Drive Time
42m
Distance
23.5 mi
38 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
The drive from Tucson, AZ to Catalina, AZ covers 23.5 miles and takes about 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Fort Lowell Road, North Campbell Avenue, East River Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.58 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
11.8 miles from Tucson, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Expect a 42m drive with frequent turns across 23.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Fort Lowell Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Campbell Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East River Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North 1st Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Orange Grove Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Orange Grove Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Oracle Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Pinal Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Tucson, AZ and Catalina, AZ.
Start on North Country Club Road
Turn left onto East Fort Lowell Road
Turn right onto North Campbell Avenue
Turn left onto East River Road
Turn right onto North 1st Avenue
Turn left onto East Orange Grove Road
Continue on West Orange Grove Road
Turn right onto North Oracle Road
Turn right onto East Pinal Street
Turn left
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Stallion Lane
Turn left onto North Elkins Road
Turn left onto East Pinto Place
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 23.5 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.8 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Catalina, AZ than in the middle of the route.
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 23.5 miles and 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.8 mi from Tucson, AZ · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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.
A short stop after about 23.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 11.8 miles from Tucson, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Catalina, 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 Catalina, AZ.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$4.58 one way
$9.16 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $4.94 | $9.88 |
| premium | $5.57 | $5.15 | $10.30 |
| diesel | $6.37 | $5.89 | $11.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.47 | $1.13 |
| Efficient EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.06 | $0.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.4 | 0 | $3.29 | $1.50 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Tucson on Saturday
Local time
6:33 AM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Catalina on Saturday
Local time
6:33 AM
MST
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
52°F
Casa Grande, AZ
12 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Tucson, AZ or browse trips ending in Catalina, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Tucson, AZ or Catalina, AZ on MapSof.net.
