Trip from Tucson, AZ to Somerton, AZ

Drive Time

4h 26m

Distance

249.6 mi

402 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$50

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

14 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 14m ★

6 AM

4h 27m

8 AM

4h 54m

10 AM

4h 36m

12 PM

4h 34m

3 PM

4h 38m

5 PM

4h 52m

8 PM

4h 19m

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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Tucson, AZ

Abhishek Navlakha

Trip Overview

The drive from Tucson, AZ to Somerton, AZ covers 249.6 miles and takes about 4h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Blue Star Memorial Highway, Phoenix Bypass Route, Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 111.9 miles on Blue Star Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.67 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

124.8 miles from Tucson, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 4h 26m drive with frequent turns across 249.6 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Blue Star Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 111.9 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 15 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 249.6 miles you will encounter 15 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 61.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

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

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.

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.

61.8 mi into trip | ~1h 9m in

Take the exit toward I 8 West: San Diego

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 199 Toward I 8 West: San Diego

233.3 mi into trip | ~4h 3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward AZ 195: Araby Road, San Luis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward AZ 195: Araby Road, San Luis

233.4 mi into trip | ~4h 3m in | AZ 195 / South Araby Road

Enter roundabout onto AZ 195 / South Araby Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Tucson, AZ to Somerton, AZ, road signs begin pointing toward San Luis along the way.

San Luis

233 mi in | ~4h 2m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Blue Star Memorial Highway	111.9 mi	1h 54m
Phoenix Bypass Route	58.9 mi	58m
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway	54.5 mi	55m
East 32nd Street	5.8 mi	9m
South Avenue B	4 mi	4m
East Speedway Boulevard	3.3 mi	7m
North Freeway	2.5 mi	2m
East Main Street	1.7 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Blue Star Memorial Highway — 111.9 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on North Country Club Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Country Club Road

Turn left onto East Speedway Boulevard

3.3 mi · 7 min · East Speedway Boulevard

Turn right onto North Freeway Road

415 ft · 7 sec · North Freeway Road

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Toward I 10 West

Merge onto I 10

2.5 mi · 2 min · North Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

3.7 mi · 4 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

51 mi · 51 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 35 sec

Exit 199 Toward I 8 West: San Diego

Continue on I 8

59 mi · 58 min · Phoenix Bypass Route

Continue on I 8

112 mi · 1 hr 54 min · Blue Star Memorial Highway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward AZ 195: Araby Road, San Luis

Keep slight left at fork

267 ft · 7 sec

Toward AZ 195: Araby Road, San Luis

Enter roundabout onto AZ 195

267 ft · 3 sec · South Araby Road

Continue on AZ 195

0.1 mi · 9 sec · South Araby Road

Enter roundabout onto AZ 195

188 ft · 2 sec · South Araby Road

Continue on AZ 195

0.5 mi · 34 sec · South Araby Road

Turn right onto I 8 BUS; US 80 Hist

5.8 mi · 9 min · East 32nd Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto West 32nd Street

1.7 mi · 3 min · West 32nd Street

Turn left onto US 95

4.0 mi · 4 min · South Avenue B

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 95

1.3 mi · 1 min · San Luis–Yuma–Quartzsite Highway

Continue on US 95

0.7 mi · 49 sec · West County 16th Street

Continue on US 95

1.7 mi · 2 min · East Main Street

Turn left onto South Musgrove Avenue

370 ft · 18 sec · South Musgrove Avenue

Turn right onto East Cano Street

367 ft · 18 sec · East Cano Street

Turn right onto South Somerton Avenue

306 ft · 6 sec · South Somerton Avenue

Arrive at destination

South Somerton Avenue

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 124.8 miles from Tucson, AZ, or about 2h 12m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.9 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 124.8 miles or 2h 12m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Somerton, 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 249.6 miles and 4h 26m.

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.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Blue Star Memorial Highway for about 111.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 124.8 mi from Tucson, AZ · 2h 12m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Buckeye, AZ

125 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Buckeye, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.8 miles from Tucson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Blue Star Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.9 miles.

Arriving in Somerton, AZ

The final approach into Somerton, 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 Somerton, AZ.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

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

Park Closure: Red Hills Visitor Center (TMD) theater closed for repairs

View on nps.gov

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...

15 mi from route ~39 min detour Free near mile 60.2

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.67 one way

$99.35 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$5.34	$52.46	$104.91
premium	$5.59	$54.90	$109.80
diesel	$5.64	$55.45	$110.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$50

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 87.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

14 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Starbucks - Tesla Supercharger

Tucson, AZ

Tesla

12 DCFC

Environmental and General Services

Tucson, AZ

Blink Network

4 DCFC

5151 E Broadway

Tucson, AZ

Non-Networked

2 DCFC

Porsche - Tucson

Tucson, AZ

Non-Networked

2 DCFC

FasCharge 4611 Fast Market Valero Tucson Prince Rd

Tucson, AZ

RED_E

2 DCFC

Holmes Tuttle Ford

Tucson, AZ

FORD_CHARGE

2 DCFC

Tucson Subaru

Tucson, AZ

Blink Network

2 DCFC

JC HYUNDAI SALES LEVEL 3

Tucson, AZ

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 5 Non-Networked: 3 Blink Network: 2 RED_E: 1 Tesla: 1 FORD_CHARGE: 1 IN_CHARGE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	74.9	0	$26.21	$11.98
Efficient EV	62.4	0	$21.84	$9.98
EV Truck/SUV	99.8	1	$34.94	$15.97

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 3 days ago

Origin

Tucson, AZ

Late night in Tucson on Monday

Local time

5:00 AM

MST

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Somerton, AZ

Late night in Somerton on Monday

Local time

5:00 AM

MST

Current temp

57°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

4 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

4h 26m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Somerton, AZ covers 249.6 miles and takes about 4h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Blue Star Memorial Highway, Phoenix Bypass Route, Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 124.8 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 $49.67 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.