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Trip from Tucson, AZ to Mescal, AZ

Data updated 4 hours ago

Drive Time

48m

Distance

39.4 mi

63 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$8

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 12 min
4 AM
0h 45m ★
6 AM
0h 49m
8 AM
0h 57m
10 AM
0h 51m
12 PM
0h 51m
3 PM
0h 52m
5 PM
0h 56m
8 PM
0h 46m

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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city in and county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States

Tucson, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Mescal, AZ, AZ

Mescal, AZ

Los Muertos Crew

Trip Overview

This 39.4-mile drive from Tucson to Mescal, Arizona, is a short one, taking about 48 minutes to complete. Designed as a single-day trip, you'll navigate local roads for the entire journey, with no highway miles involved. The estimated fuel cost is a reasonable $8, making it an economical option for a quick excursion within the Desert Southwest. The route's profile indicates it's turn-heavy, so be prepared for frequent adjustments. This trip is ideal for those looking for a straightforward, local driving experience without the need for overnight stays.

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

19.7 miles from Tucson, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, characterized by its frequent directional changes rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. With a 0% highway share, you'll be on surface streets and local highways for the entire 39.4 miles. The longest continuous segment you'll encounter is 31.3 miles along the Tucson-Benson Highway. This driving personality means you'll be actively steering and navigating for much of the journey, offering a more engaged experience behind the wheel as you move through the Arizona landscape.

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.
Tucson-Benson Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 31.3 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 South Alvernon Way.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Tucson, AZ to Mescal, AZ is easy. At 48m 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 (South Alvernon Way): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 5 key points

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

4
3 mi into trip | ~6m in | South Alvernon Way

Turn right onto South Alvernon Way

Navigation decision point

6
5.4 mi into trip | ~10m in

Turn left toward I 10 East: El Paso

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 10 East: El Paso
5
5.9 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway

Merge onto I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
37.2 mi into trip | ~43m in

Take the exit toward Mescal Road, J Six Ranch Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 297 Toward Mescal Road, J Six Ranch Road
5
37.5 mi into trip | ~43m in | J-6 Road

Turn left onto J-6 Road

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Tucson-Benson Highway 31.3 mi 32m
South Alvernon Way 2.4 mi 3m
North Mescal Road 1.8 mi 4m
North Country Club Road 1.7 mi 4m
East Barraza Aviation Highway 1 mi 1m
J-6 Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Tucson-Benson Highway — 31.3 mi, about 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tucson, AZ and Mescal, AZ.

1

Start on North Country Club Road

199 ft · 32 sec · North Country Club Road
2

Continue on North Country Club Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · North Country Club Road
3

Take the ramp

160 ft · 4 sec
4

Turn straight onto AZ 210

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Barraza Aviation Highway
5

Turn straight

155 ft · 2 sec
Toward Alvernon Way
6

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 22 sec · this road
Toward Alvernon Way
7

Turn right onto South Alvernon Way

2.4 mi · 3 min · South Alvernon Way
8

Turn left

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 10 East: El Paso Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 10

31 mi · 32 min · Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 297 Toward Mescal Road, J Six Ranch Road
11

Turn left onto J-6 Road

369 ft · 15 sec · J-6 Road
12

Continue on North Mescal Road

1.8 mi · 4 min · North Mescal Road
13

Arrive at destination

North Mescal Road

Trip Plan

Given the short 48-minute duration and 39.4-mile distance, this trip offers great flexibility. You can easily depart at your leisure, perhaps after a leisurely breakfast in Tucson. Since there are no designated stops and the longest stretch is manageable, you won't need to plan extensive breaks. However, with its turn-heavy nature, keep your eyes peeled for navigation cues. The $8 fuel cost is minimal, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before leaving Tucson to avoid any unnecessary detours for gas.

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 19.7 miles from Tucson, AZ, or about 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.3 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 39.4 miles or 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 19.7 miles or 25m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mescal, 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 39.4 miles and 48m.

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 Tucson-Benson Highway for about 31.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 19.7 mi from Tucson, AZ · 25m into the drive

city in Pinal County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Casa Grande, AZ

20 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

Casa Grande, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Casa Grande, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 19.7 miles from Tucson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Mescal, AZ

The final approach into Mescal, 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 Mescal, AZ.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park

National Park

Tucson, Arizona is home to the nation's largest cacti. The giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are pr...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour $25 near mile 10.9
Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$7.85 one way

$15.70 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $8.31 $16.61
premium $5.59 $8.67 $17.35
diesel $5.61 $8.70 $17.40

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$8

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$33–$58

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 13.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 11.8 0 $4.14 $1.89
Efficient EV 9.9 0 $3.45 $1.58
EV Truck/SUV 15.8 0 $5.52 $2.52

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% 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 5 days ago

Origin

Tucson, AZ

Late night in Tucson on Wednesday

Local time

2:35 AM

MST

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mescal, AZ

Late night in Mescal on Wednesday

Local time

2:35 AM

MST

Current temp

80°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

27 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

48m 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 Mescal, AZ covers 39.4 miles and takes about 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tucson-Benson Highway, South Alvernon Way, North Mescal Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.7 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 $7.85 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 Mescal, AZ is easy. At 48m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (South Alvernon Way): Navigation decision point; at 5.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles (I 10 / Tucson-Benson Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Tucson, AZ to Mescal, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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