Origin
Sahuarita, AZ
Afternoon in Sahuarita on Sunday
Local time
4:46 PM
MST
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sahuarita, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
132.7 mi
214 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 16m
★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sahuarita, AZ
Tom Fisk
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Sahuarita to Phoenix, you are looking at a straightforward 133-mile trek through the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect to spend about two hours behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your journey will take you along I-19 North, the Nogales–Tucson Highway, and finally I-10 West. With a fuel budget of approximately $26, the trip is quite economical for a quick transition between these two Arizona hubs. Since the entire route remains within the same region, you will experience a consistent high-desert landscape throughout the duration of your travel.
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
66.4 miles from Sahuarita, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive that feels more like a turn-heavy local navigation than a mindless highway cruise. While you will eventually merge onto I-10 West, the initial segments involve shifting through I-19 North and local highway corridors. Because there is no significant highway-only stretch, you should remain alert for frequent transitions and road changes. The longest uninterrupted stretch on I-19 North is negligible, meaning you will need to pay close attention to your navigation as you move through the connecting segments. It is a practical, functional route that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently rather than providing a long-distance interstate haul.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 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?
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 2.1 miles in near I 19 / Nogales–Tucson Highway.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 132.7 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 2.1 miles (I 19 / Nogales–Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.9 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.7 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 19 / Nogales–Tucson Highway
Merge onto I 19 / Nogales–Tucson Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
27.9 mi into trip
|
~34m 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.
8
128.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
|
US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
8
130.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
6
132.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.5 mi | 55m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 38.1 mi | 38m |
| Nogales–Tucson Highway | 16 mi | 19m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| South Freeway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| East Sahuarita Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South 7th Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| East Washington Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sahuarita, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on East Sahuarita Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
East Sahuarita Road
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 19 North: Tucson
3
Merge onto I 19
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Nogales–Tucson Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 10 West: Phoenix
5
Merge onto I 10
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Maricopa Freeway
13
Turn right onto South 7th Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South 7th Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short two-hour journey, you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to your departure time. You can easily complete the 133-mile distance without needing to plan for formal stops, though keeping your fuel budget of $26 in mind is a good habit for your arrival in Phoenix. Watch the traffic patterns carefully when transitioning from the local highways onto the I-10 West corridor, as congestion can fluctuate depending on the time of day. Because there are zero planned stops on this route, make sure you are fueled up and ready to go before leaving Sahuarita to ensure a seamless experience. Aim to travel during off-peak hours to keep the drive time closer to the two-hour mark.
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 66.4 miles from Sahuarita, AZ, or about 1h 13m 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 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.4 miles or 1h 13m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sahuarita, 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 Sahuarita, AZ
This is one driving day of about 132.7 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sahuarita, 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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.4 mi from Sahuarita, AZ · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 66.4 miles from Sahuarita, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
The final approach into Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, 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
$26.41 one way
$52.82 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $27.89 | $55.78 |
| premium | $5.59 | $29.19 | $58.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.48 | $58.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.93 | $6.37 |
| Efficient EV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.61 | $5.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.1 | 0 | $18.58 | $8.49 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
4:46 PM
MST
Current temp
61°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
2h 25m 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 Sahuarita, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 132.7 miles and takes about 2h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Nogales–Tucson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.4 miles from Sahuarita, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.41 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 is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 132.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (I 19 / Nogales–Tucson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.9 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.7 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Sahuarita, AZ to Phoenix, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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