Origin
Tucson, AZ
Afternoon in Tucson on Sunday
Local time
4:51 PM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tucson, AZ to Catalina Foothills, AZ
Drive Time
15m
Distance
7 mi
11 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 14m
★
6 AM
0h 16m
8 AM
0h 19m
10 AM
0h 17m
12 PM
0h 16m
3 PM
0h 17m
5 PM
0h 18m
8 PM
0h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tucson, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Catalina Foothills, AZ
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Traveling from Tucson to the Catalina Foothills is a quick, straightforward transition through the Desert Southwest. Spanning just 7 miles, this route typically takes about 15 minutes to complete, making it a perfect day trip or a simple local commute. You won't need to worry about a complex itinerary, as the journey requires no planned stops and can easily be finished in a single day. With fuel costs estimated at just $1, this is an incredibly budget-friendly drive. Since both locations are within the same region, you’ll experience a consistent desert landscape throughout the entire trip.
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
3.5 miles from Tucson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel rather than drifting through a monotonous interstate grind. You won't encounter any highway driving on this 7-mile trek, as the route relies entirely on local roads. Your path follows North Country Club Road, North Hacienda del Sol Road, and East River Road to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will navigate is a 3-mile section along North Country Club Road. Because the route is composed of technical turns, you should anticipate a drive that requires your full attention from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Country Club Road is the longest continuous segment at about 3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near East Fort Lowell Road.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Tucson, AZ to Catalina Foothills, AZ is easy. At 15m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (East Fort Lowell Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (North Dodge Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 5.8 miles (North Hacienda del Sol Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
3 of 3 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
East Fort Lowell Road
Turn right onto East Fort Lowell Road
Navigation decision point
4
3.7 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
North Dodge Boulevard
Turn left onto North Dodge Boulevard
Navigation decision point
6
5.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
North Hacienda del Sol Road
Turn right onto North Hacienda del Sol Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Country Club Road | 3 mi | 6m |
| North Hacienda del Sol Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| East River Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Fort Lowell Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Dodge Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Alvernon Way | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Country Club Road
— 3 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tucson, AZ and Catalina Foothills, AZ.
1
Start on North Country Club Road
3.0 mi
·
6 min
·
North Country Club Road
2
Turn right onto East Fort Lowell Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Fort Lowell Road
3
Turn left onto North Dodge Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Dodge Boulevard
4
Turn left onto North Alvernon Way
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Alvernon Way
5
Continue on East River Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East River Road
6
Turn right onto North Hacienda del Sol Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Hacienda del Sol Road
Use the none lane.
7
Arrive at destination
North Hacienda del Sol Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 15-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, allowing you to head out whenever it fits your schedule. You don't need to stress about pacing or scheduling rest breaks, as the distance is short enough to drive in one go. Keep in mind that because the route consists entirely of local roads, traffic patterns on North Country Club Road may shift during peak hours. Use the short duration to your advantage by keeping your plans loose and spontaneous. A helpful tip for this specific trip is to ensure your navigation is set for the turning points on North Hacienda del Sol Road before you leave, as the local road navigation can be detail-oriented.
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 3.5 miles from Tucson, AZ, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3 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 7 miles or 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.5 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catalina Foothills, 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 7 miles and 15m.
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 Country Club Road for about 3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.5 mi from Tucson, AZ · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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 7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 3.5 miles from Tucson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Catalina Foothills, AZ
The final approach into Catalina Foothills, 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 Foothills, 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
$1.39 one way
$2.79 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
2 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $1.47 | $2.94 |
| premium | $5.59 | $1.54 | $3.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.56 | $3.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.1 | 0 | $0.74 | $0.34 |
| Efficient EV | 1.8 | 0 | $0.61 | $0.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.98 | $0.45 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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 Foothills, AZ
Afternoon in Catalina Foothills on Sunday
Local time
4:51 PM
MST
Current temp
54°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
1 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
15m 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 Foothills, AZ covers 7 miles and takes about 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Country Club Road, North Hacienda del Sol Road, East River Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.5 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 $1.39 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.
The drive from Tucson, AZ to Catalina Foothills, AZ is easy. At 15m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (East Fort Lowell Road): Navigation decision point; at 3.7 miles (North Dodge Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 5.8 miles (North Hacienda del Sol Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tucson, AZ to Catalina Foothills, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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