Trip from Tombstone, AZ to Mesa, AZ

Drive Time

3h 30m

Distance

176 mi

283 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 18m ★

6 AM

3h 30m

8 AM

3h 55m

10 AM

3h 39m

12 PM

3h 36m

3 PM

3h 40m

5 PM

3h 54m

8 PM

3h 23m

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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Tombstone, AZ

Brett Sayles

Mesa, AZ

Zsolt Pujsz

Trip Overview

Driving from Tombstone to Mesa is a straightforward 176-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. Since both cities are located within the Desert Southwest, you will remain in a consistent, arid climate throughout your trip. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting roughly $35 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the drive. By utilizing a combination of the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, I-10 Bus, and the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, you can navigate between these two Arizona hubs with ease.

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

88 miles from Tombstone, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving profile that transitions between different road types as you head north. Roughly 41% of your trip will be spent on the highway, balancing faster transit with more localized traffic patterns. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, which spans 54.5 miles of the journey. The experience shifts from the smaller, historic-feeling corridors near your starting point to the busier, high-traffic arteries approaching the Phoenix metropolitan area. Staying alert through these transitions ensures a smooth transition from the open desert roads into the more densely populated sections of your destination.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

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?

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 25.7 miles in near I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist.

Route Complexity 6/10

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

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 176 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 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; at 153.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

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

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 none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 10 West: Tucson

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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

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

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.

175 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in | West University Drive

Turn right onto West University Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Tombstone, AZ to Mesa, 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	11 mi	19m
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 Mesa, AZ.

Start on this road

295 ft · 27 sec · this road

Turn left onto South 4th Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · South 4th Street

Turn left onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist

0.3 mi · 23 sec · East Fremont Street

Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist

0.1 mi · 11 sec · North Sumner Street

Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist

12 mi · 17 min · State Route 80

Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist

4.2 mi · 6 min · South Lee Street

Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist

2.0 mi · 2 min · East Patton Street

Continue on AZ 80; US 80 Hist

5.3 mi · 8 min · State Route 80

Turn left

63 ft · 2 sec

Turn right onto I 10 Bus

1.8 mi · 2 min · East 4th Street

Use the none lane.

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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

6.0 mi · 6 min · South Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

51 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

24 mi · 24 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec

Exit 175 Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto AZ 587

5.8 mi · 8 min · AZ 587

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Continue on AZ 87

11 mi · 19 min · South Arizona Avenue

Use the none lane.

Continue on AZ 87

4.0 mi · 7 min · South Country Club Drive

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto West University Drive

1.0 mi · 1 min · West University Drive

Use the none lane.

Arrive at destination

East University Drive

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3.5-hour trip, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the day is a smart strategy to avoid the heavier traffic patterns that often build up as you approach the Mesa area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longest 54.5-mile stretch to ensure you aren't caught off guard between service points. Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. A helpful tip for this specific route is to keep your $35 fuel budget handy, as having a full tank before hitting the busier highway segments will save you the stress of hunting for a station during peak travel hours.

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 88 miles from Tombstone, AZ, or about 1h 45m 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 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 88 miles or 1h 45m 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 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mesa, 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 176 miles and 3h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 88 mi from Tombstone, AZ · 1h 45m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Tucson, AZ

88 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

Tucson, AZ

Fuel and coffee

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

Tucson, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88 miles from Tombstone, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Mesa, AZ

The final approach into Mesa, 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 Mesa, 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

$35.03 one way

$70.05 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$36.99	$73.98
premium	$5.59	$38.71	$77.43
diesel	$5.64	$39.10	$78.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	52.8	$18.48	$8.45
Efficient EV	44	$15.40	$7.04
EV Truck/SUV	70.4	$24.64	$11.26

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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Tombstone, AZ

Afternoon in Tombstone on Sunday

Local time

4:06 PM

MST

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mesa, AZ

Afternoon in Mesa on Sunday

Local time

4:06 PM

MST

Current temp

59°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

14 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 30m 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 Mesa, AZ covers 176 miles and takes about 3h 30m 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 88 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 $35.03 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 Tombstone, AZ to Mesa, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Gilbert along the way.

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Return Trip

Mesa, AZ to Tombstone, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

175.9 mi 3h 29m

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Trip from Tombstone, AZ to Mesa, 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 Mesa, AZ

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Tombstone, AZ

Mesa, AZ

Same local time

14 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 30m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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