Origin
Tombstone, AZ
Morning in Tombstone on Friday
Local time
8:55 AM
MST
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tombstone, AZ to Chandler, AZ
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 14m
Distance
167 mi
269 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 3m
★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 23m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tombstone, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Chandler, AZ
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 167-mile drive from Tombstone, Arizona, to Chandler, Arizona, is a straightforward, single-day adventure. You can expect to spend about 3 hours and 14 minutes on the road, making it an easy day trip. The route primarily utilizes the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway and I-10 Bus, with 43% of the drive being on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, this trip through the Desert Southwest offers a practical journey. It's a convenient option for a quick transition between two points in Arizona without the need for an overnight stay.
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
83.5 miles from Tombstone, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 167 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The personality of this 167-mile drive is a mixed bag, offering both highway cruising and local road navigation. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on roads like the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, experiencing its longest uninterrupted stretch of 54.5 miles. While 43% of the route involves highway driving, the presence of other main roads like the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway suggests a varied driving experience. Expect a profile that's not entirely monotonous, with shifts in scenery and road type as you progress.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 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?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South 4th 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 167 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 0.1 miles (South 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 25.7 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.1 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South 4th Street
Turn left onto South 4th Street
Navigation decision point
7
25.7 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist toward I 10 West: Tucson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tucson
6
79.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m 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
153.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 175
Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
6
154.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
AZ 587
Turn left onto AZ 587
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Tombstone, AZ to Chandler, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Gilbert along the way.
Gilbert
153.9 mi in
|
~2h 52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.5 mi | 55m |
| I 10 Bus | 43.6 mi | 46m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 24.1 mi | 24m |
| State Route 80 | 17.2 mi | 25m |
| South Arizona Avenue | 7 mi | 12m |
| South Freeway | 6 mi | 6m |
| AZ 587 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| South Lee Street | 4.2 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tombstone, AZ and Chandler, AZ.
1
Start on this road
295 ft
·
27 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto South 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
South 4th Street
3
Turn left onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Fremont Street
4
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North Sumner Street
5
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
12 mi
·
17 min
·
State Route 80
6
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
South Lee Street
7
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Patton Street
8
Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
State Route 80
9
Turn left
63 ft
·
2 sec
10
Turn right onto I 10 Bus
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East 4th Street
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
44 mi
·
46 min
·
I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 10 West: Tucson
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 10
24 mi
·
24 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 175
Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto AZ 587
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
AZ 587
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Continue on AZ 87
7.0 mi
·
12 min
·
South Arizona Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto East Chandler Boulevard
47 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Chandler Boulevard
Use the right lane.
20
Arrive at destination
East Chandler Boulevard
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour, 14-minute duration, you have a lot of flexibility with this 167-mile trip. It's best to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and avoid the peak heat of the Arizona desert. You'll encounter one designated stop, but with only 167 miles, you can choose to stop more or less frequently based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest stretch of 54.5 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, and plan your fill-ups accordingly to stay within your estimated $33 fuel budget.
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 83.5 miles from Tombstone, AZ, or about 1h 41m 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 37 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.5 miles or 1h 41m 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 Chandler, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tombstone, 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 Tombstone, AZ
This is one driving day of about 167 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Tombstone, 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 83.5 mi from Tombstone, AZ · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.5 miles from Tombstone, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chandler, AZ
The final approach into Chandler, 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 Chandler, 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
$33.27 one way
$66.54 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.36 | $35.21 | $70.42 |
| premium | $5.59 | $36.76 | $73.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.87 | $73.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.54 | $8.02 |
| Efficient EV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.61 | $6.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.38 | $10.69 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Chandler, AZ
Morning in Chandler on Friday
Local time
8:55 AM
MST
Current temp
90°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
10 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 14m 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 Tombstone, AZ to Chandler, AZ covers 167 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, I 10 Bus, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.5 miles from Tombstone, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.27 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 167 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 0.1 miles (South 4th Street): Navigation decision point; at 25.7 miles (I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.1 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Tombstone, AZ to Chandler, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Gilbert along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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