How far is Tempe, AZ from Lake Havasu City, AZ?
The driving distance from Tempe, AZ to Lake Havasu City, AZ is about 227.2 miles (365.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 156.8 miles (252.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 56m 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 58m.
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.
Census-designated place in La Paz County, Arizona, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tempe and Lake Havasu City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe and Lake Havasu City.
-
1
Start on East Apache Boulevard
925 ft · 25 sec · East Apache Boulevard
-
2
Turn right onto South Una Butte Avenue
98 m · 11 sec · South Una Butte Avenue
-
3
Turn right
7 m · 1 sec
-
4
Turn right onto South Butte Avenue
77 m · 11 sec · South Butte Avenue
-
5
Turn right onto East 12th Street
818 ft · 33 sec · East 12th Street
-
6
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · South McClintock Drive
-
7
Take the ramp left toward AZ 202 Loop West
1593 ft · 41 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Red Mountain Freeway
7.5 mi · 9 min · Red Mountain Freeway
-
9
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 West
1 mi · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight right onto Papago Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Papago Freeway
-
11
Continue on Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
2756 ft · 36 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
-
12
Continue on Papago Freeway
19.6 mi · 23 min · Papago Freeway
-
13
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
105 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward US 95, AZ 95: Parker, Yuma
1851 ft · 42 sec
-
15
Turn right onto Riggles Road
561 ft · 17 sec · Riggles Road
-
16
Turn left onto East Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
-
17
Turn right onto North Central Boulevard
3.1 mi · 3 min · North Central Boulevard
-
18
Continue on Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
19.6 mi · 22 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
-
19
Turn left onto Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
11.4 mi · 13 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
-
20
Continue on California Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · California Avenue
-
21
Turn right onto Rio Vista Highway
4.4 mi · 6 min · Rio Vista Highway
-
22
Continue on Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
6.6 mi · 7 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
-
23
Continue on Riverside Drive
7.1 mi · 8 min · Riverside Drive
-
24
Continue on Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
17.1 mi · 20 min · Quartzsite–Parker–Topock Highway
-
25
Turn right onto South Acoma Boulevard
3.1 mi · 6 min · South Acoma Boulevard
-
26
Turn right onto Smoketree Avenue North
930 ft · 27 sec · Smoketree Avenue North
-
27
Turn right onto Mescal Loop
16 m · 2 sec · Mescal Loop
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mescal Loop
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tempe and Lake Havasu City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
105 mi · 01h 46m
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.
Sunny leaving Tempe and Sunny near Lake Havasu City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tempe to Lake Havasu City?
The road trip is about 227.2 miles (365.7 km) and usually takes 03h 58m 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?
Salome is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.9 miles from Tempe and 121.3 miles from Lake Havasu City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 156.8 miles (252.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 70.4 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 9:04 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.71 one way or $79.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Tempe and Sunny near Lake Havasu City.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tempe and Lake Havasu City. Straight-line distance: 156.79 mi (252.33 km).
#1 Tempe
The third most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 200,402 |
| Coordinates | 33.4147700, -111.9093100 |
| Altitude | 360 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Havasu City
A city in Mohave County, Arizona.
| Population | 55,865 |
| Coordinates | 34.4839000, -114.3224500 |
| Altitude | 225 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mescal Loop (-114.322535, 34.483857)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 366 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $39.71 | $79.41 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $42.81 | $85.62 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $44.64 | $89.28 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $51.06 | $102.11 |
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 · Jun 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.