Trip from Sierra Vista, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

Drive Time

3h 23m

Distance

185.7 mi

299 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 11m ★

6 AM

3h 23m

8 AM

3h 47m

10 AM

3h 31m

12 PM

3h 29m

3 PM

3h 33m

5 PM

3h 46m

8 PM

3h 16m

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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Sierra Vista, AZ

Leslie del Moral

Phoenix, AZ

Carter Marchant

Trip Overview

Traveling from Sierra Vista to Phoenix covers 186 miles of the Desert Southwest, typically taking about 2 hours and 52 minutes of drive time. Because this is a relatively manageable distance, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $36 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. You will navigate through local roads like West Fry Boulevard, Buffalo Soldier Trail, and State Route 90 to get underway. Whether you are heading to the state capital for business or a change of pace, this route offers a straightforward transition between two major Arizona hubs.

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

92.9 miles from Sierra Vista, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is defined by a turn-heavy local drive profile rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You will spend 0% of your time on major highways, meaning your focus will remain on navigating local roads and surface streets. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on West Fry Boulevard, indicating that you should prepare for frequent turns and constant engagement with the road. Expect a more hands-on driving experience as you transition away from the Sierra Vista area. This isn't a route for cruise control, so stay alert and ready for the technical requirements of these local thoroughfares.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 21 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. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 29.1 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 185.7 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: at 29.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.9 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.7 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 points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

29.1 mi into trip | ~36m in

Turn left toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon

80.9 mi into trip | ~1h 32m 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.

181.7 mi into trip | ~3h 15m 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

183.6 mi into trip | ~3h 18m 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

185.2 mi into trip | ~3h 21m in | East Washington Street

Turn left onto East Washington Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Sierra Vista, AZ to Phoenix, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscon along the way.

Tuscon

29.1 mi in | ~36m

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	15 mi	17m
Maricopa Freeway	13.9 mi	16m
Huachuca Boulevard	9 mi	10m
South Freeway	6 mi	6m
South Huachuca Boulevard	2.2 mi	3m

Longest stretch: Casa Grande-Tucson Highway — 54.5 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sierra Vista, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.

Start on this road

59 ft · 6 sec · this road

Turn right onto West Fry Boulevard

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West Fry Boulevard

Turn right onto Buffalo Soldier Trail

1.5 mi · 2 min · Buffalo Soldier Trail

Continue on AZ 90

3.0 mi · 3 min · State Route 90

Continue on AZ 90

2.2 mi · 3 min · South Huachuca Boulevard

Continue on AZ 90

12 mi · 13 min · State Route 90

Continue on AZ 90

9.0 mi · 10 min · Huachuca Boulevard

Continue on AZ 90

1.3 mi · 2 min · South State Highway 90

Turn left

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 10, Tuscon, South Tuscon

Merge onto I 10

41 mi · 43 min · Tucson-Benson Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

6.0 mi · 6 min · South Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

51 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

38 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

12 mi · 13 min · Maricopa Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Exit 195B Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway

134 ft · 2 sec · East Maricopa Freeway

Turn right onto South 7th Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · South 7th Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto East Washington Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Washington Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

West Washington Street

Trip Plan

Planning for this 186-mile trek is straightforward, but keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route can make the drive feel longer than the 2-hour and 52-minute estimate suggests. It is wise to budget for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the constant steering. Since you will be navigating local roads, try to avoid peak traffic hours in residential or business districts to keep your travel time consistent. Given that you are spending about $36 on fuel, check your tire pressure before departing Sierra Vista to ensure you are getting the best possible mileage. Use the flexibility of this one-day trip to your advantage by choosing a departure time that avoids the midday heat of the Desert Southwest.

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 92.9 miles from Sierra Vista, AZ, or about 1h 44m 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 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 92.9 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 44m

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 Sierra Vista, 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 Sierra Vista, AZ

This is one driving day of about 185.7 miles and 3h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Sierra Vista, 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.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 92.9 mi from Sierra Vista, AZ · 1h 44m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

South Tucson, AZ

93 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.

Popular next leg

South Tucson, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

114.7 mi · 2h 3m

Pacing Suggestions

Oro Valley, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marana, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 92.9 miles from Sierra Vista, 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

$36.96 one way

$73.91 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$39.03	$78.05
premium	$5.59	$40.85	$81.69
diesel	$5.64	$41.26	$82.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	55.7	$19.50	$8.91
Efficient EV	46.4	$16.25	$7.43
EV Truck/SUV	74.3	$26.00	$11.88

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Sierra Vista, AZ

Evening in Sierra Vista on Sunday

Local time

6:07 PM

MST

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Phoenix, AZ

Evening in Phoenix on Sunday

Local time

6:07 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

11 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 23m 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 Sierra Vista, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 185.7 miles and takes about 3h 23m 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 92.9 miles from Sierra Vista, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.96 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.

On the drive from Sierra Vista, AZ to Phoenix, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Tuscon along the way.

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Trip from Sierra Vista, AZ to Phoenix, AZ

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Phoenix, AZ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Sierra Vista, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Same local time

11 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 23m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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