Origin
Scottsdale, AZ
Afternoon in Scottsdale on Wednesday
Local time
2:15 PM
MST
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
2h 35m
Distance
141.4 mi
227 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scottsdale, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Scottsdale, AZ to Corona de Tucson, AZ covers 141.4 miles and takes about 2h 35m 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, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.6 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.17 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
70.7 miles from Scottsdale, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 35m drive with frequent turns across 141.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
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 15.3 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 141.4 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 15.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork toward AZ 202 Loop West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 10 West: Tucson, Phoenix
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Houghton Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward Pima County Fairgrounds, Motorsports Facilities
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Scottsdale, AZ to Corona de Tucson, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Phoenix along the way.
Phoenix
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 14.6 mi | 16m |
| Price Freeway | 9.4 mi | 10m |
| South Houghton Road | 6.8 mi | 11m |
| North Freeway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| Pima Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| Santan Freeway | 3.1 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Scottsdale, AZ and Corona de Tucson, AZ.
Start on this road
Turn right onto East Chaparral Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto AZ 101 Loop
Continue on AZ 101 Loop
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto AZ 202 Loop
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 10
Continue on I 10
Continue on I 10
Continue on I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto South Houghton Road
Turn right onto East Sahuarita Road
Arrive at destination
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.
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 31 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.7 miles or 1h 16m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Corona de Tucson, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, AZ
This is one driving day of about 141.4 miles and 2h 35m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.7 mi from Scottsdale, AZ · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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.
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 70.7 miles from Scottsdale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Corona de 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 Corona de Tucson, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$28.17 one way
$56.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $29.81 | $59.62 |
| premium | $5.59 | $31.12 | $62.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.22 | $62.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.85 | $6.79 |
| Efficient EV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.37 | $5.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.80 | $9.05 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Scottsdale on Wednesday
Local time
2:15 PM
MST
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Corona de Tucson on Wednesday
Local time
2:15 PM
MST
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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