Origin
Tucson, AZ
Afternoon in Tucson on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Tucson, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
2h 8m
Distance
115.9 mi
186 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 0m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tucson, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
Traveling between Tucson and Phoenix covers 117.9 miles, typically taking about 1 hour and 51 minutes to complete. This straightforward journey within the Desert Southwest serves perfectly as a quick day trip, requiring no overnight stay. You will navigate via East Speedway Boulevard, North Freeway Road, and I-10 West to complete the transit. Budget approximately $23 for fuel to cover the distance. Because the route is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. It is a highly practical connection between these two major 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
57.9 miles from Tucson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this route. While the path utilizes I-10 West, the overall character is defined by navigating off-highway segments, as the highway share sits at 0%. You will encounter a varied pace, with no long, uninterrupted stretches of road; notably, there are 0 miles of continuous driving on East Speedway Boulevard. The transition between local roads and the interstate requires your full attention behind the wheel. Prepare for a dynamic experience that demands more engagement than a standard highway trek.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 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 54.5 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 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in near I 10 / North Freeway.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 115.9 miles you will encounter 8 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 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; at 111.9 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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 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 straight / slight right lanes.
8
111.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
8
113.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
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 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
6
115.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande-Tucson Highway | 54.5 mi | 55m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 38.1 mi | 38m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| East Speedway Boulevard | 3.3 mi | 7m |
| North Freeway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| South 7th Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| North Country Club Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| East Washington Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tucson, AZ and Phoenix, 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
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 straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 10
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 195B
Toward 7th Street, Central Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto East Maricopa Freeway
134 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Maricopa Freeway
13
Turn right onto South 7th Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South 7th Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto East Washington Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
West Washington Street
Trip Plan
Since this 117.9-mile trip is manageable in under two hours, you can easily depart at your convenience without needing to schedule mid-route stops. Keep in mind that the local road segments require more focus than typical freeway driving, so stay alert for changing speed limits and intersections. Because you are navigating through the Desert Southwest, ensure your vehicle is prepared for the heat before heading out. With a fuel budget of $23, it is wise to top off your tank in Tucson before you start to avoid paying highway-adjacent prices. Use the short duration to your advantage by planning your arrival time to bypass peak local traffic in the Phoenix area.
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 57.9 miles from Tucson, AZ, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.9 miles or 1h 5m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Phoenix, 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 115.9 miles and 2h 8m.
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 54.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.9 mi from Tucson, AZ · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.9 miles from Tucson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Phoenix, AZ
The final approach into Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, 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
$23.07 one way
$46.13 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $24.36 | $48.71 |
| premium | $5.59 | $25.49 | $50.99 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.75 | $51.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.8 | 0 | $12.17 | $5.56 |
| Efficient EV | 29 | 0 | $10.14 | $4.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.23 | $7.42 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Phoenix, AZ
Afternoon in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
MST
Current temp
61°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
2h 8m 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 Phoenix, AZ covers 115.9 miles and takes about 2h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Maricopa Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.9 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 $23.07 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 115.9 miles you will encounter 8 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 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; at 111.9 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Tucson, AZ to Phoenix, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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