Origin
Chandler, AZ
Afternoon in Chandler on Sunday
Local time
2:55 PM
MST
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chandler, AZ to Tucson, AZ
Drive Time
1h 54m
Distance
99 mi
159 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 46m
★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chandler, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Tucson, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Desert Southwest, the 99-mile trek from Chandler to Tucson is a straightforward option. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 54 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel, keeping the trip quite affordable. Navigating this route involves transitioning through North Arizona Avenue, the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, and the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. Because this journey stays entirely within the Arizona desert region, you will experience a consistent environment from start to finish. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes efficiency over complexity, allowing you to reach your destination without unnecessary logistical stress.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
49.5 miles from Chandler, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience as you make your way south. While you will spend about 10% of your time on highways, the route relies heavily on local roads that demand your full attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 54.6 miles along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, which provides the most consistent portion of the journey. Because of the technical nature of these local roads, the drive feels more involved than a simple interstate cruise. You will find that the personality of the road shifts as you navigate off the main highway stretches, so stay alert and ready for frequent turns throughout the nearly two-hour transit.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North Washington Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 54m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (East Buffalo Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Washington Street
Turn right onto North Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Buffalo Street
Turn right onto East Buffalo Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue
Turn left onto AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
13.6 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Merge onto I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
95.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m 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 | 23.5 mi | 23m |
| North Arizona Avenue | 6.9 mi | 11m |
| AZ 587 | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| North Freeway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| West Broadway Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 6m |
| West Congress Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Washington Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, AZ and Tucson, AZ.
1
Start on East Chandler Boulevard
357 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Chandler Boulevard
2
Turn right onto North Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
North Washington Street
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto East Buffalo Street
393 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Buffalo Street
4
Turn left onto AZ 87
6.9 mi
·
11 min
·
North Arizona Avenue
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on AZ 587
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
AZ 587
Use the none lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
7
Merge onto I 10
24 mi
·
23 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
55 mi
·
55 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on I 10
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 258
Toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto North Freeway Road
159 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Freeway Road
12
Turn left onto West Congress Street
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
West Congress Street
13
Continue on West Broadway Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West Broadway Boulevard
Use the none lane.
14
Turn left onto North Country Club Road
131 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Country Club Road
Use the none lane.
15
Arrive at destination
North Country Club Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With no mandatory stops built into the itinerary, you can easily complete the 99-mile distance in one go if you prefer to reach Tucson as quickly as possible. However, given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, ensure your vehicle is well-prepared for frequent adjustments in speed and direction. Keep your $20 fuel budget in mind as a baseline, but consider filling up before you leave Chandler to avoid potential price fluctuations on the road. The best approach is to enjoy the simplicity of the trip and use the lack of required stops to your advantage by setting your own pace.
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 49.5 miles from Chandler, AZ, or about 58m 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.5 miles or 58m 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 30m
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 Chandler, 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 Chandler, AZ
This is one driving day of about 99 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Chandler, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
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 49.5 mi from Chandler, AZ · 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.5 miles from Chandler, 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
$19.70 one way
$39.41 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $20.81 | $41.61 |
| premium | $5.59 | $21.78 | $43.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.99 | $43.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.40 | $4.75 |
| Efficient EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.66 | $3.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.86 | $6.34 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Afternoon in Tucson on Sunday
Local time
2:55 PM
MST
Current temp
53°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 54m 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 Chandler, AZ to Tucson, AZ covers 99 miles and takes about 1h 54m 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, North Arizona Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.5 miles from Chandler, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.70 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 54m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North Washington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (East Buffalo Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (AZ 87 / North Arizona Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Chandler, AZ to Tucson, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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