Huachuca City to Tempe is 176.4 miles and takes about 3h 12m via Casa Grande-Tucson Highway and Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Arizona, moving from the Desert Southwest region to another part of the Desert Southwest. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate experience. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel.
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
88.2 miles from Huachuca City, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.5 mi
55m
Tucson-Benson Highway
41.4 mi
43m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38.1 mi
38m
State Route 90
12 mi
13m
Huachuca Boulevard
9 mi
10m
South Freeway
6 mi
6m
Maricopa Freeway
5.9 mi
6m
Superstition Freeway
2.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Huachuca City, AZ and Tempe, AZ.
1
Start on this road
152 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Clark Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Clark Street
3
Turn right onto AZ 90
1.3 mi·2 min·North Huachuca Boulevard
4
Continue on AZ 90
12 mi·13 min·State Route 90
5
Continue on AZ 90
9.0 mi·10 min·Huachuca Boulevard
6
Continue on AZ 90
1.3 mi·2 min·South State Highway 90
7
Turn left
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
8
Merge onto I 10
41 mi·43 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi·6 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi·4 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi·51 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
5.9 mi·6 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 154Toward US 60 East: Mesa-GlobeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 154Toward US 60 East: Mesa Globe
16
Merge onto US 60
2.4 mi·2 min·Superstition Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 175Toward McClintock DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto South McClintock Drive
2.0 mi·4 min·South McClintock Drive
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto US 80 Hist
137 ft·10 sec·East Apache Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
US 80 Hist
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 12m duration, leaving Huachuca City in the morning allows ample time to reach Tempe before evening. Plan for one stop to break up the 176.4 miles; the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway offers the longest stretch at 54.5 miles, so consider timing your stop before or after this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $35, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially since much of the route is on surface roads. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your pace as needed.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 88.2 miles from Huachuca City, AZ, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.2 miles or 1h 37m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tempe, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Huachuca City, 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 Huachuca City, AZ
This is one driving day of about 176.4 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Huachuca City, 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 54.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.7 and 173.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
23.7 mi into trip|~29m in
Turn left toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon
6
75.4 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
170.2 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa-Globe
6
170.8 mi into trip|~3h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 60 East: Mesa Globe
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 154
Toward US 60 East: Mesa Globe
7
173.9 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward McClintock Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 175
Toward McClintock Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.14 one way
$70.28 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$37.19
$74.38
premium
$5.59
$38.83
$77.66
diesel
$5.61
$38.95
$77.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
16 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Shell Gas Station and Convenience Store - Tesla Supercharger
Tucson, AZ
Tesla
10 DCFC
Walmart 3807 (Benson, AZ)
Benson, AZ
Electrify America
4 DCFC
Environmental and General Services
Tucson, AZ
Blink Network
4 DCFC
Porsche - Tucson
Tucson, AZ
Non-Networked
2 DCFC
5151 E Broadway
Tucson, AZ
Non-Networked
2 DCFC
FasCharge 4614 Fast Market Valero Tucson Drexel Rd
Tucson, AZ
RED_E
2 DCFC
FasCharge 4611 Fast Market Valero Tucson Prince Rd
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.9
0
$18.52
$8.47
Efficient EV
44.1
0
$15.43
$7.06
EV Truck/SUV
70.6
0
$24.70
$11.29
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Huachuca City, AZ
Afternoon
in Huachuca City on Saturday
Local time
1:35 PM
MST
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Tempe, AZ
Afternoon
in Tempe on Saturday
Local time
1:35 PM
MST
Current temp
93°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
13 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 12m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
$25
near mile 54.7
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
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...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
Free
near mile 133.8
It was a journey of conquest filled with exploration, wonder - and cruelty. Inspired by tales of vast cities of gold, 339 European soldiers and over a thousand Aztec allies embarked on an epic journey...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features about 16% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 54.5 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. You'll notice a shift from highway cruising to navigating through populated areas as you approach your destination, with more frequent exits and intersections.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.5 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 176.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 23.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.4 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 170.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Huachuca City, AZ to Tempe, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscon along the way.
Tuscon
23.7 mi in|~29m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 176.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.5 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Tempe, AZ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.4 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 170.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Tempe, AZ, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
