Origin
South Tucson, AZ
Afternoon in South Tucson on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
MST
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Tucson, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ
Drive Time
3h 57m
Distance
259.3 mi
417 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 44m
★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 4m
3 PM
4h 8m
5 PM
4h 22m
8 PM
3h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Tucson, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Flagstaff, AZ
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Traveling from South Tucson to Flagstaff covers 259.3 miles of the Desert Southwest, typically taking about 3 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations unless you prefer a more leisurely pace. You should budget approximately $51 for fuel to complete the trip. Your journey begins by navigating West 22nd Street and South Freeway Road before transitioning onto I-10 West. While the drive is straightforward, it functions best as a focused day trip that connects these two distinct Arizona hubs. By planning your departure strategically, you can easily navigate the transition between these desert environments without feeling rushed on the road.
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
129.7 miles from South Tucson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy experience as you navigate the local roads leading out of South Tucson. Once you merge onto I-10 West, the character of your drive shifts from technical, low-speed maneuvering to a more consistent highway pace. With 0% of the route categorized as traditional highway, you will find that the road demands your full attention, particularly during the initial segments on West 22nd Street. Because there is no extended uninterrupted stretch on the local roads, you will need to stay alert for frequent turns and directional changes. This route offers a dynamic feel behind the wheel, contrasting the busy local infrastructure with the expansive feel of the Arizona landscape as you head north.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West 22nd Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 57m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from South Tucson, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 22nd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Freeway Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 10 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Maricopa Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Black Canyon Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
West 22nd Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Tucson, AZ and Flagstaff, AZ.
1
Start on South 6th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 6th Avenue
2
Turn left onto West 22nd Street
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
West 22nd Street
3
Turn right onto South Freeway Road
364 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Freeway Road
4
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 West
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
I 10 West
5
Merge slight left onto South Freeway
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
South Freeway
6
Continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
7
Keep slight left to continue on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
8
Continue on Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
9
Continue on Maricopa Freeway
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
10
Keep slight right to continue on Maricopa Freeway
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
11
Continue on Black Canyon Freeway
41 mi
·
45 min
·
Black Canyon Freeway
12
Continue on Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
13
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
14
Keep slight left to continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
77 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
15
Continue on Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
Prescott–Flagstaff Highway
16
Continue on Arizona Veterans Highway
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Arizona Veterans Highway
17
Continue on South Milton Road
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
South Milton Road
18
Continue on West Historic Route 66
449 ft
·
14 sec
·
West Historic Route 66
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 259.3-mile journey, aim to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion in South Tucson. Since the route includes one planned stop, use that break to refuel and stretch your legs, keeping your $51 fuel budget in mind for the entire trip. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, ensure your navigation system is synced before leaving to avoid missing critical turns on West 22nd Street. Because this is a sub-four-hour drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for daylight or evening travel. Always keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial local road segments, as stopping for gas is most efficient once you have successfully merged onto the main highway.
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 129.7 miles from South Tucson, AZ, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
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 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.7 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flagstaff, 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 259.3 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from South Tucson, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.7 mi from South Tucson, AZ · 1h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 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 129.7 miles from South Tucson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Flagstaff, AZ
The final approach into Flagstaff, 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 Flagstaff, 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
$51.60 one way
$103.21 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $54.49 | $108.99 |
| premium | $5.59 | $57.04 | $114.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $57.61 | $115.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.8 | 0 | $27.23 | $12.45 |
| Efficient EV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.69 | $10.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.7 | 1 | $36.30 | $16.60 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Flagstaff, AZ
Afternoon in Flagstaff on Sunday
Local time
2:56 PM
MST
Current temp
30°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
24 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 57m 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 Flagstaff, AZ covers 259.3 miles and takes about 3h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West 22nd Street, South Freeway Road, I 10 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 129.7 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 $51.60 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 is a straightforward 3h 57m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from South Tucson, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from South Tucson, AZ to Flagstaff, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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