Origin
Tucson, AZ
Afternoon in Tucson on Sunday
Local time
3:35 PM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tucson, AZ to Catalina, AZ
Drive Time
42m
Distance
23.5 mi
38 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 39m
★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 45m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 46m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tucson, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Catalina, AZ
Allie
Trip Overview
Traveling from Tucson to Catalina is a quick 23.5-mile journey that typically takes about 42 minutes to complete. Because this is a short trip within the Desert Southwest, you can easily finish it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via North Oracle Road, North Country Club Road, and North 1st Avenue. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an incredibly affordable local excursion. This drive is designed for those looking for a straightforward, turn-heavy transit between these two Arizona communities.
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
11.8 miles from Tucson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating local surface streets, which keeps the pace steady but requires your full attention. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 13.4 miles while traveling on North Oracle Road. As you progress from the urban environment into the outskirts, the road’s personality remains consistent with local traffic patterns. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes maneuvering through city infrastructure over long-distance highway cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Oracle Road is the longest continuous segment at about 13.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.7 miles in near North 1st Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 23.5 miles you will encounter 11 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 6.7 miles (North 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (AZ 77; US 80 Hist / North Oracle Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.8 miles (East Pinal Street): 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.
5
6.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
North 1st Avenue
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
9.4 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
AZ 77; US 80 Hist / North Oracle Road
Turn right onto AZ 77; US 80 Hist / North Oracle Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
22.8 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
East Pinal Street
Turn right onto East Pinal Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
23.2 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
East Stallion Lane
At end of road, turn right onto East Stallion Lane
Navigation decision point
5
23.3 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
North Elkins Road
Turn left onto North Elkins Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Oracle Road | 13.4 mi | 20m |
| North Country Club Road | 3 mi | 6m |
| North 1st Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| North Campbell Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| East River Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Fort Lowell Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Orange Grove Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Pinal Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
North Oracle Road
— 13.4 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tucson, AZ and Catalina, AZ.
1
Start on North Country Club Road
3.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North Country Club Road
2
Turn left onto East Fort Lowell Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Fort Lowell Road
3
Turn right onto North Campbell Avenue
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
North Campbell Avenue
4
Turn left onto East River Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East River Road
Use the none lane.
5
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North 1st Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto East Orange Grove Road
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
East Orange Grove Road
7
Continue on West Orange Grove Road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
West Orange Grove Road
8
Turn right onto AZ 77; US 80 Hist
13 mi
·
20 min
·
North Oracle Road
Use the right lane.
9
Turn right onto East Pinal Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Pinal Street
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left
414 ft
·
31 sec
11
At end of road, turn right onto East Stallion Lane
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Stallion Lane
12
Turn left onto North Elkins Road
499 ft
·
27 sec
·
North Elkins Road
13
Turn left onto East Pinto Place
491 ft
·
21 sec
·
East Pinto Place
14
Arrive at destination
East Pinto Place
Trip Plan
Since this is a brief 42-minute trip, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure time. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the distance is short enough to drive straight through in one go. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of these local roads means you should stay alert for frequent intersections and changing traffic lights. Since you are only spending $5 on fuel, consider topping off your tank in Tucson before you head out to ensure a stress-free arrival in Catalina. Use the 13.4-mile stretch on North Oracle Road to settle into a comfortable rhythm before you reach your final destination.
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 11.8 miles from Tucson, AZ, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.4 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 23.5 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.8 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catalina, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving 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 Tucson, AZ
This is one driving day of about 23.5 miles and 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tucson, 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 North Oracle Road for about 13.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.8 mi from Tucson, AZ · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 23.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.8 miles from Tucson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Catalina, AZ
The final approach into Catalina, 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 Catalina, 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
$4.68 one way
$9.35 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $4.94 | $9.88 |
| premium | $5.59 | $5.17 | $10.34 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.22 | $10.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.47 | $1.13 |
| Efficient EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.06 | $0.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.29 | $1.50 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Catalina, AZ
Afternoon in Catalina on Sunday
Local time
3:35 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
42m 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 Tucson, AZ to Catalina, AZ covers 23.5 miles and takes about 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Oracle Road, North Country Club Road, North 1st Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.8 miles from Tucson, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.68 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 23.5 miles you will encounter 11 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 6.7 miles (North 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (AZ 77; US 80 Hist / North Oracle Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.8 miles (East Pinal Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tucson, AZ to Catalina, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Catalina, AZ
More trips to Catalina, AZ
Explore more options from Tucson, AZ or browse trips ending in Catalina, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Tucson, AZ or Catalina, AZ on MapSof.net.