · 36 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway
4.3 mi · 5 min · Red Mountain Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 West
1 mi · 1 min
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10
Merge slight right onto Papago Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
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11
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
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12
Continue on Papago Freeway
10.4 mi · 12 min · Papago Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 101 Loop North
1.4 km · 1 min
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14
Continue on Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi · 10 min · Agua Fria Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US 60
1831 ft · 37 sec
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16
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
4.7 mi · 8 min · Grand Avenue
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17
Turn right onto West Greenway Road
65 m · 11 sec · West Greenway Road
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18
Turn left onto Santa Fe Drive
1322 ft · 33 sec · Santa Fe Drive
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19
Turn right onto North Nash Street
1464 ft · 50 sec · North Nash Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Nash Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tempe Junction and Surprise.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Clear leaving Tempe Junction and Clear near Surprise.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tempe Junction to Surprise?
The road trip is about 36.3 miles (58.4 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?
Tolleson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18 miles from Tempe Junction and 18.3 miles from Surprise.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 27 miles (43.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.3 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 4:56 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.34 one way or $12.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Tempe Junction and Clear near Surprise.
Stop Ideas Near Tolleson
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
The Phoenix Police Museum
Surprise City Hall
Tolleson City Hall
City Hall Parking
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Tolleson.
Phoenix (Metro Center Transit Station), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Maricopa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tempe Junction and Surprise. Straight-line distance: 26.97 mi (43.41 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 Surprise
The seventh most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 147,965 |
| Coordinates | 33.6305900, -112.3332200 |
| Altitude | 358 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Nash Street (-112.333445, 33.630589)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $6.34 | $12.67 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $6.83 | $13.67 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $7.12 | $14.25 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $8.15 | $16.30 |
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 · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.