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Trip from Glendale, AZ to Tucson, AZ

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 22m

Distance

126.6 mi

204 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 13m ★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 17m

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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city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States

Glendale, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States

Tucson, AZ

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 126.6-mile drive from Glendale, AZ, to Tucson, AZ, will take approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes. It's easily manageable as a day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $25. The route primarily utilizes the Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway, Maricopa Freeway, and the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway, offering a straightforward journey through the Desert Southwest. Given its relatively short duration and single-day feasibility, you'll have plenty of flexibility in your departure and arrival times.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

63.3 miles from Glendale, AZ

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway 54.6 mi 55m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway 37.8 mi 38m
Maricopa Freeway 16.3 mi 18m
Grand Avenue 5.9 mi 10m
North Freeway 3.6 mi 4m
Black Canyon Freeway 3.5 mi 4m
West Broadway Boulevard 2.9 mi 6m
US 60 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Casa Grande-Tucson Highway — 54.6 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 60

0.3 mi · 36 sec · Grand Avenue
2

Continue on US 60

5.5 mi · 9 min · Grand Avenue
Use the left lane.
3

Take the exit onto US 60

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 60
Toward 27th Avenue
4

Turn left onto US 60

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Thomas Road
Use the left / slight left lanes.
5

Turn right onto US 60

0.3 mi · 28 sec · North Black Canyon Highway
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 17 South
7

Merge onto I 17; US 60

3.5 mi · 4 min · Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 17; US 60

16 mi · 18 min · Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 10

38 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 10

55 mi · 55 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 10

3.6 mi · 4 min · North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 44 sec
Exit 258 Toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn straight onto North Freeway Road

159 ft · 4 sec · North Freeway Road
14

Turn left onto West Congress Street

0.3 mi · 56 sec · West Congress Street
15

Continue on West Broadway Boulevard

2.9 mi · 6 min · West Broadway Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
16

Turn left onto North Country Club Road

131 ft · 8 sec · North Country Club Road
17

Arrive at destination

North Country Club Road

Trip Plan

Given this is a relatively short, 2-hour trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, perhaps aiming for a mid-morning departure to avoid rush hour in Glendale. There are no designated stops in the data, so plan your breaks as needed, especially since the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 50 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $25, and consider fueling up before leaving Glendale to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted drive to Tucson.

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 63.3 miles from Glendale, AZ, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 28 miles or 37m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 63.3 miles or 1h 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 1h 54m

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 Glendale, 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 Glendale, AZ

This is one driving day of about 126.6 miles and 2h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Glendale, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway for about 54.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Pinal County, Arizona, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Casa Grande, AZ

63 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 Tucson, AZ

69.5 mi · 1h 20m

Pacing Suggestions

Sun Lakes, AZ

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Arizona City, AZ

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63.3 miles from Glendale, AZ, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 18.1

Tempe, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+14805657081

Visit website

Enchanted Island Amusement Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 9

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+16022541200

Visit website

Arizona History Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 126.6

Tucson, Arizona

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+15206285774

Visit website

Villago Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 54.2

Casa Grande, Arizona

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+15204218600

Visit website

Tempe Festival of the Arts

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 18.1

Tempe, Arizona

+14803556060

Visit website

Arizona Science Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 9

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: 10:30 am–4 pm

+16027162000

Visit website

Amusement Park Rides RandRrides(Phoenix Park & Swap)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 18.1

Phoenix, Arizona

Hours: Closed

+14809958653

Visit website

Tempe Town Lake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 18.1

Tempe, Arizona

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.4 and 122.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
6.4 mi into trip | ~11m in | US 60 / West Thomas Road

Turn left onto US 60 / West Thomas Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / slight left lanes.
5
6.6 mi into trip | ~12m in | US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway

Turn right onto US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway

Navigation decision point

5
6.9 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 17 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 17 South
5
7 mi into trip | ~12m in | I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway

Merge onto I 17; US 60 / Black Canyon Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
122.9 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Take the exit toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 258 Toward Congress Street, Broadway Boulevard

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.22 one way

$50.44 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.36 $26.69 $53.38
premium $5.59 $27.87 $55.73
diesel $5.61 $27.95 $55.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 38 0 $13.29 $6.08
Efficient EV 31.7 0 $11.08 $5.06
EV Truck/SUV 50.6 0 $17.72 $8.10

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 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.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Glendale, AZ

Night in Glendale on Saturday

Local time

11:03 PM

MST

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Tucson, AZ

Night in Tucson on Saturday

Local time

11:03 PM

MST

Current temp

76°F

Sunny

NW 6 to 10 mph 0% chance 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

12 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 22m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

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 56.7
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 near mile 126.6
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" with a 19% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.6 miles on the Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. This means you'll experience a mix of faster-paced highway segments interspersed with more local road driving, requiring your attention to speed limits and turns. The road character shifts as you move south, transitioning from the urban edges of Phoenix towards the desert landscapes surrounding Tucson.

Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.6 mi on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in near US 60 / West Thomas Road.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 22m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 6.4 miles (US 60 / West Thomas Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

About the Cities

Arriving in Tucson, AZ

Full guide →

Tucson (TOO-sawn), also known as the "Old Pueblo", is the second-largest city in the state of Arizona and the county seat of Pima County in the Sonoran Desert. It is at a higher elevation than nearby Phoenix and is correspondingly cooler. Although with half a million residents it is smaller than the capital city, its cultural life is just as vibrant.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 22m. Total distance: 126.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (19%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.6 miles on Casa Grande-Tucson Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 6.4 miles (US 60 / West Thomas Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (US 60 / North Black Canyon Highway): Navigation decision point; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Yes — Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and Saguaro National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Tucson, AZ before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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