How far is Tempe, AZ from Gila Bend, AZ?
The driving distance from Tempe, AZ to Gila Bend, AZ is about 80 miles (128.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 56.7 miles (91.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 18m 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 01h 39m.
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.
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona
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 and Gila Bend.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe and Gila Bend.
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1
Start on East Apache Boulevard
925 ft · 25 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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2
Turn right onto South Una Butte Avenue
98 m · 11 sec · South Una Butte Avenue
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3
Turn right
7 m · 1 sec
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4
Turn right onto South Butte Avenue
77 m · 11 sec · South Butte Avenue
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5
Turn right onto East 12th Street
818 ft · 35 sec · East 12th Street
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6
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive
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7
Take the ramp left toward AZ 202 Loop West
1593 ft · 41 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway
7.5 mi · 9 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
19.6 mi · 23 min · Papago Freeway
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13
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
11.9 mi · 13 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward AZ 85: Yuma, San Diego
1.1 mi · 2 min
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15
Continue on South Oglesby Road
3.6 mi · 5 min · South Oglesby Road
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16
Continue on Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
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17
Continue on Arizona State Highway 85
28.1 mi · 33 min · Arizona State Highway 85
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18
Take the exit slight right toward AZ-85 South: Gila Bend
3011 ft · 1 min · Gila Bend-Buckeye Highway
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19
Continue on Arizona State Highway 85
1775 ft · 43 sec · Arizona State Highway 85
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20
Continue on East Pima Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · East Pima Street
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21
Turn right onto North Martin Avenue
51 m · 8 sec · North Martin Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Martin Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tempe and Gila Bend.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Arizona State Highway 85
Continue on Arizona State Highway 85
28.1 mi · 00h 33m
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.
Sunny leaving Tempe and Sunny near Gila Bend.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tempe to Gila Bend?
The road trip is about 80 miles (128.7 km) and usually takes 01h 39m 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?
Buckeye is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40 miles from Tempe and 40 miles from Gila Bend.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 56.7 miles (91.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 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 3:12 PM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.96 one way or $27.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Tempe and Sunny near Gila Bend.
Stop Ideas Near Buckeye
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Arizona Department of Economic Security
Avondale City Water Billing
City of Buckeye, City Hall
City of Buckeye GIS
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buckeye.
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 and Gila Bend. Straight-line distance: 56.76 mi (91.34 km).
#1 Tempe
The third most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 200,402 |
| Coordinates | 33.4147700, -111.9093100 |
| Altitude | 360 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gila Bend
Town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 2,118 |
| Coordinates | 32.9478200, -112.7168300 |
| Altitude | 224 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gila Bend (-112.71683, 32.94782)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 129 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $13.96 | $27.92 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $15.05 | $30.11 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $15.70 | $31.39 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $17.95 | $35.90 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.