Origin
Mesa, AZ
Afternoon in Mesa on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
MST
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mesa, AZ to Tombstone, AZ
Drive Time
3h 29m
Distance
175.9 mi
283 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 17m
★
6 AM
3h 29m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 35m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 52m
8 PM
3h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mesa, AZ
Zsolt Pujsz
Tombstone, AZ
Brett Sayles
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 175.9-mile journey from Mesa to Tombstone is a straightforward venture that fits perfectly into a single-day itinerary. You can expect to spend about 3 hours and 29 minutes behind the wheel as you navigate from the heart of the Desert Southwest toward your historic destination. Plan on setting aside roughly $35 for fuel to cover the trip in its entirety. While the drive is manageable in one go, the route’s turn-heavy nature at the end makes it feel more like an engaging local excursion than a simple highway slog. Because you stay within the same state and region, the transition between these two Arizona hubs remains consistent, making it an easy trip to plan for a quick getaway.
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
87.9 miles from Mesa, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a varied experience that shifts from high-speed transit to a more technical pace as you approach the destination. You will navigate a mix of roads including the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, the Tucson-Benson Highway, and AZ 80, with only 22% of the journey spent on major highways. The longest uninterrupted section is a 54.6-mile stretch on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, which provides a steady rhythm before the drive transitions into a more turn-heavy, local road environment. By the time you reach the final segments, the road demands more of your attention, offering a distinct shift in driving style compared to the initial interstate portions.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 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. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East University Drive.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 175.9 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: near the start (East University Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (AZ 87 / North Country Club Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles (I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East University Drive
Depart onto East University Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
AZ 87 / North Country Club Drive
Turn left onto AZ 87 / North Country Club Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
22.5 mi into trip
|
~37m 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.
6
149.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
|
I 10 Business
Take the exit onto I 10 Business toward I 10 Business: Tombstone, Douglas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 303
Toward I 10 Business: Tombstone, Douglas
5
175.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Mesa, AZ to Tombstone, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Douglas along the way.
Douglas
149.6 mi in
|
~2h 48m
|
via I 10 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 42.9 mi | 44m |
| AZ 80 | 23.7 mi | 35m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 23.5 mi | 23m |
| North Arizona Avenue | 11 mi | 18m |
| AZ 587 | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| North Freeway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| North Country Club Drive | 4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesa, AZ and Tombstone, AZ.
1
Start on East University Drive
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East University Drive
Use the none lane.
2
Turn left onto AZ 87
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
North Country Club Drive
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on AZ 87
11 mi
·
18 min
·
North Arizona Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on AZ 587
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
AZ 587
Use the none lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
6
Merge onto I 10
24 mi
·
23 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10
55 mi
·
55 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on I 10
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
43 mi
·
44 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit onto I 10 Business
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
I 10 Business
Exit 303
Toward I 10 Business: Tombstone, Douglas
11
Continue on I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 10 BUS, AZ 80: Benson, Douglas
Use the none lane.
12
Turn slight right onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
AZ 80; US 80 Hist
13
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
24 mi
·
35 min
·
AZ 80; US 80 Hist
14
Turn right onto North 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North 4th Street
15
Turn right
295 ft
·
21 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 29-minute trek, aim for an early morning departure to avoid peak traffic and allow plenty of time for your one planned stop. Since this is a turn-heavy route, keep a close eye on your fuel levels before leaving the main highway corridors, as the final stretch on AZ 80 can be more winding than the initial miles. You have the advantage of total flexibility with this trip, as it is short enough to handle easily in a single day without needing an overnight split. Use your one designated stop strategically to stretch your legs after the long, 54.6-mile stretch on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, ensuring you stay alert for the more technical roads that follow.
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 87.9 miles from Mesa, AZ, or about 1h 44m 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.9 miles or 1h 44m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tombstone, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mesa, 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 Mesa, AZ
This is one driving day of about 175.9 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mesa, 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 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.9 mi from Mesa, AZ · 1h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 87.9 miles from Mesa, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tombstone, AZ
The final approach into Tombstone, 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 Tombstone, 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
$35.01 one way
$70.01 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $36.97 | $73.93 |
| premium | $5.59 | $38.69 | $77.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $39.08 | $78.16 |
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: 61.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.47 | $8.44 |
| Efficient EV | 44 | 0 | $15.39 | $7.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.63 | $11.26 |
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.
Destination
Tombstone, AZ
Afternoon in Tombstone on Sunday
Local time
4:06 PM
MST
Current temp
45°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
14 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
3h 29m 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 Mesa, AZ to Tombstone, AZ covers 175.9 miles and takes about 3h 29m 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, AZ 80. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87.9 miles from Mesa, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.01 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 175.9 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: near the start (East University Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (AZ 87 / North Country Club Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.5 miles (I 10 / Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Mesa, AZ to Tombstone, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Douglas along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Tombstone, AZ
More trips to Tombstone, AZ
Explore more options from Mesa, AZ or browse trips ending in Tombstone, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Mesa, AZ or Tombstone, AZ on MapSof.net.