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Trip from Blackwater, AZ to Tucson, AZ

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 39m

Distance

75.4 mi

121 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 32m ★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Blackwater, AZ, AZ

Blackwater, AZ

Yanming Guo

city in and county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States

Tucson, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Blackwater, AZ to Tucson, AZ covers 75.4 miles and takes about 1h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Junction I-10-Mesa Highway, North Arizona Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 42.7 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.02 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

37.7 miles from Blackwater, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 75.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (22%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 39m drive with frequent turns across 75.4 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 42.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near Skousen Road.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 39m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (Skousen Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (AZ 87 / Junction I-10-Mesa Highway): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (AZ 87; AZ 287 / North Arizona Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 6 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
1.4 mi into trip | ~2m in | Skousen Road

At end of road, turn right onto Skousen Road

Navigation decision point

4
3.4 mi into trip | ~7m in | AZ 87 / Junction I-10-Mesa Highway

Turn left onto AZ 87 / Junction I-10-Mesa Highway

Navigation decision point

6
5.4 mi into trip | ~10m in | AZ 87; AZ 287 / North Arizona Boulevard

Turn right onto AZ 87; AZ 287 / North Arizona Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
25.4 mi into trip | ~42m in | I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Merge onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
71.7 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Take the exit toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 258 Toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway 42.7 mi 43m
Junction I-10-Mesa Highway 12.7 mi 18m
North Arizona Boulevard 8.6 mi 14m
North Freeway 3.6 mi 4m
West Broadway Boulevard 2.9 mi 6m
Skousen Road 2 mi 4m
Blackwater School Road 1.4 mi 2m
West Congress Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Casa Grande-Tucson Highway — 42.7 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Blackwater, AZ and Tucson, AZ.

1

Start on Blackwater School Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · Blackwater School Road
2

At end of road, turn right onto Skousen Road

2.0 mi · 4 min · Skousen Road
3

Turn left onto AZ 87

2.0 mi · 2 min · Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
4

Turn right onto AZ 87; AZ 287

8.6 mi · 14 min · North Arizona Boulevard
Use the right lane.
5

Continue on AZ 87

11 mi · 15 min · Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
6

Turn left

0.8 mi · 1 min
7

Merge onto I 10

43 mi · 43 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 10

3.6 mi · 4 min · North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 44 sec
Exit 258 Toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Turn straight onto North Freeway Road

159 ft · 4 sec · North Freeway Road
11

Turn left onto West Congress Street

0.3 mi · 56 sec · West Congress Street
12

Continue on West Broadway Boulevard

2.9 mi · 6 min · West Broadway Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
13

Turn left onto North Country Club Road

131 ft · 8 sec · North Country Club Road
14

Arrive at destination

North Country Club Road

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 37.7 miles from Blackwater, AZ, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 17 miles or 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 37.7 miles or 54m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tucson, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Blackwater, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Blackwater, AZ

This is one driving day of about 75.4 miles and 1h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Blackwater, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 42.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 37.7 mi from Blackwater, AZ · 54m into the drive

town in Pima and Pinal counties in Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marana, AZ

38 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Marana, AZ to Tucson, AZ

25.4 mi · 36m

Pacing Suggestions

Eloy, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Avra Valley, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 37.7 miles from Blackwater, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Tucson, AZ

The final approach into Tucson, AZ usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

National Monument

An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...

1 mi from route ~1 min detour Free near mile 5.2
View on nps.gov
Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park

National Park

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour $25 near mile 75.4
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.02 one way

$30.04 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 26 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $15.90 $31.79
premium $5.59 $16.60 $33.19
diesel $5.61 $16.65 $33.29

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 26.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 22.6 0 $7.92 $3.62
Efficient EV 18.9 0 $6.60 $3.02
EV Truck/SUV 30.2 0 $10.56 $4.83

Gas CO2

26 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (65% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026

Origin

Blackwater, AZ

Late night in Blackwater on Friday

Local time

3:51 AM

MST

Current temp

92°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tucson, AZ

Late night in Tucson on Friday

Local time

3:51 AM

MST

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

38 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 39m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Blackwater, AZ to Tucson, AZ covers 75.4 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Junction I-10-Mesa Highway, North Arizona Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 37.7 miles from Blackwater, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.02 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This is a straightforward 1h 39m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (Skousen Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.4 miles (AZ 87 / Junction I-10-Mesa Highway): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles (AZ 87; AZ 287 / North Arizona Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Blackwater, AZ to Tucson, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Saguaro National Park.

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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