Origin
Tempe Junction, AZ
Afternoon in Tempe Junction on Sunday
Local time
4:13 PM
MST
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tempe Junction, AZ to Tombstone, AZ
Drive Time
3h 21m
Distance
178.5 mi
287 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 10m
★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 46m
10 AM
3h 30m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tempe Junction, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Tombstone, AZ
Brett Sayles
Trip Overview
Traveling from Tempe Junction to Tombstone covers 178.5 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 21 minutes of driving time. Since both locations are firmly rooted in the Desert Southwest, you will experience consistent arid terrain throughout the entire trip. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $36 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, it offers a more engaged experience than a simple interstate cruise, making it a great option for travelers who prefer a bit of variety behind the wheel.
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
89.3 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mix of driving conditions as you navigate through the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, and the Tucson-Benson Highway. With only 23% of the route consisting of major highways, the trip feels less like a monotonous interstate grind and more like a technical local drive. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 54.6 miles while traveling along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. Be prepared for a turn-heavy experience that requires your full attention as the road transitions between these different segments. The character of the drive shifts as you move off the main arteries, providing a hands-on experience for those who enjoy navigating varied road layouts.
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.
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 54.6 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 0.8 miles in near West Broadway Road.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 178.5 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 0.8 miles (West Broadway Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
West Broadway Road
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left toward I 10 East: Tucson
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
7
4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: East Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 10 East: East Tucson
5
4.2 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 10 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
152.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
|
I 10 Business
Take the exit onto I 10 Business toward I 10 Business: Tombstone, Douglas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 303
Toward I 10 Business: Tombstone, Douglas
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Tombstone, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Douglas along the way.
Douglas
152.3 mi in
|
~2h 41m
|
via I 10 Business
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.6 mi | 55m |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 42.9 mi | 44m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 37.8 mi | 38m |
| AZ 80 | 23.7 mi | 35m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| North Freeway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| I 10 Bus | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| West Broadway Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.6 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and Tombstone, AZ.
1
Start on West 13th Street
0.3 mi
·
55 sec
·
West 13th Street
2
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Roosevelt Street
3
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Broadway Road
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on West Broadway Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Road
5
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto AZ 143
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Hohokam Expressway
Toward I 10 East: Tucson
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 10 East: East Tucson
Use the none lane.
8
Merge onto I 10
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 10
55 mi
·
55 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on I 10
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
43 mi
·
44 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit onto I 10 Business
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
I 10 Business
Exit 303
Toward I 10 Business: Tombstone, Douglas
14
Continue on I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 10 BUS, AZ 80: Benson, Douglas
Use the none lane.
15
Turn slight right onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
AZ 80; US 80 Hist
16
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
24 mi
·
35 min
·
AZ 80; US 80 Hist
17
Turn right onto North 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North 4th Street
18
Turn right
295 ft
·
21 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 21-minute duration, plan to depart early in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. You have the flexibility to manage your pace easily, as the route is designed with just one recommended stop to keep your travel time efficient. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially since you should set aside $36 for gas to cover the full 178.5-mile distance. Since this is a turn-heavy drive, prioritize staying alert during the local road segments rather than relying on cruise control. Use that single planned stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the winding nature of the path can be more demanding than a straight highway drive.
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 89.3 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.3 miles or 1h 35m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tombstone, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tempe Junction, 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 Tempe Junction, AZ
This is one driving day of about 178.5 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tempe Junction, 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 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.3 mi from Tempe Junction, AZ · 1h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 89.3 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tombstone, AZ
The final approach into Tombstone, 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 Tombstone, 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
$35.52 one way
$71.05 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $37.51 | $75.03 |
| premium | $5.59 | $39.26 | $78.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $39.66 | $79.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.74 | $8.57 |
| Efficient EV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.62 | $7.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.4 | 0 | $24.99 | $11.42 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Tombstone, AZ
Afternoon in Tombstone on Sunday
Local time
4:13 PM
MST
Current temp
45°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
15 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 21m 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 Tempe Junction, AZ to Tombstone, AZ covers 178.5 miles and takes about 3h 21m 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 89.3 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.52 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 demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 178.5 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 0.8 miles (West Broadway Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Tombstone, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Douglas along the way.
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