Origin
Buckeye, AZ
Morning in Buckeye on Thursday
Local time
7:35 AM
MST
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buckeye, AZ to Tucson, AZ
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 50m
Distance
151.7 mi
244 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 39m
★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buckeye, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Tucson, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 151.7-mile drive from Buckeye, AZ to Tucson, AZ is a straightforward, one-day trip that should take about 2 hours and 50 minutes. It's a budget-friendly option with an estimated fuel cost of $30. The route predominantly follows local roads, with about 26% of the journey on highways like the Papago Freeway and Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. You'll be traversing the Desert Southwest region throughout your trip, so expect arid landscapes. This drive is best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.9 miles from Buckeye, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 151.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (26%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for most of this 151.7-mile journey. While 26% of the route utilizes highways such as the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway and Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, a significant portion involves navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.6 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, offering a brief period of steady driving before you transition back to more varied road conditions. Be prepared for frequent adjustments and a dynamic driving experience.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 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 54.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near North 1st Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 151.7 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (North 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North 1st Street
Turn right onto North 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
4.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 114
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
5
5.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
38.5 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
I 10 / Papago Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Papago Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
148 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m 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 | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| Papago Freeway | 24.2 mi | 27m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 12.3 mi | 14m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 9.6 mi | 10m |
| South Miller Road | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| North Freeway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| West Broadway Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buckeye, AZ and Tucson, AZ.
1
Start on US 80 Hist
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
East Monroe Avenue
2
Turn right onto North 1st Street
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
North 1st Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on South Miller Road
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
South Miller Road
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 114
Toward I 10 East: Phoenix
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 10
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
8
Continue on I 10
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 10; US 60
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
55 mi
·
55 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 258
Toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto North Freeway Road
159 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Freeway Road
16
Turn left onto West Congress Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
West Congress Street
17
Continue on West Broadway Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West Broadway Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn left onto North Country Club Road
131 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Country Club Road
19
Arrive at destination
North Country Club Road
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour and 50-minute duration, this 151.7-mile trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures, especially in the Desert Southwest. You'll encounter one main stretch of highway driving for over 50 miles, so use that time for a quick snack or to adjust your playlist. With a fuel cost around $30, it's an economical choice. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive, perhaps in the vicinity of Casa Grande, to refuel or stretch your legs.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.9 miles from Buckeye, AZ, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 33 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.9 miles or 1h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 16m
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 Buckeye, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Buckeye, AZ
This is one driving day of about 151.7 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Buckeye, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.9 mi from Buckeye, AZ · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.9 miles from Buckeye, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Tucson, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.22 one way
$60.44 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $31.98 | $63.96 |
| premium | $5.59 | $33.39 | $66.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.49 | $66.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.5 | 0 | $15.93 | $7.28 |
| Efficient EV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.27 | $6.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.24 | $9.71 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Tucson, AZ
Morning in Tucson on Thursday
Local time
7:35 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
35 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
2h 50m 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 Buckeye, AZ to Tucson, AZ covers 151.7 miles and takes about 2h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Papago Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.9 miles from Buckeye, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.22 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 151.7 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (North 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (I 10 / Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Buckeye, AZ to Tucson, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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