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Trip from Huachuca City, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 10m

Distance

174.2 mi

280 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 59m ★
6 AM
3h 11m
8 AM
3h 34m
10 AM
3h 19m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 33m
8 PM
3h 4m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Download GPX
Downtown Huachuca City, AZ, AZ

Huachuca City, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Downtown Tempe Junction, AZ, AZ

Tempe Junction, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

The drive from Huachuca City, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 174.2 miles and takes about 3h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.5 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.70 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

87.1 miles from Huachuca City, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m 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 5.8 mi 6m
South Priest Drive 2 mi 4m
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 Junction, 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

5.8 mi · 6 min · Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Exit 155 Toward Baseline Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn right onto West Baseline Road

0.2 mi · 34 sec · West Baseline Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16

Turn left onto South Priest Drive

2.0 mi · 4 min · South Priest Drive
Use the left lane.
17

Turn right onto West Broadway Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Broadway Road
Use the right lane.
18

Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Roosevelt Street
Use the left lane.
19

At end of road, turn right onto West 13th Street

0.3 mi · 47 sec · West 13th Street
20

Arrive at destination

West 13th Street

Trip Plan

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 87.1 miles from Huachuca City, AZ, or about 1h 36m 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 38 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 87.1 miles or 1h 36m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tempe Junction, 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 174.2 miles and 3h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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.

city in Pima County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

South Tucson, AZ

87 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

Tanque Verde, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marana, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.1 miles from Huachuca City, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Rainforest Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Tempe, Arizona

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 174.2

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14807529100

Visit website

Rainforest Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 174.2

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14807529100

Visit website

Cafe Desta

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 62.2

Tucson, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15203707000

Visit website

Coronet Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 62.2

Tucson, Arizona

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+15204445243

Visit website

Tempe Festival of the Arts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 174.2

Tempe, Arizona

+14803556060

Visit website

Tempe Town Lake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 174.2

Tempe, Arizona

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 174.2

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+14805657081

Visit website

Villago Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 136.8

Casa Grande, Arizona

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+15204218600

Visit website

Amusement Park Rides RandRrides(Phoenix Park & Swap)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 174.2

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: Closed

+14809958653

Visit website

Riverview Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 174.2

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14806442352

Visit website

Tyrannostorus

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 174.2

Mesa, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+14805974467

Visit website

Arizona History Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 62.2

Tucson, Arizona

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+15206285774

Visit website

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 172.7 — 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 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in

Take the exit toward Baseline Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 155 Toward Baseline Road
6
170.6 mi into trip | ~3h 3m in | South Priest Drive

Turn left onto South Priest Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
172.7 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in | West Broadway Road

Turn right onto West Broadway Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.70 one way

$69.41 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $36.73 $73.45
premium $5.59 $38.34 $76.69
diesel $5.61 $38.46 $76.92

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: 60.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.3 0 $18.29 $8.36
Efficient EV 43.6 0 $15.24 $6.97
EV Truck/SUV 69.7 0 $24.39 $11.15

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Huachuca City, AZ

Afternoon in Huachuca City on Saturday

Local time

1:36 PM

MST

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tempe Junction, AZ

Afternoon in Tempe Junction on Saturday

Local time

1:36 PM

MST

Current temp

90°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

10 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 10m 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

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
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
View on nps.gov
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

National Monument

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...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free near mile 132.1
View on nps.gov
Coronado National Memorial

Coronado National Memorial

National Memorial

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...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 3h 10m drive with frequent turns across 174.2 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 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 54.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 23.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

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

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 174.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 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 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 Junction, 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 10m. Total distance: 174.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (14%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Huachuca City, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ covers 174.2 miles and takes about 3h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 87.1 miles from Huachuca City, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.70 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

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 174.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from Huachuca City, AZ to Tempe Junction, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscon along the way.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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