How far is Tempe, AZ from El Mirage, AZ?

The driving distance from Tempe, AZ to El Mirage, AZ is about 37.3 miles (60.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 39m 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
37.34 mi
00h 49m
Flight
27.57 mi
44.37 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Tempe.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.57 mi
Kilometers
44.37 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
37.34 mi
Kilometers
60.09 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in El Mirage
Tue, May 12, 8:24 PM MST
Return by in Tempe
Tue, May 12, 9:14 PM MST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Tempe
2026-05-12T19:35
Arrive El Mirage
Tue, May 12, 8:24 PM MST
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:50 AM to 10:50 AM MST

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

Leave by
4:50 PM MST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Tempe
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
Maryvale
AZ

Urban village in Phoenix, Arizona, United States

From Tempe
18.6 mi
00h 24m
To El Mirage
18.7 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
106°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 mph S
Destination
106°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM MST
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Tempe and El Mirage.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tempe and El Mirage.

  1. 1

    Start on East Apache Boulevard

    925 ft · 25 sec · East Apache Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Una Butte Avenue

    98 m · 11 sec · South Una Butte Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right

    7 m · 1 sec

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Butte Avenue

    77 m · 11 sec · South Butte Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn right onto East 12th Street

    818 ft · 35 sec · East 12th Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto South McClintock Drive

    1.4 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left toward AZ 202 Loop West

    1593 ft · 41 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway

    7.5 mi · 9 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

    3.4 mi · 6 min · Grand Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West Thunderbird Road

    1.1 km · 1 min · West Thunderbird Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto North El Mirage Road

    1476 ft · 51 sec · North El Mirage Road

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North El Mirage Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Tempe and El Mirage.

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
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
50.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Papago Freeway
11.8 mi · 32%
Agua Fria Freeway
8.8 mi · 24%
Red Mountain Freeway
7.55 mi · 20%
Grand Avenue
3.35 mi · 9%
South McClintock Drive
1.41 mi · 4%
I 10 West
1.01 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 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 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.7 mi
27.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Maryvale
00h 24m from Tempe
Leave By
4:50 PM MST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Tempe and Sunny near El Mirage.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Tempe to El Mirage?

The road trip is about 37.3 miles (60.1 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?

Maryvale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.6 miles from Tempe and 18.7 miles from El Mirage.

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

The direct path is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.7 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 4:50 PM MST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.54 one way or $13.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Tempe and Sunny near El Mirage.

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 14.8 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 6.3 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 7.5 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 4.9 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 and El Mirage. Straight-line distance: 27.57 mi (44.37 km).

Tempe

#1 Tempe

The third most populous city in Arizona.

Population200,402
Coordinates33.4147700, -111.9093100
Altitude360
CountryUnited States
El Mirage

#2 El Mirage

City in Arizona

Population36,481
Coordinates33.6130900, -112.3246000
Altitude349
CountryUnited States
Start: Tempe (-111.90931, 33.41477)
End: El Mirage (-112.3246, 33.61309)

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 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.32 gal
4.99 L · about $6.54
Round trip
$13.07
2.64 gal · 9.98 L
Estimated CO2
11.7 kg one way
Round trip: 23.5 kg / 52 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $6.54 $13.07
Mid-grade $5.34 $7.05 $14.09
Premium $5.57 $7.35 $14.69
Diesel $6.37 $8.40 $16.81

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Tempe and El Mirage. The current time is 19:35:07.

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.