Origin
Tombstone, AZ
Evening in Tombstone on Sunday
Local time
7:44 PM
MST
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tombstone, AZ to Tucson, AZ
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
69.9 mi
112 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tombstone, AZ
Brett Sayles
Tucson, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Stretching 69.9 miles across the Desert Southwest, this trip from Tombstone to Tucson is a straightforward journey you can easily complete in 1 hour and 29 minutes. It functions perfectly as a quick day trip, allowing you to transition between these two iconic Arizona locations without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since the entire route stays within the arid landscape of the Desert Southwest, you will enjoy a consistent environmental feel throughout the drive. This itinerary is ideal for travelers who prefer a direct, no-fuss connection between these hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
34.9 miles from Tombstone, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 80% of your travel takes place on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of State Route 80, South Lee Street, and I-10 Bus to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted portion of the trip spans 38.6 miles along I-10 Bus, providing a steady pace for the bulk of your journey. While the road begins with local connections, it quickly transitions into a more efficient, high-speed flow. Behind the wheel, you will find the route predictable and easy to manage, making it a low-stress transition between the two cities.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 Bus is the longest continuous segment at about 38.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 Bus and State Route 80. You will hit about 9 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.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.2 miles (AZ 80; US 80 Hist / East Fremont Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.9 miles (I 10 Bus / East 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
AZ 80; US 80 Hist / East Fremont Street
Turn left onto AZ 80; US 80 Hist / East Fremont Street
Navigation decision point
5
23.9 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
I 10 Bus / East 4th Street
Turn right onto I 10 Bus / East 4th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: Tucson
7
64.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward Alvernon Way North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 265
Toward Alvernon Way North
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Tombstone, AZ to Tucson, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Alvernon Way North along the way.
Alvernon Way North
64.3 mi in
|
~1h 19m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 Bus | 38.6 mi | 40m |
| State Route 80 | 17.2 mi | 25m |
| South Lee Street | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| South Alvernon Way | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| East Patton Street | 2 mi | 2m |
| East 4th Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South Country Club Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| East Barraza Aviation Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10 Bus
— 38.6 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tombstone, AZ and Tucson, 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
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
39 mi
·
40 min
·
I 10 Bus; US 80 Hist
Toward I 10 West: Tucson
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 265
Toward Alvernon Way North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto South Alvernon Way
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Alvernon Way
Use the left / none lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto South Alvernon Way
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Alvernon Way
Toward Alvernon Way
15
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
16
Turn straight onto AZ 210
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Barraza Aviation Highway
17
Turn right onto South Country Club Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Country Club Road
18
Continue on North Country Club Road
91 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Country Club Road
Use the left / none lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
North Country Club Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive with zero mandatory stops, you have maximum flexibility to plan your departure whenever it best suits your schedule. You can easily complete the trip in a single day, leaving plenty of room to explore either city before or after you travel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Tombstone, as the $14 estimate provides a good baseline for your budget. Because the longest stretch of 38.6 miles occurs on I-10 Bus, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuter traffic on that specific highway segment. Taking advantage of the short duration allows you to enjoy a full day of activities without spending your entire time behind the wheel.
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 34.9 miles from Tombstone, AZ, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.6 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 69.9 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.9 miles or 49m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tucson, 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 69.9 miles and 1h 29m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 10 Bus for about 38.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.9 mi from Tombstone, AZ · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 69.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.9 miles from Tombstone, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tucson, AZ
The final approach into Tucson, 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 Tucson, 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
$13.91 one way
$27.82 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $14.69 | $29.38 |
| premium | $5.59 | $15.38 | $30.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.53 | $31.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21 | 0 | $7.34 | $3.36 |
| Efficient EV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.12 | $2.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28 | 0 | $9.79 | $4.47 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (67% 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
Tucson, AZ
Evening in Tucson on Sunday
Local time
7:44 PM
MST
Current temp
53°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
8 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
1h 29m 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 Tucson, AZ covers 69.9 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10 Bus, State Route 80, South Lee Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.9 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 $13.91 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 69.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.2 miles (AZ 80; US 80 Hist / East Fremont Street): Navigation decision point; at 23.9 miles (I 10 Bus / East 4th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Tombstone, AZ to Tucson, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Alvernon Way North along the way.
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