Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Tucson, AZ to Queen Creek, AZ

Drive Time

2h 9m

Distance

106.9 mi

172 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
2h 0m ★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Tucson, AZ, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

town in Maricopa and Pinal counties in Arizona, United States

Queen Creek, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Tucson, AZ to Queen Creek, AZ covers 106.9 miles and takes about 2h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, East Riggs Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.5 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.27 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

53.5 miles from Tucson, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 9m drive with frequent turns across 106.9 miles of local and secondary roads.

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 9 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 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 106.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 85.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These 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
85.9 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Take the exit toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert

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

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 175 Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert
6
86.1 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in | AZ 587

Turn left onto AZ 587

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
92.9 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | East Riggs Road

Turn right onto East Riggs Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Tucson, AZ to Queen Creek, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Gilbert along the way.

Gilbert

85.9 mi in | ~1h 33m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway 54.5 mi 55m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway 24.1 mi 24m
East Riggs Road 9 mi 15m
AZ 587 5.8 mi 8m
East Speedway Boulevard 3.3 mi 7m
East Ocotillo Road 3 mi 5m
North Freeway 2.5 mi 2m
South Power Road 2.1 mi 3m
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 Queen Creek, 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

24 mi · 24 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec
Exit 175 Toward AZ 587 North: Chandler, Gilbert Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Turn left onto AZ 587

5.8 mi · 8 min · AZ 587
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11

Continue on AZ 87

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Arizona Avenue
12

Turn right onto East Riggs Road

9.0 mi · 15 min · East Riggs Road
Use the left lane.
13

Turn left onto South Power Road

2.1 mi · 3 min · South Power Road
Use the left lane.
14

Turn right onto East Ocotillo Road

3.0 mi · 5 min · East Ocotillo Road
15

Arrive at destination

East Ocotillo Road

Trip Plan

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 53.5 miles from Tucson, AZ, or about 1h 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 53.5 miles or 1h 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 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Queen Creek, 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 106.9 miles and 2h 9m.

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 53.5 mi from Tucson, AZ · 1h into the drive

Downtown Casa Grande, AZ, AZ

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Casa Grande, AZ

53 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.

Popular next leg

Casa Grande, AZ to Queen Creek, AZ

39.2 mi · 59m

Pacing Suggestions

Casa Grande, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Casa Grande, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.5 miles from Tucson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Queen Creek, AZ

The final approach into Queen Creek, 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 Queen Creek, 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.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

National Monument

An Ancestral Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether a gathering place for people or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of...

10 mi from route ~26 min detour Free near mile 70.1
View on nps.gov
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...

10 mi from route ~25 min detour $25
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.27 one way

$42.55 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $22.47 $44.93
premium $5.59 $23.51 $47.03
diesel $5.64 $23.75 $47.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32.1 0 $11.22 $5.13
Efficient EV 26.7 0 $9.35 $4.28
EV Truck/SUV 42.8 0 $14.97 $6.84

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (65% 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 4 days ago

Origin

Tucson, AZ

Afternoon in Tucson on Monday

Local time

1:34 PM

MST

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Queen Creek, AZ

Afternoon in Queen Creek on Monday

Local time

1:34 PM

MST

Current temp

56°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

3 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 9m 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 Queen Creek, AZ covers 106.9 miles and takes about 2h 9m 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, East Riggs Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.5 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 $21.27 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 106.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 85.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Tucson, AZ to Queen Creek, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward Gilbert along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Queen Creek, AZ to Tucson, AZ

Plan the drive back the other way.

96.7 mi 1h 53m

Continue From Queen Creek, AZ

Lake Havasu City, AZ 238.5 mi · 4h 30m Yuma, AZ 205.9 mi · 3h 51m Flagstaff, AZ 182 mi · 3h 21m Buckeye, AZ 82.2 mi · 1h 24m

More from Tucson, AZ

Fredonia, AZ 453.9 mi · 8h 44m Page, AZ 393.7 mi · 7h 21m Cottonwood, AZ 356.3 mi · 8h 9m Dilkon, AZ 356.1 mi · 6h 28m Window Rock, AZ 335.4 mi · 7h 4m Saint Michaels, AZ 331.1 mi · 6h 57m

More trips to Queen Creek, AZ

Lake Havasu City, AZ 238.6 mi Yuma, AZ 205.9 mi Flagstaff, AZ 181.3 mi Buckeye, AZ 73.8 mi Surprise, AZ 64.8 mi Goodyear, AZ 56.8 mi

Explore more options from Tucson, AZ or browse trips ending in Queen Creek, AZ.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.

Explore maps for Tucson, AZ or Queen Creek, AZ on MapSof.net.