Origin
Willcox, AZ
Evening in Willcox on Sunday
Local time
6:37 PM
MST
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Willcox, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
195.3 mi
314 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 16m
★
6 AM
3h 28m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 34m
3 PM
3h 38m
5 PM
3h 51m
8 PM
3h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Willcox, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Phoenix, AZ
Carter Marchant
Trip Overview
Traveling from Willcox to Phoenix covers 195.3 miles across the heart of the Desert Southwest. Expect a drive time of approximately 3 hours and 27 minutes, which fits easily into a single day of travel. You will navigate via the Tucson-Benson Highway, the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, and the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. With a fuel budget of about $39, this journey is an affordable and straightforward trek across Arizona. While you could easily complete the trip in one go, the flexible nature of the route allows you to enjoy the desert landscape at your own pace. It is a practical connection between two distinct points in the region, offering a reliable path for those looking to traverse the state efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
97.7 miles from Willcox, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Only 10% of this 195.3-mile route consists of high-speed highway, meaning you will spend most of your time navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted section you will encounter is a 54.5-mile stretch on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. Because the route is not a monotonous interstate grind, you should prepare for shifting road conditions as you transition between the various highway segments. The driving experience feels more hands-on and technical than a standard freeway cruise, so stay alert as the environment changes throughout the journey.
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 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in near I 10 BUS.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 195.3 miles you will encounter 7 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 3.7 miles (I 10 BUS): Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.3 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 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 10 BUS
Take the ramp onto I 10 BUS
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
90.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
191.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m 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
193.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m 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
194.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m 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 |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | 42.9 mi | 44m |
| Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway | 38.1 mi | 38m |
| Benson-Steins Pass Highway | 33.6 mi | 33m |
| Maricopa Freeway | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| South Freeway | 6 mi | 6m |
| North Haskell Avenue | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| South 7th Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
— 54.5 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Willcox, AZ and Phoenix, AZ.
1
Start on AZ 186; I 10 BUS
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
North Haskell Avenue
2
Take the ramp onto I 10 BUS
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
I 10 BUS
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto I 10; US 191
34 mi
·
33 min
·
Benson-Steins Pass Highway
4
Continue on I 10
43 mi
·
44 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 10
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 10
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
51 mi
·
51 min
·
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on I 10
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Maricopa Freeway
Use the none / 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 none 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 is a 3-hour and 27-minute trip, you have the advantage of scheduling your departure for whenever suits your itinerary best. You only have one planned stop on the route, so use that break wisely to stretch and refuel your vehicle. Given the $39 fuel estimate, it is smart to check your levels before leaving Willcox to ensure you don't need to hunt for gas in unfamiliar areas. Because this is a turn-heavy drive, give yourself a bit of extra time to navigate local intersections safely rather than rushing. Being flexible with your timing is the biggest benefit of this drive, allowing you to avoid peak traffic periods as you approach the Phoenix metro area.
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 97.7 miles from Willcox, AZ, or about 1h 44m 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.7 miles or 1h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 47m
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 Willcox, 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 Willcox, AZ
This is one driving day of about 195.3 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Willcox, 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 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 97.7 mi from Willcox, AZ · 1h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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 97.7 miles from Willcox, 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
$38.87 one way
$77.74 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $41.04 | $82.09 |
| premium | $5.59 | $42.96 | $85.92 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.39 | $86.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.6 | 0 | $20.51 | $9.37 |
| Efficient EV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.09 | $7.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.1 | 0 | $27.34 | $12.50 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Evening in Phoenix on Sunday
Local time
6:37 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
19 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
3h 27m 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 Willcox, AZ to Phoenix, AZ covers 195.3 miles and takes about 3h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 97.7 miles from Willcox, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.87 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 195.3 miles you will encounter 7 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 3.7 miles (I 10 BUS): Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles (I 10 / Casa Grande-Tucson Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 191.3 miles (US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Willcox, AZ to Phoenix, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Phoenix, AZ
More from Willcox, AZ
More trips to Phoenix, AZ
Explore more options from Willcox, AZ or browse trips ending in Phoenix, AZ.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse AZ road trips.
Explore maps for Willcox, AZ or Phoenix, AZ on MapSof.net.