How far is Tempe, AZ from Thatcher, AZ?
The driving distance from Tempe, AZ to Thatcher, AZ is about 151.6 miles (244 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.4 miles (209.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 37m 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 18m.
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.
City in and county seat of Gila 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 Thatcher.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe and Thatcher.
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1
Start on East Apache Boulevard
925 ft · 28 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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2
Continue on East Apache Boulevard
1053 ft · 38 sec · East Apache Boulevard
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3
Turn right onto South McClintock Drive
2 mi · 4 min · South McClintock Drive
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4
Turn left onto US 60 East: Globe
2243 ft · 59 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Superstition Freeway
23.5 mi · 27 min · Superstition Freeway
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6
Continue on Phoenix–Globe Highway
43 mi · 56 min · Phoenix–Globe Highway
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7
Continue on Live Oak Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · Live Oak Street
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8
Continue on US 60
4 mi · 8 min · US 60
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9
Continue on North Broad Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Broad Street
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10
Turn left onto North Broad Street
2703 ft · 1 min · North Broad Street
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11
Turn left onto East Oak Street
112 m · 9 sec · East Oak Street
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12
Turn right onto South Hill Street
1816 ft · 40 sec · South Hill Street
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13
Turn left onto East Ash Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · East Ash Street
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14
Continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
70.4 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Globe-Lordsburg Highway
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16
Continue on West Main Street
2842 ft · 1 min · West Main Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tempe and Thatcher.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Globe-Lordsburg Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Globe-Lordsburg Highway
70.4 mi · 01h 27m
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 Thatcher.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Tempe to Thatcher?
The road trip is about 151.6 miles (244 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Globe is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.7 miles from Tempe and 75.9 miles from Thatcher.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.4 miles (209.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 10:22 AM MST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.49 one way or $52.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Tempe and Sunny near Thatcher.
Stop Ideas Near Globe
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Globe.
Phoenix (Airport), Arizona
Phoenix (Greyhound), Arizona
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tempe and Thatcher. Straight-line distance: 130.39 mi (209.84 km).
#1 Tempe
The third most populous city in Arizona.
| Population | 200,402 |
| Coordinates | 33.4147700, -111.9093100 |
| Altitude | 360 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Thatcher
Town in Graham County, Arizona, United States
| Population | 5,264 |
| Coordinates | 32.8492300, -109.7592500 |
| Altitude | 887 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thatcher (-109.75925, 32.84923)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 244 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.95 | $26.49 | $52.98 |
| Mid-grade | $5.34 | $28.56 | $57.12 |
| Premium | $5.57 | $29.78 | $59.56 |
| Diesel | $6.37 | $34.06 | $68.12 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.