Drive Time
3h 52m
Distance
261.8 mi
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
The drive from Flagstaff, AZ to Tucson, AZ covers 261.8 miles and takes about 3h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Route 66, South Milton Road, Arizona Veterans Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.03 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
130.9 miles from Flagstaff, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 52m drive with frequent turns across 261.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Route 66 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Milton Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Arizona Veterans Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Black Canyon Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Black Canyon Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Maricopa Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Flagstaff, AZ and Tucson, AZ.
Start on West Historic Route 66
Turn slight left onto South Milton Road
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
Continue on North Black Canyon Highway
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Continue on North Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard
Turn straight onto North Freeway Road
Turn left onto West Congress Street
Continue on West Broadway Boulevard
Turn left onto North Country Club Road
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.9 miles or 1h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tucson, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Flagstaff, 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 Flagstaff, AZ
This is one driving day of about 261.8 miles and 3h 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 130.9 mi from Flagstaff, AZ · 1h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 130.9 miles from Flagstaff, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$51.03 one way
$102.06 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $55.02 | $110.04 |
| premium | $5.57 | $57.37 | $114.74 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $65.61 | $131.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.5 | 0 | $27.49 | $12.57 |
| Efficient EV | 65.5 | 0 | $22.91 | $10.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.7 | 1 | $36.65 | $16.76 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Flagstaff on Saturday
Local time
5:23 AM
MST
Current temp
30°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Tucson on Saturday
Local time
5:23 AM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
56°F
Surprise, AZ
131 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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