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Trip from South Tucson, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 25m

Distance

134.3 mi

216 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 15m ★
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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Pima County, Arizona, United States

South Tucson, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Deer Valley, AZ, AZ

Deer Valley, AZ

Line Knipst

Trip Overview

The drive from South Tucson, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ covers 134.3 miles and takes about 2h 25m 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, Black Canyon Freeway 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 $26.75 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.

Midpoint

67.2 miles from South Tucson, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 134.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

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

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 25m drive with frequent turns across 134.3 miles of local and secondary roads.

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 54.5 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 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near West 22nd Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 134.3 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.5 miles (West 22nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 10 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

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

4
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | West 22nd Street

Turn left onto West 22nd Street

Navigation decision point

5
1.5 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 10 / South Freeway

Merge onto I 10 / South Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
9.9 mi into trip | ~12m 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
110.7 mi into trip | ~1h 56m 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
132 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in

Take the exit toward Rose Garden Lane, Deer Valley Road

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 215A Toward Rose Garden Lane, Deer Valley Road

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway 54.5 mi 55m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway 38.1 mi 38m
Black Canyon Freeway 17.1 mi 19m
Maricopa Freeway 16.2 mi 18m
South Freeway 4.6 mi 5m
West Deer Valley Road 1.4 mi 2m
West 22nd Street 0.6 mi <1m
North Black Canyon Highway 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 South Tucson, AZ and Deer Valley, AZ.

1

Start on US 80 Hist

0.5 mi · 1 min · South 6th Avenue
2

Turn left onto West 22nd Street

0.6 mi · 54 sec · West 22nd Street
3

Turn right onto South Freeway Road

363 ft · 11 sec · South Freeway Road
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 10 West
5

Merge onto I 10

4.6 mi · 5 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

4.2 mi · 4 min · Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff Use the slight right lane.
11

Continue on I 17; US 60

17 mi · 19 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 39 sec
Exit 215A Toward Rose Garden Lane, Deer Valley Road Use the slight right lane.
13

Continue on North Black Canyon Highway

0.5 mi · 58 sec · North Black Canyon Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
14

Turn left onto West Deer Valley Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Deer Valley Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15

Turn right onto North 35th Avenue

37 ft · 0 sec · North 35th Avenue
16

Arrive at destination

North 35th Avenue

Trip Plan

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 67.2 miles from South Tucson, AZ, or about 1h 10m 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 30 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67.2 miles or 1h 10m 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 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Deer Valley, AZ than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving South Tucson, 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 South Tucson, AZ

This is one driving day of about 134.3 miles and 2h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from South Tucson, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 67.2 mi from South Tucson, AZ · 1h 10m into the drive

city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chandler, AZ

67 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

Marana, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Casa Grande, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.2 miles from South Tucson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Deer Valley, AZ

The final approach into Deer Valley, 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 Deer Valley, AZ.

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.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 105.5

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+14805657081

Visit website

Hurricane Harbor Phoenix

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 134.3

Glendale, Arizona

Hours: Closed

+16232012000

Visit website

Arizona History Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Tucson, Arizona

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+15206285774

Visit website

Arizona Science Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 115.1

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+16027162000

Visit website

Tempe Festival of the Arts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 105.5

Tempe, Arizona

+14803556060

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 115.1

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 2–9 pm

+16234015867

Visit website

Enchanted Island Amusement Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 115.1

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+16022541200

Visit website

Dorrance DOME

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 115.1

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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 ~26 min detour Free near mile 69.5
View on nps.gov
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...

12 mi from route ~31 min detour $25
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.75 one way

$53.51 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $28.31 $56.63
premium $5.59 $29.56 $59.12
diesel $5.61 $29.65 $59.30

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 47 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.3 0 $14.10 $6.45
Efficient EV 33.6 0 $11.75 $5.37
EV Truck/SUV 53.7 0 $18.80 $8.60

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

South Tucson, AZ

Evening in South Tucson on Thursday

Local time

8:23 PM

MST

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Deer Valley, AZ

Evening in Deer Valley on Thursday

Local time

8:23 PM

MST

Current temp

88°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

33 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 South Tucson, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ covers 134.3 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, Black Canyon Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.2 miles from South Tucson, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.75 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 134.3 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.5 miles (West 22nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 10 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.9 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from South Tucson, AZ to Deer Valley, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Saguaro National Park.

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