Origin
Tucson, AZ
Afternoon in Tucson on Sunday
Local time
3:32 PM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tucson, AZ to Coolidge, AZ
Drive Time
1h 27m
Distance
68.6 mi
110 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 20m
★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 41m
10 AM
1h 32m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 40m
8 PM
1h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tucson, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Coolidge, AZ
András Nyemczovszky
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Desert Southwest, the 68.6-mile journey from Tucson to Coolidge is a straightforward trek. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 1 hour and 27 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a single-day outing. Budget approximately $14 for fuel, which should cover your entire one-way transit. Navigating this route involves transitioning through the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, the Junction I-10-Mesa Highway, and finally onto J Street. Because the total duration is quite manageable, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging, allowing you to focus your time on your destination. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this drive offers a simple, efficient connection between these two Arizona 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
34.3 miles from Tucson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between road types. While only 19% of the route consists of highways, you will spend your longest uninterrupted segment covering 42.8 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. This stretch provides the most consistent pace before the character of the road shifts toward more technical local segments. You will feel the transition from the broader, faster highway lanes into the more measured, turn-heavy sections as you approach Coolidge. It is not an interstate grind, so anticipate a more hands-on driving experience that requires you to stay alert through the various turns and junctions along the way.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 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 42.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near East Speedway Boulevard.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 68.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (East Speedway Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (I 10 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
4
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
East Speedway Boulevard
Turn left onto East Speedway Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
4.8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 10 / North Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / North Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
11.1 mi into trip
|
~18m 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.
8
50.1 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward AZ 87 North: Coolidge, Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 211
Toward AZ 87 North: Coolidge, Florence
5
68.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
West Central Avenue
Turn right onto West Central Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Tucson, AZ to Coolidge, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Florence along the way.
Florence
50.1 mi in
|
~57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 42.8 mi | 44m |
| Junction I-10-Mesa Highway | 10.5 mi | 15m |
| J Street | 6.9 mi | 11m |
| East Speedway Boulevard | 3.3 mi | 7m |
| North Freeway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| North Country Club Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| West Central Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Freeway Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 42.8 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tucson, AZ and Coolidge, AZ.
1
Start on North Country Club Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Country Club Road
2
Turn left onto East Speedway Boulevard
3.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Speedway Boulevard
Use the none lane.
3
Turn right onto North Freeway Road
415 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Freeway Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 10 West
5
Merge onto I 10
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
39 mi
·
39 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 211
Toward AZ 87 North: Coolidge, Florence
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
396 ft
·
9 sec
10
Turn straight onto AZ 87
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Junction I-10-Mesa Highway
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on AZ 87; AZ 287
6.9 mi
·
11 min
·
J Street
Use the none lane.
12
Turn right onto West Central Avenue
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
West Central Avenue
Use the none lane.
13
Arrive at destination
West Central Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with no scheduled stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Because the route is only 68.6 miles, you can easily make the entire journey without needing mid-way rest stops, though it is always smart to ensure your tank is ready for the 1-hour and 27-minute duration. Keep a close eye on your navigation when you hit the junction transitions, as the change from the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway to the local streets requires a bit of focus. With fuel costs estimated at $14, you should find this a very affordable jaunt. Aim to leave during off-peak hours if you prefer a quieter road experience, as the turn-heavy nature of the final approach is best handled when you aren't rushing through traffic.
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 34.3 miles from Tucson, AZ, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.8 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 68.6 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.3 miles or 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 1h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Coolidge, 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 68.6 miles and 1h 27m.
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 Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 42.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.3 mi from Tucson, AZ · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 68.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.3 miles from Tucson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Coolidge, AZ
The final approach into Coolidge, 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 Coolidge, 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
$13.65 one way
$27.30 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $14.42 | $28.83 |
| premium | $5.59 | $15.09 | $30.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.24 | $30.48 |
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 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 | 20.6 | 0 | $7.20 | $3.29 |
| Efficient EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.00 | $2.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.60 | $4.39 |
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
Coolidge, AZ
Afternoon in Coolidge on Sunday
Local time
3:32 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
1h 27m 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 Coolidge, AZ covers 68.6 miles and takes about 1h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Junction I-10-Mesa Highway, J Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.3 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 $13.65 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 is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 68.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (East Speedway Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (I 10 / North Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Tucson, AZ to Coolidge, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Florence along the way.
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