Origin
Willcox, AZ
Evening in Willcox on Sunday
Local time
7:41 PM
MST
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Willcox, AZ to Tucson, AZ
Drive Time
1h 22m
Distance
81.3 mi
131 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 16m
★
6 AM
1h 23m
8 AM
1h 36m
10 AM
1h 27m
12 PM
1h 26m
3 PM
1h 28m
5 PM
1h 35m
8 PM
1h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Willcox, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Tucson, AZ
Abhishek Navlakha
Trip Overview
Spanning 81.3 miles across the heart of the Desert Southwest, this journey from Willcox to Tucson is a straightforward drive that typically takes about 1 hour and 22 minutes. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, as it functions perfectly as a quick transit between these two Arizona hubs. With a fuel budget of approximately $16, the route is both efficient and budget-friendly for solo travelers or families. While the trip does not cross into different regions, you will experience a clear transition from the high desert landscapes near Willcox to the expansive metropolitan environment of Tucson. It is an ideal option if you prefer to spend your time at your destination rather than behind the wheel, offering a practical alternative to longer, more complex regional traverses.
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
40.7 miles from Willcox, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route avoids major highway stretches entirely. You will navigate a series of local roads, starting on the Benson-Steins Pass Highway, transitioning to the Tucson-Benson Highway, and finishing your approach on Alvernon Way North. Because there are no long, uninterrupted highway segments, your focus will need to remain on the road as you handle the varied turns and local intersections. This configuration provides a more hands-on driving experience that differs significantly from a standard freeway commute. By staying off the major interstates, you gain a closer look at the terrain between these two cities, though you should be prepared for a slower, more deliberate pace throughout the entire 81.3-mile trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Benson-Steins Pass Highway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Willcox, AZ to Tucson, AZ is easy. At 1h 22m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Willcox, AZ to Tucson, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Benson-Steins Pass Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tucson-Benson Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Alvernon Way North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Alvernon Way | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Barraza Aviation Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Country Club Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Country Club Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Benson-Steins Pass Highway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Willcox, AZ and Tucson, AZ.
1
Start on North Haskell Avenue
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
North Haskell Avenue
2
Take the ramp left
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
3
Merge slight left onto Benson-Steins Pass Highway
34 mi
·
33 min
·
Benson-Steins Pass Highway
4
Continue on Tucson-Benson Highway
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Tucson-Benson Highway
5
Take the exit slight right toward Alvernon Way North
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Alvernon Way North
6
Turn straight onto South Alvernon Way
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Alvernon Way
7
Keep slight right to continue on South Alvernon Way
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Alvernon Way
8
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
9
Turn straight onto East Barraza Aviation Highway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Barraza Aviation Highway
10
Turn right onto South Country Club Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Country Club Road
11
Continue on North Country Club Road
92 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Country Club Road
12
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. You will not need to worry about overnight stops or extensive rest planning, as the duration is manageable even for a casual traveler. Keep in mind that because the route relies on local roads, traffic patterns can vary, so check for local congestion before you head out. Your $16 fuel estimate is a helpful benchmark, but remember to fuel up in Willcox if you prefer to avoid potential price fluctuations closer to the city. A key tip for this specific drive is to stay alert at intersections along the Tucson-Benson Highway, as the road's turn-heavy nature requires constant attention compared to a simple, straight-line highway route.
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 40.7 miles from Willcox, AZ, or about 41m into the drive.
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 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.7 miles or 41m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tucson, 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 81.3 miles and 1h 22m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.7 mi from Willcox, AZ · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 40.7 miles from Willcox, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Tucson, AZ
The final approach into Tucson, 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 Tucson, 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
$16.18 one way
$32.36 round trip
$5.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.34 | $17.09 | $34.17 |
| premium | $5.59 | $17.88 | $35.77 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.06 | $36.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.54 | $3.90 |
| Efficient EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.11 | $3.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.38 | $5.20 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% 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
Tucson, AZ
Evening in Tucson on Sunday
Local time
7:41 PM
MST
Current temp
53°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
11 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
1h 22m 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 Tucson, AZ covers 81.3 miles and takes about 1h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Benson-Steins Pass Highway, Tucson-Benson Highway, Alvernon Way North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.7 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 $16.18 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.
The drive from Willcox, AZ to Tucson, AZ is easy. At 1h 22m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Willcox, AZ to Tucson, AZ is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Willcox, AZ to Tucson, AZ does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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