Trip from Florence, AZ to Tucson, AZ

Drive Time

1h 36m

Distance

69.5 mi

112 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 30m ★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 51m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 40m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 32m

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

Downtown Florence, AZ, AZ

Florence, AZ

Efrem Efre

Downtown Tucson, AZ, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

Traveling from Florence to Tucson is a straightforward 69.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 36 minutes. This desert drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel will cover your transit through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Since the distance is relatively short, you have the flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. It is a practical, efficient route that connects two distinct hubs within Arizona while maintaining a consistent regional feel.

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

34.8 miles from Florence, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .

Drive Character

This highway-focused route consists of 61% highway driving, blending stretches of open road with local transition zones. You will navigate primarily via the Pinal Pioneer Parkway, North Oracle Road, and South Pinal Parkway Avenue as you head south. The longest uninterrupted segment covers 35.9 miles on the Pinal Pioneer Parkway, providing a steady rhythm for your drive. Expect the road character to evolve from the rural stretches near Florence into the more suburban transition of North Oracle Road as you approach Tucson. Maintaining focus is key during the longer highway portions where the landscape remains consistent.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pinal Pioneer Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pinal Pioneer Parkway and North Oracle Road. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near AZ 79 / South Pinal Parkway Avenue.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.5 miles (AZ 79 / South Pinal Parkway Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.9 miles (AZ 77; US 80 Hist / Tucson-Globe Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 60 miles (West Orange Grove Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

6
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | AZ 79 / South Pinal Parkway Avenue

Turn right onto AZ 79 / South Pinal Parkway Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
42.9 mi into trip | ~51m in | AZ 77; US 80 Hist / Tucson-Globe Highway

Turn right onto AZ 77; US 80 Hist / Tucson-Globe Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
4
60 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in | West Orange Grove Road

Turn left onto West Orange Grove Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
6
60.8 mi into trip | ~1h 19m in | North 1st Avenue

Turn right onto North 1st Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
64 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | North Campbell Avenue

Turn right onto North Campbell Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Pinal Pioneer Parkway 35.9 mi 41m
North Oracle Road 14 mi 21m
South Pinal Parkway Avenue 6.2 mi 8m
Tucson-Globe Highway 3.2 mi 4m
North Country Club Road 3 mi 6m
North 1st Avenue 1.9 mi 3m
North Campbell Avenue 1.5 mi 3m
East River Road 1.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Pinal Pioneer Parkway — 35.9 mi, about 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Main Street

42 ft · 8 sec · North Main Street
2

Turn left onto AZ 79 Bus; US 80 Hist

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Butte Avenue
3

Turn right onto AZ 79

6.2 mi · 8 min · South Pinal Parkway Avenue
Use the right lane.
4

Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist

36 mi · 41 min · Pinal Pioneer Parkway
Use the none lane.
5

Continue on AZ 79; US 80 Hist

0.4 mi · 29 sec · State Route 79
6

Turn right onto AZ 77; US 80 Hist

3.2 mi · 4 min · Tucson-Globe Highway
Use the right lane.
7

Continue on AZ 77

14 mi · 21 min · North Oracle Road
Use the left / none lanes.
8

Turn left onto West Orange Grove Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Orange Grove Road
Use the none lane.
9

Turn right onto North 1st Avenue

1.9 mi · 3 min · North 1st Avenue
Use the right lane.
10

Turn left onto East River Road

1.2 mi · 2 min · East River Road
Use the none lane.
11

Turn right onto North Campbell Avenue

1.5 mi · 3 min · North Campbell Avenue
Use the right lane.
12

Turn left onto East Fort Lowell Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Fort Lowell Road
13

Turn right onto North Country Club Road

3.0 mi · 6 min · North Country Club Road
14

Continue on North Country Club Road

182 ft · 15 sec · North Country Club Road
Use the none lane.
15

Arrive at destination

North Country Club Road

Trip Plan

Because this is a manageable 1.5-hour drive, you don't need to worry about intensive, multi-day planning or complex stop schedules. Since there are no mandatory stops built into this 69.5-mile itinerary, you can easily adjust your pace to suit your needs. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will be quite minimal at roughly $14, making this an economical trip to execute. Before heading out, check your vehicle’s fluids and tire pressure, as the desert heat can be demanding on your engine during the longer highway stretches. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; feel free to leave whenever you are ready to make the quick transition between these two Arizona cities.

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 34.8 miles from Florence, AZ, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 69.5 miles or 1h 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 34.8 miles or 41m 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 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 Florence, 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 Florence, AZ

This is one driving day of about 69.5 miles and 1h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Florence, 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 Pinal Pioneer Parkway for about 35.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 34.8 mi from Florence, AZ · 41m into the drive

Downtown Casa Grande, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Casa Grande, AZ

35 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

Casa Grande, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Casa Grande, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 34.8 miles from Florence, 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

$13.83 one way

$27.66 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $14.61 $29.21
premium $5.59 $15.29 $30.57
diesel $5.64 $15.44 $30.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 24.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 20.8 0 $7.30 $3.34
Efficient EV 17.4 0 $6.08 $2.78
EV Truck/SUV 27.8 0 $9.73 $4.45

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Florence, AZ

Afternoon in Florence on Sunday

Local time

4:05 PM

MST

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tucson, AZ

Afternoon in Tucson on Sunday

Local time

4:05 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

2 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 36m 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 Florence, AZ to Tucson, AZ covers 69.5 miles and takes about 1h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pinal Pioneer Parkway, North Oracle Road, South Pinal Parkway Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.8 miles from Florence, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.83 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.5 miles (AZ 79 / South Pinal Parkway Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 42.9 miles (AZ 77; US 80 Hist / Tucson-Globe Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 60 miles (West Orange Grove Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Florence, AZ to Tucson, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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